Tata Motors bags order for 1,239 6x6 trucks from the Indian Army

Team OD Published: July 10, 2015, 06:32 PM IST

Tata Motors' Defence Technology Division recently secured one of the largest orders to an Indian OEM by the Indian army. The order in question is for 1,239 units of Tata's 6x6 multi-axle trucks. These monster trucks have material handling cranes mounted for transporting various military supplies - ammunition pallets, spares and other operational equipment for the Indian Army.

These locally developed all-wheel drive trucks that will be manufactured at Tata Motors' Pune and Jamshedpur facilities, have undergone a 25 month trial period. Having been put through Vehicle Research & Development Establishment's (VRDE) torture track, they are said to be able to take on almost any terrain that comes their way.

Tata 6X6 resize

Designed for easy operation, they are fitted with a central tyre inflation system (CTIS) which allows the driver to control the tyre pressure from inside the cabin according to the terrain presented to him (much like Mercedes' 6x6). It is also fitted with a self-recovery winch, which helps in pulling itself (or other vehicles) out of a sticky situation. The cabin which is fully ready for armour upgradation is fitted with HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning).

Vernon Noronha, vice president of Tata Motors' Defence and Government Business Division, said, "We at Tata Motors are extremely proud to have bagged the single largest order among Indian OEMs from the Indian Army, for the most technologically advanced high mobility load carrier system ever built here in India. The order is a validation of our strategy and growth potential, for our durable and extensive range of defence vehicles, designed and developed with our evolving customers, including that of security forces across the world. As leading suppliers of mobility solutions to the country's security forces, we will shortly commence delivery of these high-mobility vehicles".

This all-wheel drive truck is claimed to be able to maintain a speed of 40kmph even on the most demanding terrains. Tata says they can be modified to suit various applications such as holding a common gun tower, a multi-barrel rocket launcher or even missile firing unit.

Tata Motors awarded contract for 1239 nos. of its indigenously developed 6 X 6 high-mobility multi-axle vehicles, from the Indian Army


· Order received for 6X6 High-Mobility Vehicles with Material Handling Cranes · Designed to cope with extreme on and off-road loads on a capable platform used in diverse fields of applications and tasks · Built with world-class technologies to keep these vehicle reliably on the move Mumbai, July 10, 2015: Tata Motors has bagged an order to supply around 1200 nos. of its high-mobility 6X6 multi-axle trucks, from the Indian Army – the single largest order awarded to an Indian private OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in land systems under the DPP by the Indian army. The order for 6X6 vehicles is for 'Material Handling Cranes' for the loading-unloading and transportation of ammunition pallets, spares and other operational equipment. 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. Designed to cope with extreme on or off-road loads, these vehicle have gone through trials like water-fording, on cross country terrains and plains and at VRDE's (Vehicle Research & Development Establishment) torture track. The Tata 6X6 is designed for easy operability. The vehicle is easy to maintain, due to accessibility to its aggregates. The vehicle is fitted with central tire inflation system (CTIS) for mobility in soft sand desert conditions. The CTIS allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure from his seat. The system provides the vehicle with better traction on different types of surfaces, especially when carrying vital and heavy loads. The Self-Recovery Winch assists in extraction of the vehicle (including other vehicles in the convoy) during operations. The vehicles cabin is modular with HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and is fully-ready for up-armoring. High ground clearance enables better negotiation of gradients, sand dunes, off-road terrains, trenches with higher water & mud fording capabilities, whilst carrying designated military payloads. The vehicle is also capable of achieving sustained speeds of 40 kmph, on severe cross country terrains. Mr. Vernon Noronha, Vice President, Defence & Government Business, Tata Motors Limited said, "We at Tata Motors are extremely proud to have bagged the single largest order, among Indian OEM's from the Indian army, for the most technologically advanced High Mobility Load Carrier system ever built here in India. The order is a validation of our strategy and growth potential, for our durable and extensive range of defence vehicles, designed and developed with our evolving customers, including that of security forces across the world. As leading suppliers of mobility solutions to the country's security forces, we will shortly commence delivery of these high-mobility vehicles". The Tata Motors 6X6 High-Mobility MAV can be customised for a wide range of applications such as – · CGT (Common Gun Tower) · MBRL (Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher) · MFU (Missile Firing Unit) · MSV (Missile Service Vehicle) · FSV (Field Service Vehicle) · SRSAM (Short Range Surface to Air Missile) · QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile) vehicle · LLQRM (Low Level Quick Reaction Missile) vehicle · MRV (Medium Recovery Vehicle) Tata Motors offers its defence customers with a wide range of vehicles, in the light, medium and heavy category, having created a focused division to design and develop defence technologies and products, at its manufacturing facilities in Jamshedpur and Pune. Tata Motors also has a dedicated service team and network for defence products, across the length and breadth of the country. Through HORIZONEXT, Tata Motors four-pronged customer-focused strategy, we have adopted a customer centric approach in the design and development of our mobile defence land solutions, that are reliable, offer optimum usability, and are easily serviceable, with technology at the forefront. TATA MOTORS IN THE COMBAT VEHICLE SPACE For self-reliance in the area of Combat Vehicles & Engineering, Tata Motors has laid emphasis on the development of Combat Vehicle Technologies and systems, with the aim of empowering our defence forces, with breakthrough technologies. The idea is to ensure high mobility, fire power and protection to troops during military operations, with world-class Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Hence Tata Motors is strategically moving from a logistics support provider, to a combat vehicle player. In combat vehicles, Tata Motors has designed and developed indigenously, the Wheeled Armored Platform (WHAP), an Indian Armoured Personnel Carrier, designed for optimized survivability, all terrain performance and increased lethality. Tata Motors has also developed a Light Armoured Multi-role Vehicle (LAMV), a reconnaissance vehicle, combining vital operational pre requisites of mobility, protection and firepower. Equipped with modern observation, surveillance and communication equipment, the vehicle will provide our armed forces with a technological edge necessary to achieve superiority on the battlefield. About Tata Motors Defence Solutions: Tata Motors has been associated with the country's off-road defence and security forces, since 1958 and has supplied over 1,00,000 vehicles to the Indian military and Paramilitary forces, so far. The company offers its products and services that not only meet the needs of the domestic market, but are also positioned to meet most stringent requirements across the world. Tata Motors exports its range of specialized defence vehicles to the SAARC, ASEAN and African regions. With Tata Motors rich portfolio in multi-axle range like 12x12, 8x8 & 6x6, the company has started supplying to leading Missile OEMs across the world. The company has also established itself as a supplier of specialist vehicles for UN peacekeeping missions. Tata Motors range of off-road vehicles are also being procured by the agencies involved in AID & Development, across the world like GSA, KBR, Oxfam, RONCO, RA International & Riders. About Tata Motors Tata Motors Limited is India's largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of INR 2,62,796 crores (USD 42.04 billion) in 2014-15. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, South Africa and Indonesia. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover, the business comprising the two iconic British brands. It also has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India. With over 9 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country's market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top in passenger vehicles. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, South America, Australia, CIS and Russia.