New Delhi, June 13, 2005 (Himalayan News Service)

An Indian ordnance factory has developed an armoured vehicle capable of resisting powerful mine explosions and equipped with remote-controlled weapons. The state-run ordnance factory at Medak developed the mine-protected vehicle (MPV) that was demonstrated to Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee at the defence headquarters here today, a spokesman said. The MPV is a modified version of the 7.5-tonne Stallion vehicle currently produced by ordnance factories for use by the defence forces. It has been modified to withstand mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The vehicle was given for trials to the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and was subjected to an IED blast. Encouraged by the vehicle’s success, ordnance factories took on a project to mount a remote-controlled weapon on it. A 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm or 14.5 mm gun can be mounted in this weapon station.

“The operator inside the vehicle can focus on the target using a computer and fire with the help of a joystick. The target can be destroyed by a single shot and troops inside the vehicle are safe against grenade attacks, small arms fire and detonation of mines or explosive devices.” The gun along with the camera and sights can rotate 360 degrees. The vehicle, which costs about Rs 5.5 million, was developed while keeping in mind the needs of paramilitary forces and the Indian defence forces. The basic MPVs are currently being supplied to paramilitary and special police forces.