Mahindra Defence starts delivery of first batch of Light Specialist Armoured Vehicle ’Armado’ to Indian Army

Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, has begun rolling out the Armado, an armoured specialist vehicle which has been indigenously designed and developed.

In a tweet this morning, S P Shuka, chairman of Mahindra Aerospace, Mahindra Defence and president of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), said: “Mahindra #Defence commences production & deliveries of Armado – India’s 1st Specialist Vehicle designed, developed & built in the country for our armed forces. We are fully dedicated to serve the nation through our products & services. Jai Hind”.


In March 2021, Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd (MDSL) for the supply of 1,300 light specialist vehicles to the Indian Army at a cost of Rs 1,056 crore for the Indian Army for their recce and weapon carrier requirements. 
‘A Sneekpeak into Armado’
As per official website of Mahindra Defence, the Mahindra Armored Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) is a light armoured specialist vehicle built for use by military and defence forces. 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.

Armado can be used for:

Counter-Terrorist Operations

•  Patrolling in High Intensity Areas
•  Special Forces Operations
•  Quick Reaction Teams

Conventional Operations

•  Weapon carrier
•  Raids in Open/ Desert Terrain
•  Reconnaissance
•  Border Security

Armado boasts of a 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.

Armando apart from its basic features can be heavily customised to incorporate:

•  Driver + Five Seating Option
•  Surveillance Configuration
•  In-Service GPS
•  Detachable and Adjustable Modular Racks
•  Automatic Grenade Launcher
•  Electric Winch
•  HF/VHF/UHF Radio
•  Screen and Windows Mesh Protection
•  Medium Machine Gun Mount
•  Camouflage Net Storage
•  Blast Mitigation Floor Mat
•  Tactical Command & Control with Mapping

This flagship project showcases the indigenous production capability of the defence-manufacturing industry in India. It falls in line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) philosophy.