The Indian Armed Forces have officially replaced the iconic Gypsy with the new Maruti Suzuki Jimny, as the carmaker has officially handed over 60 Jimny vehicles to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), marking the first-ever induction of the Jimny into the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF). These vehicles will be deployed along the border regions of Leh-Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
The ITBP operates in some of the most challenging terrains in India, including the high-altitude Himalayan regions with extreme weather conditions and temperatures dropping to as low as -45 degrees Celsius in winter. Their areas of operation encompass glaciers, snow-covered mountains and rugged landscapes. Such remote and often inaccessible locations demand sturdy vehicles. These vehicles will support the ITBP personnel in patrolling, border guarding, and the movement of officers and troops.
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “Today is a proud moment for Maruti Suzuki as we deliver the Jimny to the ITBP. The Jimny is an ideal vehicle to navigate the tough border terrains where the ITBP personnel dedicatedly protect our country. The Jimny, with its tagline ‘Never Turn Back’ also resonates with the determination and valour of our brave soldiers in uniform. Maruti Suzuki has a long-standing association with the Armed Forces, providing them with vehicles which they can trust.”
He added, “The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy has been a trusted companion for the Armed Forces for decades, and now with the Jimny, we take ahead this legacy to support our soldiers at the frontiers. With its internationally acclaimed all-terrain capability, the Maruti Suzuki Jimny represents our commitment to go above and beyond to assist the heroes who protect our great nation.”
What makes the Jimny special?
The Maruti Suzuki Jimny does not have a massive footprint, nor a big engine, however, its biggest advantage is its size and weight, making it a capable off-roader. The Jimny is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that makes 103bhp and 134Nm of torque, mated to a manual or an automatic torque converter gearbox.
While the specs may seem minimal on paper, the Jimny gets a capable part-time four-wheel-drive system that helps it overcome any sort of terrain. The Jimny is also equipped with a Brake-Assisted Limited Slip Differential to deliver power to the wheel that needs it the most. The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is priced at Rs 12.75 lakh onwards, ex-showroom.