Mahindra Defense System (MDS), a Mahindra & Mahindra subsidiary, has been awarded a massive contract by the Ministry of defense to build Armoured Tactical Vehicle, especially Light Strike Vehicles (LSV) for the Indian armoured forces. The contract is worth Rs 1,056 crore and MDS will provide 1,300 LSVs for the Indian Army by 2025. These LMVs will serve in many fighting units to carry medium machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, and anti-tank guided missiles.
The Ministry of Defence had invited open tender for this wherein the vehicles were put through difficult trials under different operating conditions and terrains including high altitude, deserts, and plains and the Mahindra's LSV was the only vehicle that passed all the Field, Ballistics, and Technical trials. MDS claims that the modular design of the LSV makes it ‘future proof’, which means it is competent for future enhancements.
For the people not in know, one version of the Mahindra LSV is already in service with the Indian Battalion deployed in UN Peacekeeping mission in Africa. Even those countries which have friendly relations with us are also enquiring about this vehicle that indicates the export potential of this made-in-India armored vehicle.
Commenting on the contract, the Chairman of MDS Ltd. SP Shukla, said –
“This contract truly signifies the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It is the first major contract for the advanced armoured tactical vehicles that are designed and developed by the private sector in India with intellectual property rights within the country. This contract paves the way for large scale adoption of Indian platforms with indigenous capabilities.
