Mahindra ALSV short for Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle which was unveiled earlier this year has been deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in Central Africa with the 16th Sikh Regiment on a UN Peace Keeping mission. The World-renowned tactical armoured vehicles manufacturer Mahindra Emirates Vehicle Armouring (MEVA, Mahindra Armoured), is Mahindra Group’s armoured vehicle division and engineering facility with its R&D centres located in UAE and Jordan that specialises in armoured vehicles for use in the domestic and international market.
The Mahindra ALSV features a modular design which can be configured and enhanced in the field to be used for various applications and operations. The ALSV can be deployed for on multiple terrains and environments including desert environments and is capable of running a multitude of missions including border security, raids, transporting weapons, reconnaissance as well as specialised counter-terrorism operations. The vehicle can be used by various arms of the defence forces including Special Forces, Quick Reaction Teams and patrolling high-intensity areas. The Mahindra ALSV features STANAG Level I Ballistics and Blast protection for four crew members. STANAG is short for ‘Standardization Agreement’ also known as STANAG Agreement for redundancies, in NATO terms and defines terms for common military-technical procedures and protection levels. In simple terms, STANAG is the NCAP for military vehicles.
The protection quotient is rated with battle load for the front, side and rear of the vehicle along with ballistic protection upgradable up to B7, STANAG Level II along with storage space for arms and ammunition inside the crew compartment making the vehicle resistant to 7.62 x 51mm ball rounds and HE36 hand grenades. The multirole vehicle can carry as much as 10+2 troops with arms and ammunition as well as an additional 400 Kgs cargo load-carrying capacity. As standard, the ALSV comes with driver + five seating option, Tactical Command & Control with Mapping, Blast Mitigation Floor Mat, HF/VHF/UHF radio, in-service GPS, surveillance configuration, Public Address system etc.
Mahindra ALSV is powered by a 3.2-litre In-Line Six-Cylinder, Turbocharged, multi-fuel, electronically controlled diesel engine which supports both diesel and NATO fuels and generates 215 Hp of power @ 3600 RPM and 500 Nm of torque @ 2000 RPM matched to a 4-speed/6-speed automatic Lightweight GM Transmission unit with 4X4 featuring front and rear differential locks. The Mahindra ALSV can accelerate from 0-60 kmph in 12 seconds and can reach speeds of up to 120kmph and a parking brake holding capacity in full GVW. The ALSV is also offered with an advanced suspension package that includes Bilstein independent heavy-duty suspension, Double Wishbone Axle allowing a gradability of 30 degrees and a self-inflation system with FINABEL run-flat tyre system enabling it to crawl out of hostile situations when needed.