The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

Military mobility is a vital war winning factor. The ability to mobilise to the operational area and combat mobility within the war zone are foundational for the operational success of any professional military. At the same time, it not just movement of troops, weapon systems, ammunition and logistics in war but the Armed Forces always require high mobility vehicles for logistical and transportation needs for different terrains and theatres like counter-insurgency, border protection and personnel carriers. The design of military vehicles must have the ability to be air-transported by transport aircraft and helicopters; with vehicles and guns loaded, carried under-slung or paradropped.

The tactical and operational maneuvers is all about projecting a superior force at the time and place of decision by beating the enemy in time, space, and force ratios. Having been deployed, combat forces must continue to have the ability of mobility and maneuver. In combat, speed, stealth, survivability, swiftness and operational mobility are extremely important. Militaries cannot risk having combat transport that is slow, noisy, terrain-sensitive, and delicate.

The Indian automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and component manufacturers in the defence sector are making efforts to meet the military's mobility requirement

The many types of vehicles required by the military include: High Mobility Vehicles (HMV) 10x10, 12x12; High Mobility Vehicles (HMV) 4×4, 6×6, 8×8; Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 6×6; Medium Bullet Proof Vehicle (MBPV) 4x4, Heavy duty Trucks 4x4, 6x6, Auxiliary Power Vehicles; Mine Protected Vehicle and 4x4 General Purpose Vehicle.

In addition to the above, there are specialised military vehicles that include: Armoured Recovery Vehicles; Fuel Tanker 2KL/5KL; Refrigerated Vehicles; Water Bowser 2KL/5KL; Ambulances 4x4, Ambulance Armoured Tracked Vehicles; Fire vehicles; Armoured Amphibious vehicles; Explosive Vans; Tracked Light Dozer (TLD); Tractor General Purpose and Crane 5/10 Tonne.

The Indian automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and component manufacturers in the defence sector, specifically in the area of military vehicles of the Indian Armed Forces are making efforts to meet the military's mobility requirement. However, what percentage of military requirements are met indigenously is not known, although avenues available for manufacturers to participate in the domestic procurement, which is mostly done through a competitive tendering process as well as exploring potential export markets are available to them.

The domestic market for mobility requirements for defence forces is primarily driven by the replacement of obsolete platforms in the existing fleet of Indian armed forces vehicles and induction of new platforms in the fleet. Apart from these, there are significant opportunities to be explored in aftermarket spares and indigenisation opportunities.

At the same time, indigenous manufacturers like Tata, Ashok Leyland, and Mahindra have been producing Lorries and Tractors. Force Motors has been making Light Commercial Vehicles. Industries like Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), Kalyani Group, and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) have refined their traditional manufacturing strengths and expertise in materials to produce defence heavy lift and rugged mobility designs; currently supplying conventional war mobility hardware.

Legacy automotive manufacturers like Tata Motors and Mahindra have deep-rooted connections with the defence sector, crafting an impressive range of armoured and troop-carrying vehicles for the Indian Army

Legacy automotive manufacturers like Tata Motors and Mahindra have deep-rooted connections with the defence sector, crafting an impressive range of armoured and troop-carrying vehicles for the Indian Army. Five formidable combat vehicles currently in active service with the Armed Forces are playing a vital role in safeguarding the nation: Mahindra Marksman - light-armoured personnel carrier featuring a gun turret; Mahindra MEVA ASV - armoured specialist vehicle, featuring a 360-degree ballistic shell rated for CEN B6 protection and more; Mahindra LSV (Armado) - co-developed with the Indian Army, the Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) provides CEN B7 STANAG Level 2 protection, can accommodate six personnel, has 1,000 kg payload capacity; Tata Defence Armoured Safari - provides NIJ Level 3 protection; Tata Defence Mine Protected Vehicle - armoured personnel carrier also with NIJ Level 3 protection, features ten gun firing points and incorporates a special V-shaped hull for blast resistance.

Above are only few examples. Under the MoD's Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR) 3 of 2018, also included are induction of the following through capital procurement: 350 x Explosive Van with 10-year service life; 100 x Armoured Amphibious Dozer with 20-year service life; 150 x Helicoptered Module Dozer with20-year service life; 300+ x Light Bullet Proof Vehicles with 15-year service life; 2000 x General Purpose Tractor with 10-year service life; 200 x Cranes with 15-year service life, and; 150 x Vehicle-Based Mine Scattering Systems with 15-year service life.

In addition, procurements under the revenue budget also have opportunities for automotive manufactures related to replacement, procurement of spares, service contracts for maintenance, and the like. Most military vehicles have a service life ranging from 10 to 35 years; implying many vehicles are declared unfit for use annually and procurement of new vehicles is done through an annual competitive tendering process. Moreover, the market size for aftermarket components and spares is estimated to be eight to 10 times the market size for new purchases, making it an excellent opportunity for MSMEs in the sector, according to a study.

The era of autonomous all-terrain vehicles is already upon us, and the MoD needs to take a holistic view of the requirement for such vehicles in consultation with the Armed Forces

We need to establish whether the indigenous automotive industry is meeting 100 percent requirements of the Armed Forces including maintenance, spares etc or not, and if not, why not? India has signed MoUs with multiple countries to provide them with defence exports like mobility vehicles and armoured personnel carriers, as also created the defence Line of Credit (LoC) for certain countries to improve strategic relationships and ease defence exports. The global demand for ground defence vehicles, excluding combat vehicles, is projected at $20.7 billion by end 2024. A concerted effort by the government, instead of individual OEMs, would be good for exports.

Finally, the era of autonomous all-terrain vehicles is already upon us. The MoD needs to take a holistic view of the requirement for such autonomous vehicles in consultation with the Armed Forces - short, medium and long-term requirements. These requirements should be communicated to the indigenous automotive industry, and the same included in the MoD's Technology Perspective and Capability Roadmap (TPCR).