The threats in the modern battlefield have changed drastically. The sight of paramilitary forces moving around the terrorism-affected Kashmir Valley or Naxalite-infested states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Orissa in their patrolling vehicles is commonplace. Yet, inadequately protected vehicles result in the forces suffering maximum casualties on account of sniper fire or landmine blasts.
A modest beginning is being made to protect the troops deployed in hostile zones by equipping them with armoured vehicles with bullet, mine and blast proof capabilities. Shri Lakshmi Defense Solutions has introduced a range of armoured vehicles for enhancing the combat efficiency of police forces engaged in major anti-naxalite operations in the rebel strongholds across the country.
The move comes in the wake of the US Army hard-selling its eight-wheeled Stryker armoured combat vehicles to the Indian defence establishment. Produced by General Dynamics Land Systems, the vehicle comprises a thick armour suite designed to stop 14.5 mm armour-piercing machine-gun rounds and artillery fragments. Extensive computer support helps soldiers fight the enemy while reducing friendly fire incidents. A day-night thermal imaging camera allows the vehicle commander to identify the enemies as well.
But closer home, the buzz in defence circles is around the latest offerings from Shri Lakshmi Defense Solutions. The company?s director, Anil Kumar Verma, says, ?We have introduced a new range of indigenously designed models based on advanced armoured vehicle technology for armed and police forces. These include ?Dhruv? armoured troop carrier, ?Drona? blast and mine-proof vehicle and ?Viper? fast moving attacking vehicle.?
Company officials maintain that these vehicles are equipped to aid the security forces in countering ever-increasing security threats from Naxalite groups and other terrorist outfits.
Despite a heavy payload capacity, these vehicles can smoothly run at a speed exceeding 165 kmph on a wide terrain. The side-walls, including the vehicle?s belly are made of blast protective materials including steel, which provide superior protection against heavy blasts.
Senior army officers inform that these vehicles have been designed to meet the compelling requirements of armed forces engaged in maintaining law and order in various parts of the country. However, these vehicles are fit for small unit operations in highly restricted rural and urban environments that include mounted patrols, reconnaissance and convoy protection.
Interestingly, the chassis for the vehicles has been imported from Ford Motors and General Motors. These are then fabricated indigenously at the company?s plant in the country. The armouring itself could cost anywhere between Rs 50 lakh to over Rs 1 crore, depending upon the accessories for threat level embedded in the vehicles.
As a mine protection vehicle, ?Drona? is based on creating the maximum distance and protection between the seat of a cabin and mine explosion. The front fenders and the hood are attached to the chassis to reduce the shock against blast, transmitted to the cabin. The front wheel base, are located forward of the crew cabin and when selected, a ?V? shape-armouring cell protects the rear wheels, so that if a mine detonates under the wheel, the burst of explosion is diverted outwards, thus minimising the damage to the crew cabin. On the other hand, ?Dhruv? is an ideal patrol vehicle for the paramilitary forces. It has comfortable seating for a fully equipped response team of 10 to 12 men and is based on the Ford F550 American chassis. The air-conditioned vehicle with rotating turrets and a large armoured glass can also run on flat tyres. After armouring, the vehicle has an excess payload of four tonne with a top speed of 95 kmph.
It is seen that the biggest challenge facing any armoured vehicle maker is coping with the additional weight inherently found with greater protection. With ballistic steel and ballistic glass found in most of the armoured vehicles, the net result is that the vehicle can weigh up to an additional 2 to 3 tonne on top of the stock vehicle. Without properly reengineered suspensions, brakes, tires and engine cooling, such vehicles tend to sag, bog down and in some cases, even rollover when taking corners.
No wonder, work is at hectic pace on the technology front to come up with vastly superior armoured vehicles. For instance, International Armored Group has up armoured and reengineered the Toyota Land Cruiser to withstand attacks from aggressive armour piercing rounds fired from assault and sniper rifles. And with heads of state and industry tycoons from all over the globe making up the client list, the latest offering from Mercedes-Benz grabs quick attention too. The company?s Pullman limousine boasts of armour which can resist small-arms projectiles. It provides protection against fragments from hand grenades and other explosive charges. Other safety features include run-flat tyres and a fire-extinguishing system.
In short, armoured vehicles with ballistic and blast protection is the way forward for the country?s embattled forces.
