Tata Motors bags repeat order from Indian Army for 6x6 trucks

Tata Motors has bagged a follow-on contract from the Indian Army for the supply of additional 619 units of its high-mobility vehicles (HMV) 6X6 multi-axle truck. Being built with a material handling crane, the Tata 6X6 HMV is meant for the loading-unloading and transportation of ammunition pallets, spares and other operational equipment.

The latest deal is in conjunction to an earlier order for 1,239 units of 6X6 HMVs awarded to Tata Motors in July last year. The order, worth Rs 900 crore, was the single largest awarded to an Indian private OEM in land systems under the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) by the Indian Army.

Developed indigenously, the Tata 6x6 high mobility all-terrain all-wheel drive vehicle, has completed a total trial duration of 25 months, demonstrating maximum performance in the most demanding conditions. Capaable of coping with extreme on or off-road loads, these vehicles have undergone trials like water-fording, on cross-country terrains and plains and put thru at VRDE’s (Vehicle Research & Development Establishment) torture track in Ahmednagar.

Commenting on the latest deal, Vernon Noronha, vice president, Defence & Government Business, Tata Motors said, “We at Tata Motors are extremely encouraged by the country’s thrust towards ‘indigenization’, which not only helps strengthen the country’s defence manufacturing base, but also emphasizes on cost effective maintenance, serviceability and upgradation of defence equipment. With this contract we are proud to have received an additional order for 619 units, of our indigenously developed Tata 6 X 6 high-mobility vehicle, having cleared rigorous trials and successfully competed against products from rival bidders, from top European and global defence companies, underlining the stringent requirements of the Indian army, and the global standards of our defence offerings. In line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, we will continue to focus on further developing a comprehensive range of defence vehicles right here in India, including front line combat vehicles such as the FICV, to meet the evolving requirements of defence forces in India, and around the world.”

The Tata 6X6, which is built on the Prima truck platform, is designed for easy operability. It is also easy to maintain due to accessibility to its aggregates. The vehicle cabin is modular with HVAC and is fully ready for up-armoring.

A High ground clearance enables the vehicle to better negotiate gradients, sand dunes, off-road terrains, and trenches, with higher water & mud fording capabilities, whilst carrying designated military payloads. The vehicle is also fitted with a central tire inflation system (CTIS), allowing the driver to adjust the tyre pressure from his seat, for better traction on different surfaces, especially when carrying vital and heavy loads.

The vehicle is also capable of achieving sustained speeds of 40 kph on cross country terrains. The Self-Recovery Winch assists in extraction of the vehicle (including other vehicles in the convoy) during operations.

Tata Motors has defence vehicle manufacturing facilities in Jamshedpur and Pune, while the previous order of 1,239 trucks was manufactured in its Dharwad plant, Karnataka.

Also read: Tata Motors and Bharat Forge join hands to strengthen bid for FICV program