Tata Motors to bid for Indian Army`s bullet proof vehicles

New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Entering the business of combat
vehicles manufacturing for the defence sector, Tata Motors
Tuesday said it will bid to supply light bullet-proof vehicles
to the Indian Army with a possible order size of Rs 350 crore.
The company Tuesday launched an anti-mine vehicle for use
by the Indian Army, paramilitary and police forces.
"Defence business is becoming a big business. We are the
largest commercial vehicle maker, so we think we are poised to
play an important role. From supplying only common vehicles,
we have moved into various specialised vehicles," Tata Motors
Vice Chairman Ravi Kant told reporters in the national
capital.
Besides, the company also aims to mechanise and upgrade
the transportation of the Indian Army at lower cost, he added.
Tata Motors, which has supplied about 1.2 lakh units to
India's defence and paramilitary forces since 1958, is
planning to bid for supplying light bullet-proof vehicles, to
be manufactured on its multi-utility vehicle Sumo's platform.
"We are currently competing for an Army tender for
supplying the bullet proof vehicles... The order will be for
almost 1,000 vehicles and a normal bullet proof vehicle costs
about Rs 35 lakh," Tata Motors Head (Defence Business) V S
Noronha said.
The company will be competing with other local auto
makers such as Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland for
supplying the vehicles.
Noronha said the company will also participate in
production of futuristic infantry combat vehicles, which would
work as a system integrator. PTI