The Indian Army plans to purchase 300 rough terrain vehicles suitable for logistical operations in high-altitude locations.
The vehicles must be wheeled, highly-mobile, and multi-configurable to support various missions, according to a request for proposal (RFP).
They must also be air-transportable and operate at an altitude of up to 16,000 feet (4,876 meters).
“Their ability to operate in snow-covered undulating terrain with long endurance makes them ideally suitable for last-mile delivery tasks,” the RFP stated, as quoted by The Hindustan Times.
The service will reportedly utilize an emergency procurement process to fast-track the acquisition and deliver the vehicles to the army as soon as possible.
Additional Requirements
Apart from operating in rough and snowy terrains, the vehicles must be suitable for operations in areas where temperatures range from 45 degrees to minus 20.
Engine power should also not be less than 30 horsepower and the vehicle’s operating range must exceed 100 kilometers (62 miles).
The RFP also stated that the vehicles must include rollover protection system and a service life of at least nine years.
Interested vendors should be willing to provide engineering support, spare parts, and training services for military operators.
The rough terrain vehicles must be delivered within 12 months of the signing of the contract. They will be deployed in Ladakh and other areas where there is a lingering standoff with the Chinese military.
