The Indian Army has deployed an unknown number of 4×4 Light Specialist Vehicles (LSVs) known as Armado in the Rajouri-Poonch sector near the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The Line of Control (LoC) is a military control line between the Indian- and Pakistani-controlled parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir which does not constitute a legally recognized international boundary, but serves as the de facto border. Apart from minor details, the line is roughly the same as the original 1949 cease-fire line. It was established as part of the Simla Agreement at the end of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The Army Chief has instructed local commanders in the Rajouri-Poonch sector to launch an offensive on terrorists hiding in the area and dismantle the natural caves that have become terror hideouts. On 22 December 2023 the Army suffered four casualties in a militant attack on two army vehicles, raising a question about the safety standards of troop carrier vehicles in service with the Army.
The Armado 4×4 Light Specialist Vehicles (LSVs) is a key product of Indian company, which has been designed and developed by Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd (MDSL). Mahindra also provides armoured vehicles for Indian security forces and various foreign missions, including UN organisations. The vehicle provides a high degree of ballistics protection and excellent manoeuvrability over rugged terrain. It’s designed to be a modular type vehicle allowing for efficient maintenance and it can be upgraded or configured in the field for a wide variety of operational roles. The ALSV offers ballistic protection up to B7, STANAG Level II. The ALSV provides protected mobility for the front, side and rear as per STANAG Level I Ballistics and Blast for four crewmembers with battle load having ample stowage space for arms and ammunition inside the crew compartment and additional 400 Kgs cargo load-carrying capacity. It can also be upgradable up to STANAG – II Ballistics.
The vehicle is a modern fighting vehicle and will be authorised to various fighting units for carriage of Medium Machine Guns, Automatic Grenade Launchers as well as Anti-tank Guided Missiles. The vehicle has successfully passed rigorous trials conducted by the Indian Army in multiple terrains, operating successfully in temperatures ranging from a scorching 45°C in the Thar desert to a freezing -15°C in the Himalayas. The vehicles is extremely agile with all round protection against small arms fire and will assist small independent detachments which are required to operate this weapon platform in the operational area. Under this flagship project showcasing the indigenous manufacturing capabilities of the defence industry, the LSVs will add The Indian Army signed a contract worth INR10.56 billion ($126.78 million) with MDSL in March 2021 to procure 1,300 LSVs. The service plans to induct all vehicles by 2025. The first batch will comprise 40 Armados.
The Armado Light Specialist Vehicle’s key characteristics include the powerful 3.2 Lts, 215 HP multi-fuel diesel engine with 4/6 Speed Automatic Transmission, 4X4 with front and rear differential locks, 1,000 Kgs payload capacity, self-recovery winch, and high travel all-wheel independent suspension with central type inflation system. The ALSV features a self-cleaning-type exhaust scavenging and air filtration system for extreme dusty climate, which makes it ideal for deserts. Its maximum speed is > 120 Kmph, and acceleration 0 to 60 Kmph in 12 seconds; it has 30-degree gradability with parking brake holding capacity in full GVW, and 50 Kms run-flat system on all five wheels as per FINABEL standard.
