Tata Motors to deliver 1st lot of heavy mobility vehicles to Army by Dec

Tata Motors today said it will deliver the first lot of all terrain heavy mobility vehicles to the defence forces by December.
The company has won Rs 900 crore worth of orders for over 1,200 all-terrain 6x6 heavy mobility vehicles from the Defence Ministry to be delivered over next two years.
"The Army has been importing and assembling 6 by 6 and 8 by 8 vehicles from Czechoslovakia for last 20 years.
Recently, the Centre opened up competition to indigenous players and Tata motors and ordinance factory board as well as Tatra from Czechoslovakia," VS Noronha, Vice President, Defence & Government Business, Tata Motors told PTI.

"On opening of commercial bids, Tata Motors was lower than the defence sector undertaking by at least Rs 20 lakh per vehicle. This is the benefit of make in India that is ultimately going to be benefiting the Army," he said.
"These are 6x6 all-terrain heavy mobility vehicles and they are fitted with material handling cranes for loading and unloading of stores, weapons, ammunition and others. They are the backbone of forward logistics chain of the Army,"he added.

"As per the contract, approximately 40 units have to be delivered by December this year. Even contractually, we have two years to complete but we expect that we will be able to deliver before deadline. We are also expecting follow on order," he said,

These vehicles will be manufactured at the Jamshedpur facility, and the company is trying for 95 per cent indigenisation by the end of the contract.
"Previously we were supplying vehicles in the logistics segment like 4 by 4 troop carriers, load carriers. The current order is an upgrade. The 6 by 6 vehicles move behind the combat vehicles. They have high mobility and far higher pay loads. They are fitted with 380 HP engine," Noronha said.
After successful bidding for the all terrain vehicles, Tata Motors is aiming to win contract under the Defence Ministry's future infantry combat vehicle programme (FICV).

"As of now, overall not much of Tata business comes from the defence sector but we plan to grow and the government is giving us opportunities. The biggest opportunity that has come in our way is the future infantry combat programme we have issued expression of interest," the official said.
"FICV is worth Rs 50,000 crore spread over 25 years. Tata Motors will lead group of Tata companies in the defence base and together we will bid for this programme. Our competition will come from OFB, L&T RPT L&T, Mahindra & Mahindra," he said.
Noronha stated that the bids for the program are due on October 14.

"The government will take six months to down select two development agencies. The best part of the program is that it is fully funded by the Centre. R&D would be by selected company and government," he added.