Indian Army to get more 6x6 High Mobility Vehicles to deploy along LAC

New Delhi: The Indian Army is purchasing 650 high mobility vehicles (HMV) with a 6X6 configuration and material handling crane (MHC) capabilities to be deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Ladakh and Sikkim and the border with Pakistan. These vehicles are designed to assist the Indian Army in moving heavy equipment and munitions over difficult terrain.

This move of Indian Army has come after buying high mobility 4×4 and 6×6 trucks from Ashok Leyland for towing howitzers and artillery guns for Rs 800 crore a few weeks ago.

As per a media report, the strategic value of these HMVs in enhancing the Indian Army’s ability to move heavy ammunition over varied terrains has been emphasised by officials.

These 66 HMVs will be able to tow a minimum weight of 20 tonnes and manage payloads of at least 8,000 kg, according to a request for information (RFI) issued by the Indian Army.

The platform’s adaptability is also emphasised in the RFI, which could be modified for particular uses including troop transport and container flatbed transportation.

The vehicles must function under adverse weather conditions and be transportable by broad-gauge railway military bogeys as well as aircraft from the Indian Air Force, including the IL 76 and C 17. The HMVs must not weigh more than 24,000 tonnes as well.

By allowing material handling cranes, munitions may be loaded and unloaded more quickly and with less manual labour.

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