Entering the business of combat vehicles manufacturing for the defence sector, Tata Motors Tuesday said it will bid to supply light bullet-proof vehicles to the Indian Army with a possible order size of Rs 350 crore.
The company Tuesday launched an anti-mine vehicle for use by the Indian Army, paramilitary and police forces.
"Defence business is becoming a big business. We are the largest commercial vehicle maker, so we think we are poised to play an important role. From supplying only common vehicles,we have moved into various specialised vehicles," Tata Motors Vice Chairman Ravi Kant told reporters in the national
capital.
Besides, the company also aims to mechanise and upgrade the transportation of the Indian Army at lower cost, he added.
Tata Motors, which has supplied about 1.2 lakh units to India's defence and paramilitary forces since 1958, is planning to bid for supplying light bullet-proof vehicles, to be manufactured on its multi-utility vehicle Sumo's platform.
"We are currently competing for an Army tender for supplying the bullet proof vehicles... The order will be for almost 1,000 vehicles and a normal bullet proof vehicle costs about Rs 35 lakh," Tata Motors Head (Defence Business) V S
Noronha said.
The company will be competing with other local auto makers such as Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland for supplying the vehicles.
Noronha said the company will also participate in production of futuristic infantry combat vehicles, which would work as a system integrator.