Mahindra Armored Light Specialist Vehicle (also known as Mahindra ALSV[2] or Mahindra LSV[3]) is a light-weight four-wheel drive air transportable tactical armoured specialist vehicle designed by Mahindra & Mahindra for the Indian Army and the Indian Special Forces. It's a modular type vehicle built to be maintenance friendly, and can be upgraded and configured for wide range of roles.
| Mahindra Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle | |
|---|---|
 Mahindra ALSV | |
| Type | Military 4x4 |
| Place of origin |  India |
| Service history | |
| In service | October 2020 |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Wars | Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Mahindra & Mahindra Limited |
| Manufacturer | Mahindra & Mahindra Limited |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2,500 kg curb weight |
| Length | 4.4 m |
| Width | 1.96 m |
| Height | 1.98 m |
| Armor | CEN B7 STANAG Level II |
| Engine | Steyr 3.2-litre 6 Cylinder Diesel Engine- Turbocharged[1] 215 hp @ 3600 rpm [1] |
| Payload capacity | 1,000 Kgs [1] |
| Transmission | 4 Speed Automatic [1] |
| Suspension | Bilstein Heavy Duty Suspension |
| Maximum speed | 120 kph |
Steering system | Power steering, Front wheel |
History
editThe vehicle is a derivative of Mahindra Axe. It is powered by a Steyr 3.2-litre, 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine which provides 215 hp at 3600 rpm with a peak torque of 500Nm.[4]
In March 2021, the company won a contract to supply 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles (LSV) worth ₹1,056 crore to the Indian Army.[5][6] The delivery of 50 units of the 81 mm calibre mortar-carrier variant will be completed in the last quarter of 2024 as a part of the order placed by the Indian Army. A mortar-carrier was showcased at the 75th Republic Day parade in New Delhi.[7][8]
Design
editThe Mahindra ALSV has been designed to comply with the Indian Army's future requirements of a Light Armored tactical vehicle. The ALSV comes in several variants - 6 or 8-seater Armoured Protection Vehicle, Light Armoured Ambulance, Command and Control Vehicle and Ammunition Carrier variants.[9] The ALSV offers ballistic protection of STANAG Level 1 upgradeable to CEN B7 STANAG Level II; STANAG Level II could stop a range of ammunitions including 7.62×51mm NATO caliber and heavy .50 BMG rounds.[3]
The ALSV offers ballistic protection against IEDs, hand grenades and anti personnel mines is ideally suited for patrolling in high intensity combat zones.[10]
The vehicle has a Steyr 3.2-litre, 6-cylinder multi-fuel turbodiesel engine that develops 215HP at 3,600 rpm and a peak torque of 500Nm, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.[3] It has a load capacity of 400 kg.[3]
The ALSV can also be integrated with Milan-2T ATGM launchers, grenade launcher and medium machine guns. The ATGM variant was tested in Teesta Field Firing Range by Indian Army's Trishakti Corps in February 2024.[11] Future plans for the vehicle also include integrating loitering munitions.
In 2022, a mortar-carrier variant of the ALSV was revealed. The variant was equipped with Milanion NTGS Alakran mortar system and named as Vehicle Mounted Infantry Mortar System (VMIMS). The calibre of mortar maybe 81 mm or 120 mm. The system is deployed from the rear of the vehicle using an electromechanical actuator. It takes two minutes for the system to fire 8 rounds towards enemy positions, making it an ideal "shoot and scoot" platform. It has a maximum firing range of 6.5 km to 8.2 km. The system has a sustained firing rate of 16 per minute.[12][7][13]
Variants
editThe variants of Mahindra ALSV includes : - [14][15]
- 6 or 8-seater Armoured Protection Vehicle
- Light Armoured Ambulance
- Command and Control Vehicle
- Ammunition Carrier
- Vehicle Mounted Infantry Mortar System (VMIMS): Mortar-carrier variant[7]
Operators
edit- Indian Army – Ordered 1,300 LSVs to be inducted between 2021–2025.[6][16]
- UN Peacekeeping Forces (MONUSCO) – unknown number in active service[10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Armored Light Specialist Vehicle by Mahindra Armored". Mahindra. Archived from the original on October 17, 2011.
- ^ Kapoor, Rahul (22 March 2021). "Mahindra ALSV, Kalyani M4: Highlights of Indian Army's new armoured fleet". Financial Express. Express Drives. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Indian Defence orders 1300 Mahindra LSV Light Specialist Vehicles". armyrecognition.com. 23 March 2021.
- ^ Sabyasachi Dasgupta (2020-05-30). "Why Anand Mahindra thinks this armoured vehicle is one of the meanest". Hindustan Times Auto News. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ "Indian Army to get 1,300 'Made in India' specialist vehicles". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
- ^ a b Ajai Shukla, India's military set to get its own version of the iconic US Army Humvee, Business Standard, 23 March 2021.
- ^ a b c Valpolini, Paolo (2024-01-26). "Mahindra Alakran VMIMS Showcased at Prestigious Republic Day 2024 Celebrations". EDR Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Final deliveries of VMIMS to Indian Army scheduled for end of 2024". Default. 2024-01-30. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Mahindra's Armored Light Specialist Vehicle". www.topgearmag.in. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ a b "Mahindra Armored LSV Deployed in Congo for UN Peacekeeping". RushLane Daily Auto News. 11 October 2020.
- ^ "Sikkim: Indian Army conducts Anti Tank Guided Missile field firing test at Teesta Range". The Economic Times. 2024-02-29. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Alakran - Milanion NTGS". 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Indian Mahindra ALSV received a Spanish 120mm Alakran mortar". 2023-01-16. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Mahindra's Armored Light Specialist Vehicle". www.topgearmag.in. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Mahindra Begins Deliveries Of Armoured Vehicles For Indian Army". Mobility Outlook. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Indian Army Orders 1,300 Mahindra Light Specialist Vehicles". DefenceWorld. 22 March 2021.
External links
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