Article Posted on : - Feb 16, 2010

A File Photo.

NEW DELHI (PTI): Ashok Leyland, the largest supplier of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army, Tuesday unveiled an Armoured Stallion, an Armoured Bus and a Mine Protected Vehicle here.

"Our entry into armoured vehicles is in answer to an ever-increasing demand from the armed forces for well-engineered, high-mobility, high protection, tactical vehicles that can be used in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations," the company's Chief Operating Officer Vinod K Dasari said at the Defexpo.

"Over the last three decades we have been playing a pivotal role in the modernisation of the Indian Army and with these new tactical offerings and more on the anvil, we are well-placed to engage the armed forces on more fronts in terms of product opportunities and also look at new geographies."

The company has over 55,000 special purpose vehicles in service with the defence forces that include the Stallion 4x4, Light Recovery Vehicles, Water Bowzers, Truck Fire Fighters and Field Artillery Tractors, officials said.

All the three new products showcased at the expo have been developed using the standard Stallion trucks and components to ensure commonality of items, easy maintenance and repairs, thereby significantly improving the serviceability of the vehicles, th company said.

The MPV offers protection against 7.62 mm, 5.56 INSAS and 7.62 AK-47/56 rifle bullets and ensures double anti-tank mine blast protection, company officials said.