From homegrown automotive beasts to capable Japanese vehicles, the Indian Defense Forces have used several tough as nails vehicles and here’s 7 such vehicles.
The Army of any country must have the best of machinery to be able to perform all their duties to the best of their abilities. And that also includes the vehicles that they use. India’s borders with its neighboring nations are located across one of the most hostile geographic conditions and thus the vehicles used by the Indian defense forces must also be built to the task. Some Indian car manufacturers have been extremely smart to tap on this market and provide them with vehicles that will take on the treacheries with a stride. So here’s a list of 8 such vehicles that have been used Indian defense and military forces over the years.
Tata Safari Storme
The Tata Safari Storme was the one of the official vehicles of the Indian Defense forces until it was very recently discontinued as we stepped in the BS6 era. The Safari Storme is anyway a tough and rugged vehicle but it was further optimized for use by the Indian Defense forces. The Safari Storme for the army came painted in a matte green color with and several distinguishing features such as a jerry can holder above the rear fender, a spotlight, bonnet antenna, pintle hook at the rear and a 4×4 drive system with high and low ratios. It was powered by a 2.2L 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that produced 154 bhp and 400 Nm of torque.
Maruti Gypsy
The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy is the most synonymous vehicles with the Indian Defense forces. The Maruti Gypsy is as rugged as a vehicle can get and it conquered all terrain that the military forces threw at it with great stride. The Maruti Gypsy is a very capable off-roader and one that required barely any modifications to be fit for the army. It was powered by a 1.3L petrol engine that produced 80bhp and 103Nm of peak torque. The Maruti Gypsy is actually a second-gen Jimny that was sold abroad and we know about the Jimny’s capabilities.
Tata Sumo 4×4
The Safari Storme is not the only Tata vehicle that has been used by the Indian Defense forces. Our Army has also used the Sumo 4×4 as a personal vehicle or as an ambulance car primarily because its an extremely spacious car. The Sumo can fit 7 to 9 people easily which is what makes it very extremely configurable for a lot of other utility purposes. Its also a great long distance traveler, one that can carry its occupants in reasonable comfort. The Tata Sumo 4×4 was powered by a 3.0L CR4 engine which produced around 83bhp and 250Nm of peak torque.
Hindustan Amabassador
The Hindustan Ambassador has for long been a symbol of power and pride in our country. Almost all politicians and influential people from a few years ago traveled in a Hindustan Ambassador. It has been used as an official vehicle for Indian Army personnel and for the Indian Government too. The Hindustan Ambassador was powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. The largest engine under the hood of the Ambassador was a 2.0L diesel engine that produced 52bhp and 103Nm of peak torque.
Mahindra Scorpio 4×4
The Mahindra Scorpio 4×4 has been one of the more modern vehicles used the Indian Defense forces and one that fits their persona quite well. The Scorpio is an equally tough and rugged vehicle as the Safari Storme, if not more. It is as capable on the high altitude passes as it is in the city environment of the national capital region. It is also extremely efficient in carrying a lot of people at the same time in fairly reasonable comfort. The Mahindra Scorpio is powered by a 2.2L mHawk diesel engine that produces 120bhp and 280 Nm of peak torque.
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Toyota Fortuner
The Toyota Fortuner is perhaps the most ideal vehicle that fits the bill of the Indian Defense forces. The Toyota Fortuner is primarily used by the Defense forces for patrolling and it comes equipped with radio communications equipment. It is also capable of carrying heavy weapons for the Army. Officers other than patrolling troops are not allowed to use the Fortuner. The Fortuner is again a tough as nails SUV that can conquer almost any terrain that the Defense forces might encounter while patrolling. It is powered by a 2.8L diesel engine that produces 175bhp and 420Nm of torque.
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Mitsubishi Pajero
Most people have not heard or seen the Indian Defense forces use the Mitsubishi Pajero as an official vehicle but it does serve as one. Mostly serving in the north-eastern border states, the Mitsubishi Pajero can be seen making rounds at the Indo-China border. It is used by the Defense forces as well as patrolling officers and is as capable as any other SUv on this list. The Mitsubishi Pajero is powered by a 2.8L turbo-diesel engine that produces 120bhp and 280Nm of torque. It is one of the most capable vehicle under the Indian Defense forces.
