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Ashok Leyland Defense Systems (ALDS), has selected U.S. global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin, for pursuit of its Indian Armed Forces Light Specialist Vehicle (LSV) and Light Armored Multipurpose (LAM) vehicle programs.
Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Vehicle or Common Vehicle Next Generation (CVNG) will provide the base platform for this development effort. With the Indian Armed Forces looking to rapidly modernize their protected wheeled vehicle fleet, there could be numerous additional opportunities for this development effort beyond the LSV and LAM programs.
Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja, will serve as the prime contractor, and provide a high-quality, cost effective manufacturing hub for global requirements of these vehicles and variants. As a licensed manufacturer of the CVNG, this opens up a huge opportunity for ALDS to globally export this vehicle platform and its variants as a “Made in India” product.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director of Ashok Leyland, said, “As the largest provider of logistics vehicles to the Indian Army, Ashok Leyland has a strong portfolio in the defense sector. This partnership will not just further India’s ambitions under the ‘Make in India’ program, but help us provide robust and meaningful solutions to armed forces across new domains and geographies. We are buoyant about the defense segment, and expect our play to increase manifold.”
Scott Greene, Vice President of Ground Vehicles for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said, “Our CVNG is a proven and versatile multi-terrain vehicle currently in service around the world. We are excited about the opportunities that exist to offer the CVNG to India and beyond.”
Marking the occasion, Nitin Seth, President LCV and Defence at Ashok Leyland, said, “We are happy to be working with a major defense company like Lockheed Martin on this development. A combination of their technical expertise and our proven vehicle platforms, will enable us to offer versatile solutions to armed forces across segments.”
Ashok Leyland is one of the country’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers and a long-standing supplier of mobility solutions to the Indian Army. With a host of proven products currently in service with the Indian Army, the company is continuously looking to expand its portfolio into areas of need for the Indian Armed Forces.
Lockheed Martin is one of the world’s premier global security and aerospace companies that – with the addition of Sikorsky – employs approximately 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.