Tata Motors, the country’s largest automotive manufacturer, has won a follow-on contract from the Indian Army to supply 619 units of its high-mobility vehicle (HMV) 6X6 multi-axle truck. The financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

Built with a material handling crane, the Tata 6X6 HMV is meant for loading and unloading and transportation of ammunition pallets, spares and other operational equipment, Tata Motors said in a release.

This is in conjunction to an earlier order awarded to Tata Motors for 1,239 units of its 6X6 HMV, and is the single largest order awarded to an Indian private Original Equipment Manufacturer in land systems by the Indian Army, under the Indian Ministry of Defence DPP (Defence Procurement Procedure), it said.

“With this contract we are proud to have received an additional order for 619 units, of our indigenously developed Tata 6X6 high-mobility vehicle, having cleared rigorous trials and successfully competed against products from rival bidders, from top European and global defence companies, underlining the stringent requirements of the Indian army, and the global standards of our Defence offerings,” Tata Motors Vice-President (Defence & Government Business) Vernon Noronha said.

“In line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, we will continue to focus on further developing a comprehensive range of defence vehicles right here in India, including front line combat vehicles such as the FICV (fighting infantry combat vehicle), to meet the evolving requirements of defence forces in India, and around the world,” he added.

The Tata 6X6 high mobility all-terrain all-wheel drive vehicle has been designed to cope with extreme on- and off-road loads and have gone through trials including deep water-fording, on cross country terrains and plains and put through Vehicle Research & Development Establishment torture track.

rajesh.kurup@thehindu.co.in

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