On Duty- On Wheels: Commercial Vehicles Used by Indian Army

As we commemorate National Indian Army Day, we take a moment to appreciate the strength of our brave soldiers. But behind the scenes, there's an unsung hero that plays a mandatory role in their operations - the commercial vehicles. From transporting troops to carrying essential supplies, these vehicles are the backbone of logistics in the Indian Army, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.

These commercial vehicles, often overlooked, are the silent warriors on the battlefield. They come in various forms - trucks, jeeps, and even heavy-duty tank transporters. Each one is built with a specific purpose in mind, be it navigating through tough terrains, transporting critical supplies, or evacuating wounded soldiers. Their reliability and durability under extreme conditions make them an indispensable part of the Indian Army's operations.

Indian Army Commercial Vehicle Types

In the following sections, we will explore the different types of commercial vehicles used by the Indian Army and understand their pivotal role in safeguarding our nation.

Armoured Vehicles-

Armoured vehicles provide enhanced protection and firepower. They are designed to withstand impacts from artillery and are often used in frontline engagements. The Indian Army uses a variety of armoured vehicles, including the Kalyani M4 and the Mahindra Armada.

• Kalyani M4- The Kalyani M4 is a special vehicle made by Kalyani Group's Bharat Forge, and it's a lot like South Africa's Mbombe 4. This vehicle is mainly for keeping people safe and getting them out of dangerous situations. It's speedy, easy to move around, and can carry up to 8 people with a maximum weight of 2.3 tonnes. With all its protective armour, the M4 weighs about 16,000 kg. It's tough, too – it can handle three 10 kg TNT charges under its wheels and a 50 kg IED Blast on one side.
• Mahindra Armada- Now, let's talk about the Mahindra Armada. It's a tough vehicle developed by Mahindra that offers really good protection against bullets and bombs up to a certain level. It's handy for different jobs like patrolling dangerous areas, special forces missions, and quick reaction teams. This vehicle can also carry weapons, gather information, guard borders, and be part of raids in open or desert areas.

High Mobility Vehicles

High-mobility vehicles are designed for quick deployment and can operate in various terrains. The Indian Army plans to buy 2,150 such vehicles, which can be deployed to transport payloads of not less than 8,000 kg.

BEML Tatra T815- The BEML Tatra T815 is a special vehicle used by the Indian Army. It's made for moving people around and can carry up to 8,500 kg on regular roads and 5,000 kg off-road. This vehicle is also good for towing trailers, handling up to 65,000 kg on public roads and 16,000 kg in rough terrain.

Light Tactical Vehicles

Light tactical vehicles are smaller, highly mobile military vehicles. They are often used for surveillance, command and control, and special operations. The Indian Army uses vehicles like the Tata Merlin LSV for these purposes.

Tata Merlin LSV: The Tata Merlin LSV is a special vehicle made by Tata specifically for the Indian armed forces. It runs on a strong 3.3-litre diesel engine that can produce 185 horsepower and 450 Newton-meters of torque. This vehicle is equipped with a 7.6mm machine gun and a 40mm grenade launcher on the roof, making it ready for various tasks.

The Merlin LSV is great for carrying soldiers and delivering supplies. It's built tough, with protection on the sides and rear, meeting high NATO standards. This means it can resist bullets and grenades, and it can even be fitted with different weapons. When it starts being used, it's expected to be used for moving troops around and might even see action in combat.

Logistics Vehicles

Logistics vehicles are used for the transportation of troops, equipment, and supplies. The Indian Army uses a variety of logistics vehicles, including the Stallion 4x4 Truck and the Ashok Leyland 5kl Water Bowser.

• Stallion 4x4 Truck: The Stallion 4x4 Truck is a medium-duty defence vehicle used by the Indian Army for various purposes. It can operate in different terrains, from coastal areas to high-altitude bases, and is suitable for deserts and snow-covered mountain regions. The truck works well at altitudes up to 5,500 meters and can handle temperatures ranging from -35 to 55 °C.
• Ashok Leyland 5kl Water Bowser: The Ashok Leyland 5kl Water Bowser is a part of the Stallion vehicle range and is also used by the Indian Army. It is designed to carry water and has both logistical and tactical applications. This vehicle is built for reliability, high mobility, off-road capabilities, and protection. It is specifically created to operate in challenging environments and is easy to maintain in areas where supporting infrastructure may be limited or absent.

Simulator Vehicles

Simulator vehicles are used for training purposes. They provide a safe and controlled environment for soldiers to practice driving and operating various military vehicles. The Indian Army uses a variety of simulators for training, including those for light utility vehicles, artillery tractors, mobility trucks, ambulances, utility trucks, and light armoured vehicles.

Tracked Vehicles

Tracked vehicles are military vehicles that use continuous tracks instead of wheels for mobility. They are often used in environments where wheels would need to be more effective. The Indian Army uses a variety of tracked vehicles, including the Arjun Main Battle Tank.

Arjun Main Battle Tank: The Arjun Main Battle Tank is a modern tank made by the DRDO for the Indian Army. It's named after Arjuna, a heroic archer from an ancient Indian story called Mahabharata.

This tank comes with a powerful 120 mm main gun, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and another 12.7 mm machine gun. It's got a strong engine that can go as fast as 70 km/h on regular roads and 40 km/h off-road. The tank needs a crew of four people: a commander, a gunner, a loader, and a driver.

When tested in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, the Arjun tank showed better accuracy and mobility compared to the Russian-designed T-90 tanks that the Indian Army also uses.

Conclusion-

In wrapping up our look at "Commercial Vehicles Used by the Indian Army," we see how these vehicles quietly but powerfully support our nation's defence. In tough terrains or challenging missions, these wheels help our armed forces to work smoothly.

As we honour our soldiers on National Indian Army Day, let's also appreciate these vehicles – the unsung heroes – for their reliability. They represent duty, strength, and unity, reflecting the commitment of our armed forces to keep our country safe.