Mahindra Mine Protected Vehicle
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
| MPV-I | |
|---|---|
| Type | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2010 - Present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Defense Land Systems India Limited |
| Specifications | |
| Passengers | 18 |
| Armor | Monocoque steel V-hull |
Main armament | None |
| Engine | Diesel 230 hp |
The Mahindra Mine Protected Vehicle-I (MPV-I),[1] is an Indian Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle manufactured by Defense Land Systems, a joint-venture of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited and BAE Systems, the first vehicle made under the venture.[2] It is an improved Casspir variant built under licence.[3]
Design
[edit]The MPV debuted in 2010, with the design aimed at protection of Indian security forces conducting anti-terrorism and anti-Naxalite operations in India's rugged forested and hilly terrains.[4] It is powered by a ruggedized 230 HP diesel engine, paired with a 6x6 transmission.[5]
The MPV offers armored protection to its crew and passengers against ballistic and land mine threats. It uses a V-shaped hull of steel and monocoque construction to direct the force of the blast away from the occupants under a Ural truck chassis.[5] It has been tested to protect against 7.62×51mm NATO, 7.62×39mm Soviet and 5.56×45mm NATO rounds from a 10m distance.[5] It can withstand 21 kg of TNT equivalent explosions directly under any wheel, and 14 kg of TNT equivalent explosions directly under the crew compartment.[6][7]
It can carry up to 18 security and paramilitary personnel with full equipment including the crew.[6]
The MPV can be armed with a remote controlled weapon station for basic armaments purposes.[8]
Operational History
[edit]In August 2011, the first production series vehicles were delivered to Jharkhand Police.[9][10]
In October 2011, the CRPF reported that it had reduced the use of MPVs in operations against Naxalites, since some of the improvised explosive devices were of up to 80 kg, far above the 21 kg limit that the vehicles were designed to withstand[11][12] due to IEDs and not against anti-tank mines.[13] They were only used in limited roles, such as evacuating casualties.[14]
In early 2015, Myanmar Army received 10 MPV-1s with 10 Aditya MRAP as military aid from India in 2006 for use against Assamese rebels operating from Myanmar.[citation needed]
Users
[edit]
Cambodia: Used by Cambodia in peacekeeping operations.[15]
India[1]
Mozambique: Reported to be in use by Mozambique Police.[16]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "This India-made armoured Mahindra Mine Protected Vehicle-I can eat bullets and bombs: IN PICS".
- ^ "A Success Story - SP's Land Forces".[permanent dead link]
- ^ Camp & Heitman (2014), p. 240.
- ^ "Defence Land System,Mahindra & BAE Systems Company - Unveils [MPV-I] for Indian Armed Forces". Archived from the original on 10 December 2018.
- ^ a b c "Mahindra Defence Systems MPV-I : First Drive".
- ^ a b "Mine Protected Vehicle displayed". 15 February 2010.
- ^ "Mahindra Mine Protected Vehicle from Mahindra Armored". www.mahindraarmored.com. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
- ^ "MPVI Mahindra Defence 4x4 wheeled mine protected vehicle | India Indian army wheeled armoured vehicle UK | India Indian army military equipment vehicle UK". 2 February 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Mahindra anti-mine vehicles for Naxal ops". Business Standard. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
- ^ "Mine-resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles - SP's Land Forces".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Security forces asked to shun armoured vehicles in Naxal areas | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 17 October 2011.
- ^ "Anti-mine vehicles reduced to 'coffin on wheels'". 11 October 2011.
- ^ Camp & Heitman (2014), p. 239.
- ^ "CRPF shifts MPVS from Naxal grid to Kashmir for better convoy security". The Economic Times. 13 July 2018.
- ^ "Cambodia sends 14 Mahindra MPV-i MRAP armoured vehicles for UN mission in Mali | Defense News June 2023 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 | Archive News year". 7 June 2023.
- ^ "Mozambique Police used indian made Mahindra MPVI 4x4 armored vehicles". 16 January 2024.
Bibliography
[edit]- Camp, Steve; Heitman, Helmoed Römer (2014). Surviving the Ride: A Pictorial History of South African-Manufactured Mine-Protected Vehicles. 30 Degrees South Publishers. ISBN 978-1928211174.