Leyland ties up with Lockheed Martin for defence vehicles

Ashok Leyland Defence Systems (ALDS), a division of the Hinduja Group's flagship company Ashok Leyland, on Tuesday said it has selected US-based Lockheed Martin to help develop light specialist vehicles and light armoured multi-purpose defence vehicles for the armed forces.

"Lockheed Martin's High Mobility Vehicle or Common Vehicle Next Generation (CVNG) will provide the base platform for this development effort," the Delhi-based firm said in a statement.

Ashok Leyland would serve as the prime contractor and provide a "high quality", "cost effective" manufacturing hub for global requirements of the vehicles, it said.

As a licensed manufacturer of CVNG, the association with Lockheed Martin opens up a huge opportunity towards exports of vehicle platform as a Made in India product, it added.

"As the largest provider of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army, Ashok Leyland has a strong portfolio in the defence sector. We are buoyant about the defence segment and expect our play to increase manifold," Ashok Leyland managing director Vinod K Dasari said.

"Our CVNG is a proven and versatile multi-terrain vehicle currently in service around the world. We are excited about the opportunities that exist to offer the CVNG to India and beyond," Lockheed Martin missiles and fire control vice-president ground vehicles Scott Greene said.