Mahindra Automotive has announced the order for 1,470 units of the Scorpio Classic, an example of which is pictured above, for 12 units of the Indian Army. (Mahindra Automotive)
The Indian Army has ordered Scorpio sports utility vehicles (SUVs) from Mahindra Automotive, the company announced in a social media post. The SUV has been selected under the 4×4 light utility vehicle – general services (LUV-GS) category.
Mahindra has received an order for 1,470 Scorpio Classics from the Indian Army. The seven-seater SUV is fitted with a 2.2-litre diesel engine that generates a maximum power of 130 HP and torque of 300 nm, the company said.
In March 2022, India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of 4×4 LUV-GS. The new LUVs are intended to replace the in-service Maruti Gypsy vehicles.
In 2016, the Indian Army selected the Tata Safari Storme over Mahindra Scorpio to replace fleets of Maruti Gypsy and Mahindra MM Jeep-derived models. Tata was awarded a contract to supply 3,192 4×4 Tata Safari Storme vehicles at that time.
An order for more than 500 Tata Xenon crew-cabin pickups was also placed in December 2016, and the bulk of these are used by India's Border Security Force as border outpost vehicles. The Xenon was selected over Mahindra's Bolero Camper.
When production of the Gypsy concluded in 2017, it was the most basic and durable in-service 4×4 LUV with the Indian Army. Apart from the Gypsy, the majority of the remaining fleet is made up of Mahindra's MM military vehicles, which were built under licence from Jeep CJ models.
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