Tata Motors Unveil New Combat Vehicles At Defexpo 2014

Tata Motors has unveiled two new combat vehicles at the DEFEXPO 2014, currently taking place in New Delhi, India.

The company has showcased the Kestrel, a wheeled armoured vehicle and the LAMV (Light Armoured High Mobility Vehicle) recon vehicle.

Designed and developed indigenously with DRDO, Kestrel, a wheeled armoured vehicle amphibious platform provides mobility to frontline soldiers, carrying them into the battle zone, with critical armour-protection, backed with adequate fire support. And has optimised survivability, all-terrain performance and increased lethality. The occupant capacity of the hull is 12 members.

The driver in combat mode has visibility through 3 periscopes and a display catching vision through front and rearview cameras, with day and night vision. The back-to-back seating layout allows firing through the 3-gun ports on each side, with two big hatches for patrolling. The fuel tanks are placed outside the crew compartment for additional safety. The 8x8 independently suspended vehicle has high power-to-weight ratio for mountain terrains. The vehicle can accommodate different variety of weapon stations and turrets as the application demands.

The other vehicle, LAMV vehicle, developed indigenously with technical inputs from Supacat of the UK, it offers vital reconnaissance mobility, protection and firepower. A mine-protected light patrol vehicle, the LAMV combines an integrated blast and ballistic protection system, including a protected all- composite detachable crew pod and V-shaped hull, providing an all-round protection.

Ravi Pisharody, executive director, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, was quoted as saying by Autocar pro: “Tata Motors has been associated with the country's defence and security forces for over 60 years, supplying a range of world-class, high technology and reliable off-road mobility solutions. While focusing on the modernisation and system upgrades of the country’s mobility platforms, we have strategically moved from being a logistics support provider to a frontline combat vehicle player. The two vehicles showcased are state-of-the-art, targeted at giving our forces the much-needed capabilities of strategic mobility for rapid offensive thrusts into enemy territory.”