The forgotten LSV Replacement project for Indian Army

The forgotten LSV Replacement project for Indian Army 

Indian army plans to procure some unknown number of light specialist vehicles which can work along with older Mahindra 550. However with improved mobility and light assault support. Army initially floated the tender back in 2010, which is revived later in 2012, when Indian automobile companies like TATA and Mahindra shown interest. It's in 2016 the program yet to be completed.

Indian Army uses the Mahindra 550 for light utility purpose, the M 550 deployed in borders comes with a INSAS LMG for self protection and act as a bullet proof can sustain from small arms fire. some associated with the officers transportation.

As per army RFI the LSV has unladen weight of some 3.5 ton with loading capacity of 1.2 tons which include enough room for six fully armed army soldiers. LSV also capable to conduct reconnaissance and patrol in all rough conditions, provide space and cross mobility in all terrains which include high altitude area's like Kashmir and desert fields. 

In the first RFI, many foreign nations responded with numerous model of 4x4 light specialty vehicles, which include Kamaz from Russia, Land rover from UK, However Army cancelled the RFI after Indian private players like Mahindra and TATA shown interest in LSV program and offers their own model.

TATA offered a new model vehicle, which is looks similar like the American hummerhowever smaller in size, The LSV shown impressive results during the tests conducted by army evaluation team. TATA LSV has two hard points for fire support, one on the side door and another on top. the vehicles also customized as open back and encircled for protection.

Mahindra offered the Axe series, which is a slight improved version of the older 550 series in service with Army. Mahindra AXE also shares similar characteristics with the TATA LSV. however the engine in the axe is a derived version of 2.7L Mercedes Engine for better performance.

During the winter trails in early 2012 that Indian LSV's shown better performance along with foreign models, Army shortlisted four contenders for the trails, which include TATA LSV, Mahindra Axe, Deftech Flyer from Malaysia and Land rover defender, After the revised RFI all foreign vendors eliminated which makes Indian private players are the only runners.

Later years army evaluated the Mahindra and TATA very much, however Army didn't announced who selected to supply undisclosed number of LSV to Army.  Later Ashok leyland itself offered his new model for Army LSV program, However the details of the army evaluation and field trails are unknown.

In 2014, There is report cited that the LSV order numbers could be 3500 units and the estimated cost is nearly 4000 crores. the report also added Ashok leyland also running in the tender along with Mahindra and TATA.

It's once again reported in early February last year, that army refreshing the LSV tender and soon to announce the winner, before buying in large numbers. however even after six year the deal still on frozen condition. 

Ashok Leyland LSV

TATA LSV

Airbus and Mahindra Jointly proposes EC 725 for Navy

Airbus and Mahindra Jointly proposes EC 725 for Navy

    The French firm Airbus and the Indian Private company Mahindra's subsidiary Mahindra Defense Jointly Proposes EC 725 Caracal for Naval utility Helicopter Tender, Recently the Navy selects the American firm Sirkosky to supply 16+8 Naval multi role Helicopters to the Navy's front line war Ship, who runs without proper heliborne SONAR or ASW crafts.

   The Indian Navy operates  nearly 40 of French made HAL built Chetaks  helicopters for Naval multi role support, which is almost vintage as same as the Army operating, where that tender was again and again floated and canceled, they did that more than three times. the Same Navy also wants to replace those Chetak Helicopters from it's fleet by inducting more advanced Naval utility Helicopters, 

    Back in the 2012, the Navy float a Tender to acquire 56 Naval Multirole Helicopters for nearly some $ 1 Billions, which is under direct sale through RFP ,but no Make in India and Tot will be added with that contract, and the DAC cancels the same tender by 2014, when the Coast Guard also raised flag by their aging  Chetaks needed to be replaced, so DAC plans to float a Tender which can be replace all those Chetak helicopters from the Naval and Coast guard fleet, that numbers crosses more than Hundred, so it's better to make a contract under Make in India program,

     After PM went France and Airbus Industry, He were toured to the EC 725 Helicopter one of the largest Naval Utility Aircraft can also be used as a Troop transporter, basically good for Both naval and Air purpose, and the Airbus formally announces that they were interested to participate the Naval Utility Tender under Make in India Movement.

       The Airbus Just released a note about the Joint venture of Airbus and Mahindra Defense that both were almost in Agreement level to initiate a Company in India to build Helicopters in India. both were not disclosed the amount of partnership.  as per Airbus they says " The joint venture will be dedicated to supplying the Indian Armed Forces with Made-in-India, state-of-the-art helicopters of high reliability, quality and safety standard based on combat-proven platforms.”

       Airbus not only mentioned about the Naval Utility Helicopters,the also sounded about the canceled Army's 197 LUH tender, and the Naval Multi role Helicopter, where the S 70 already selected over the Airbus NH 90. 

     Mahindra is also not a new to Aerospace sector, where they have more than 2,00,000 employees all over the world, and have a Aerospace facility in Australia, where one is used to produced medium planes, and they almost near to completion of  their second unit in Bangalore. Mahindra designed four Planes, and one with NAL ( National Aerospace Limited ) for testing purpose, and in special, Mahindra Airvan has more than 210 units flying all over the world,

      So both seems good in Track record, and if the JV went successful, both Navy and Army gets good number of Helicopters from Indian Market, with discounted price, The Navy expected to float the LUH Tender again by 2016, So it's needed both will inaugurate the JV soon.

    The EC 725 is a Good Helicopter can be used from Sea shores, with the Heavy in size, the Helicopter gets more than 900 kilometers, with the full load and speed of some 300 kilometers.It comes with two 12.7 mm Machine gun for close support and Anti piracy operations, also can launch two exocet Anti ship cruise missile for Anti Shipping mission.