U.K. high mobility vehicle specialist Supacat said it provided technical assistance to India’s Tata Motors
to develop a combat vehicle based on a Light Armored Multipurpose Vehicle (LAMV) program by the Indian Ministry of Defense.
The LAMV incorporates crew protection and suspension technologies based on the Supacat Protected Vehicle 400 (SPV400) Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) requirements of the U.K. Ministry of Defense. These include blast resistant features such as a V-shaped hull and an all-composite crew cab.
Supacat Managing Director Nick Ames said, “Tata’s stature in India and the U.K., and Supacat’s experience in protected vehicles is a powerful combination. Our aspiration is that this is the beginning of a strategic relationship, which opens up opportunities for both companies in the Asian and European markets for protected vehicles.”
Vernon Noronha, vice president-Defense & Government Business Tata Motors, said, “We at Tata Motors have been associated with the Indian defense and security forces for over 60 years now, with an endeavor to supply a range of world-class, high technology and reliable off-road mobility solutions. With technical support from Supacat, we are proud to have been able to indigenously develop the LAMV, for vital reconnaissance mobility, protection and firepower for the Indian armed forces, giving them the much needed capabilities of rapid offensive thrusts into enemy territory.”
Since the prototype SPV400 was assessed in 2010 for the U.K. MoD’s LPPV, Supacat continued to develop the design to production standards to meet the international demand for this new class of vehicle.
Supacat is best known for developing the Jackal and Coyote vehicles operated by British Forces in Afghanistan and numerous special forces worldwide. The LAMV prototype was unveiled Feb. 6 at Defexpo, New Delhi.