Mahindra Defence attracted lot of visitors with its proven armored capsule-based light bullet-proof vehicle – Marksman. The vehicle provides protection to the personnel of Defence, Paramilitary and Police forces against small arms fire and grenade attacks. It has capability to be used in counter-terrorist as well as conventional roles. “Marksman gives protection against 2 hand grenades of HE36/M36 intensity denoted under the belly of the vehicle”, said Satyendra Pandit, Head Sales, Marketing, After Sales Service and Corporate Affairs, Mahindra Defence Land Systems India Ltd.
Notably Marksman, India’s first CMVR-approved armoured vehicle, was designed for use by paramilitary forces (State police forces) and is already deployed in large numbers in Mumbai and Kolkatta. It can withstand three direct hits of 7.62 x 39m (AK) / 7.62mm x 51mm NATO ball at a distance of 10m at 90 degree angle of attack on sides. Similarly, it can withstand three direct hits of 7.62mm x 51mm NATO ball / 7.62mm x 39mm (AK-47) at a distance of 10m at 45 degress angle of attack.
The Marksman uses a mHawak, 2.5L CRDE turbo-charged engine which is BS3 compliant. With 105bhp of power on tap at 3800rpm and 228Nm of torque between 1800-2200rpm the engine is good enough to haul the 3200kg (2600kg unladen + 600kg of payload) vehicle. The car can seat 6 [2 (driver, co-driver) + 4 (rear)]. The car has a 5 speed manual gearbox and 4 wheel drive along with power steering. Air conditioning is available as an option.
The independent suspension (front) and rigid leaf spring along with shock absorber (rear) ensure this heavy vehicle will stay put on the road under any condition. All vehicles come with standard alloy wheels. The Marksman can hit a top speed of 120 km/h.
Rich heritage
Mahindra Defence Land Systems also offers mine-protected vehicle, light armoured multi-roll vehicle, police special vehicle and surveillance vehicles. “Till recently we were making only passenger vehicles for the Defence. Of late, we have gotten into trucks. We are also thinking of offering certain heavy commercial vehicles to the Indian Army”, said Pandit.
Commenting on the rich heritage of Mahindra and its eventual foray into defence, Pandit explained: “As far as Defence is concerned Mahindra was the first company to supply Willy Jeeps in 1945, when it was known as Mahindra & Mohammed. Since Defence opened up to the private players Mahindra decided to have a face of the company that caters to the Defence-related activity.”
Mahindra Defence which came into existence in 1991 has group companies like Mahindra Aerospace, Mahindra Emirates Vehicle Armouring, Mahindra Naval Systems, Mahindra Telephonics Integrated Systems and Mahindra Special Services Group catering to all the three wings of Defence forces – the Army, Navy and Air Force – along with Radar and Communication and Homeland Security.