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MOTORINDIA
l
May 2012
45
Besides, Tata Motors launched
four other defence vehicles – the
Tata 12x12 Prahaar Missile Car-
rier, Tata Light Armoured Vehicle,
Tata Mobile Bunker and the Tata
6x6 7kl Refueler – and displayed a
range of other concept vehicles such
as the Tata Quick Deployment Mo-
bile Communication Terminal (QD-
MCT).
Speaking on the occasion, Mr.
P.M. Telang, Managing Director -
India Operations, Tata Motors, said:
“The launch of our new combat &
tactical vehicles and equipment, lev-
eraged from our strength in design
and development of a wide range
of commercial vehicles, now ena-
bles us to cover the entire defence
mobility spectrum. Tata Motors de-
fence solutions already covers the
complete range of logistics and ar-
moured vehicles that have also been
popular in supporting the police and
paramilitary forces in counter insur-
gency operations.”
At DEFEXPO, Tata Motors dis-
played the scaled models of its
concept futuristic infantry combat
vehicle (FICV), including the turret.
In addition, the proposed layout of
the production facility was also dis-
played.
The MBPV Project is being joint-
ly developed by VRDE-DRDO and
Tata Motors for providing the coun-
try’s elite commando forces with
a protected mobility solution that
assists them during indoor com-
bat against insurgents. The need
for this kind of a solution has been
felt desperately by commando units
that face multiple hostage situations
wherein terrorists have been holed
up inside confined premises, houses,
hotels, malls and airports.
MBPV has been designed keeping
indoor combat in mind, with special
features like bullet-resistant panels
for protection, compact dimensions
with 4-wheel assisted turning for
easy movement within indoor con-
fines and high power-to-weight ratio
for fast and agile movement, during
combat. Firing ports have also been
incorporated for retaliatory action.
Moreover, it has an added capability
of climbing stairs as well.
The company has developed an
indigenous high mobility, all-terrain
and all-wheel drive, Tata LPTA
5252-12 X12 vehicle, specifically
for missile launcher-cum-carrier ap-
plications like integration of Prahar,
BrahMos and Nirbhay Missiles, in
Mr. Ravi Pisharody, President, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit, (right), and Mr. Vernon Noronha, Head
- Defence and Government Business, Tata Motors, at the launch of Tata 12x12 Prahaar Missile Carrier at
DEFEXPO 2012
Tata Motors is one of the four
Indian companies which has
been issued the Expression
of Interest (EoI) by the Indian
Army for the FICV, a ‘Make In-
dian’ project. The company has
accordingly responded to the
EoI based on indigenous design
and development in association
with key technology partners,
and submitted its response in
October 2010.