Mahindra Group Chairman, Anand Mahindra, shared a video on X on Friday, August 21, showing multiple Mahindra Armado armoured vehicles being transported by rail. Mahindra captioned the post,"Mahindra Armado... Reporting for duty..Sir!"
The video is showing hundreds of Adamos in green and beige military color camouflage tied to railway wagons for the passage. It is possible to see people on the platform filming the passage of this military convoy.
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What is the Mahindra Armado?
The Armado is an Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) developed by Mahindra Defence Systems for the Indian defence forces. NDTV reported that it is an indigenously built defence vehicle meant for use in hostile environments. Mahindra Defence System is a subsidiary of Mahindra and Mahindra.
Netizens React
The reaction to Anand Mahindra's post was broadly appreciative, although there were also comparisons with Mahindra's civilian SUV's. Among the reactions reported by NDTV were comments praising the vehicle's role in national security, including sentiments that serving the country was a significant achievement and thanking those involved.
Why was the Armado developed?
According to Mahindra's specifications cited by automotive publications, the Armado is intended to be a modular tactical vehicle that can be adapted for different military roles. Its reported applications include, counter-terrorist operations, patrolling in high-intensity areas, special forces operations, quick reaction teams, border security duties, reconnaissance, weapons carriage, and operations in open or desert train. The vehicle can reportedly be configured in different forms, including an armoured protection vehicle, ambulance, command-and-control vehicle and ammunition carrier, Autocar reported.
Features
In terms of protection, the Armado offers B7 ballistic and STANAG Level II armouring. This means it can withstand armour-piercing rounds from high-powered sniper rifles, as well as threats from grenades, land mines and artillery blasts upto 115 mm at close range.
The vehicle is powered by a 3.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine producing 215bhp and 500Nm of torque, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and a 4x4 drivetrain. It can reach a top speed of around 120 kmph and carry upto eight personnel along with a payload of one tonne, NDTV reported.
The Armado has BFGoodrich all terrain run flat tyres. NDTV reports that the vehicle can continue to be driven for upto 50 kms despite a puncture or loss of pressure. The car also features a central tyre inflation system that lets the driver alter the pressure according to his needs. Autocar India reports that the Armado has independent heavy duty suspension that could be modified to suit varying terrains.
How many Armados did the Army order?
The Indian Ministry of Defence signed a Rs. 1,056 crore contract with Mahindra Defence Systems in March 2021 for 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles. Anand Mahindra subsequently announced in June 2023 that the deliveries had begun.
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