MOVING INDIA'S ARMED FORCES

Ashok Leyland’s special application vehicles have been performing faultlessly in altitudes varying form sea level to over 5,500 meters above sea level and in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees Celsius to +55 degrees Celsius, says Nitin Seth, COO, Ashok Leyland

- Niranjan Mudholkar

Can you give us an overview of the Defence business at Ashok Leyland?

Ashok Leyland has been the largest supplier of logistics vehicles to Indian Armed Forces. Following the solid foundation for Nation’s future in mobility solutions, Ashok Leyland has established the Defence products for Nation’s security. In the early 1970s, Ashok Leyland made a humble beginning through the supply of logistic vehicles to the Indian Armed Forces. In late 90’s the development of the futuristic ‘Stallion 4x4’ has greatly contributed to the modernization of the logistics of the Indian Army. Following this, Ashok Leyland’s Stallion 4x4 has grown to a 75,000 strong fleet and this has become the veritable backbone of logistics operations making Ashok Leyland the largest supplier of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army.

The Company took the onus of providing manufacturing know-how by entering into a transfer of technology agreement with the Ordnance Factory Board under Ministry of Defence, Government of India and has continuously supported it with product improvements, value additions, warranty support, product up-grades and future interactions/ tie ups for other range of vehicles.

Tell us about your manufacturing capabilities and capacities.