Tata Motors develops mine protected vehicle for defence use

Tata Motors today announced the launch of a mine protected vehicle (MPV) for defence use, marking its entry in the frontline combat vehicles business. The vehicle has been displayed at the ongoing DEFEXPO India 2010 in New Delhi.

Tata Motors already supplies a range of troop carriers and logistics vehicles to India's defence and paramilitary forces and the launch of the combat and tactical vehicles and equipment will allow it to leverage the entire defence mobility spectrum, the company said in a release.

"Our aim is to participate in the entire defence value chain. Besides consolidating our traditional supplies, going forward we will also participate in creating vehicles and equipment specific to the defence sector as also offer our expertise in upgrades and life extension programmes. In addition to our own initiatives, we will form appropriate partnerships and harness the capabilities of our own subsidiaries and other Tata Group companies," P M Telang, managing director (India operations) of Tata Motors, said.

"The Tata Mine Protected Vehicle is based on modular flexibility and integrates V shaped hull blast protection technology, ideally suited for counter-insurgency operations," the release said, adding, "The two roof-top hatches for observation, 9 firing ports and a 360-degree roof mounted rotating turret for an LMG/HMG weapon ensures maximum fire power."

The MPV has an all round NIJ Level 3 BP protection and customer/mission specific underbelly blast protection system.

The air-conditioned crew cabin can also be used as a command post, emergency evacuation ambulance or a troop carrier. Crew and seating layouts from 8 to 12 troops can meet these varied operational requirements.