Tata Motors has bagged an order for the fully indigenous Tata 6×6 multi-axle high mobility mobile platforms from Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL), Bangalore, to mount radar applications meant for the Indian Air Force.
The multi-axle vehicle platform will give BEL’s radar system the mobility to be placed strategically at almost any location to detect both low-flying aircraft and ‘spy planes’ or unmanned aerial vehicles, and the ability to detect other kinds of intrusions. Tata Motors will supply 26 Tata 6×6 multi-axle vehicles to BEL.
The company is also in the process of delivering 96 ‘specialist tractors’ for the Indian Defence Forces’ “Akash” missile programme.
Mr. Vernon Noronha, Vice President – Defence & Government Business, Tata Motors, said: “Tata Motors offers a full range 6×6, 8×8 and 12×12 multi-purpose high mobility carriers, designed especially for integrating specialist rocket and missile systems. Tata 2038 6×6 vehicle platform also stands qualified by the Indian Army for GRAD BM21 Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) application after rigorous field firing evaluation trials.”
Tata Motors’ portfolio includes various applications on its multi-axle range, from missile carrier systems to a water purification system. Advanced missile programs like Brahmos, Pinnaka and Akash have been demonstrated on the company’s multi-axle platforms.
Tata Motors offers its defence customers a wide range of vehicles, in the light, medium and heavy category, having created a focused division to design and develop defence technologies and products at its manufacturing facilities in Jamshedpur and Pune. It also has a dedicated service team and network for defence products across the length and breadth of the country.
The company has the ability to mobilise adequate manufacturing capacity for defence requirements, along with dedicated exclusive infrastructure, manufacturing facilities and trained manpower, to ensure faster delivery of its defence vehicles.
The company recently delivered around 40 MPVs to the Jharkhand and Maharashtra State Police, and over 150 Tata Light Armoured Troop Carriers (LATCs) to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Gujarat State Police.