Ashok Leyland targets export markets for defence vehicles

The Hinduja Group flagship, Ashok Leyland, is participating at IDEX 2005, the international defence exhibition being held at Abu Dhabi between February 13 and February 17, 2005. As its commercial vehicles have found a place in the markets of West Asia and Africa, Leyland finds considerable scope for its defence vehicles too.

"Our defence vehicles have proved themselves over the varying terrain of the Indian sub-continent, from sea level to an altitude of 15,000 ft and in temperatures from a frigid — 30 degrees C to a scorching 55 degrees C. We are confident our vehicles meet the performance requirements of the prospective markets. The Stallion 4x4 is currently undergoing trials in Kenya and other African countries, with encouraging results", said Leyland's managing director R Seshasayee.

A pioneer in the design, development and manufacture of specialised defence vehicles for over three decades, Ashok Leyland has partnered the Indian army in its vehicle fleet modernisation programme. Over 30,000 special purpose vehicles — Stallion 4x4, light recovery vehicles, crash fire tenders and truck fire fighters are already doing duty in Africa and West Asia, with high mobility vehicles (6x6) and water bowsers approved for induction.

It already exports to over 40 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North America. SAARC countries, especially Bangladesh, Nepal, Mauritius and Sri Lanka as well as Saudi Arabia, Seychelles and Egypt dominate the company's growing export market. Ashok Leyland has a 70 per cent market share in the Dubai and Mauritius bus markets, as also in the 7-16T goods and passenger segment in Sri Lanka. It is completing the supply of 3,322 trucks to Iraq - the largest ever single order for Indian commercial vehicles. During April '04 to Jan '05, exports accounted for 4,970 vehicles out of a total sale of 41,872 vehicles.