Tata Motors to supply 3,192 Safari Storme SUVs to armed forces

Tata Motors has won a defence contract to supply passenger vehicles to the armed forces after the Army decided to phase out the Maruti Gypsies and replace them with heavier vehicles. 

Tata Motors on Thursday said it has signed a contract to supply 3,192 Tata Safari Storme 4x4 vehicles to the Indian Armed Forces, following a request for proposal (RFP) floated by the ministry of defence under a new category of vehicles, General Service 800 (GS800).

Tata Motors said the Safari 4x4 met all three basic criteria of the RFP – minimum payload capacity of 800 kg, hard roofs and air conditioning.

Developed indigenously, Safari Storme 4x4 has completed a total of 15 months trial duration across various terrains in the country. The vehicle had performed extremely well in the most demanding conditions with capabilities of coping with extreme on or off-road terrains, the company said in a statement.

Tata Motors had earlier supplied the Tata High Mobility Vehicle 6x6 in the 10 Tonne class as a replacement of the Army's Tatra trucks and now a replacement of Maruti Gypsy by Tata Safari Storme in the 4x4 light vehicle category, emerging as a leading supplier of mobility solutions to the Armed Forces.

''Tata Motors has been a leading supplier of mobility solutions to the Indian Armed Forces and this order is a testimony to our partnership with the country's security forces. This variant of the Storme has been modified from the one available for civilians with an upgraded drivetrain and significantly modified suspension. The Safari Storme was conceived and designed keeping in mind the need for a rugged, comfortable and reliable vehicle, making it popular with law enforcement agencies. We will shortly commence delivery of these vehicles for the Army and Navy in a phased manner,'' Vernon Noronha, vice president, Defence and Government Business, Tata Motors Limited, said.

Introduced in 2012, the Safari Storme boasts of superior on- and off-road capabilities and all-round performance. With a renewed power of 156 PS & 400 Nm torque, Storme provides easy drivability, swifter response and lower noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). With superior fuel efficiency and best-in-class ground clearance of 200mm, the 4X4 variant also features electronic shift-on-fly (ESOF) technology, enabling engagement of the 4X4 or 4X2 mode on the move.

Tata Motors' Defence Solutions offers its customers a wide range of vehicles in the light, medium and heavy category. These include logistics, tactical, armored and specialist vehicles, with lowest life-cycle maintenance cost, supported by the company's vast pan-India service network, ensuring maximum operational readiness.

Tata Motors has been associated with the country's off-road defence and security forces, since 1958 and has supplied over 1,50,000 vehicles to the Indian military and paramilitary forces, so far. The company offers 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 specialised defence vehicles to the SAARC, ASEAN and African regions. With Tata Motors' portfolio in multi-axle range like 12×12, 8×8 and 6×6, 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.