The company is testing a new Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) for Indian Military and it has been spotted on Ahmadabad to Daman road
Kalyani group have been a pioneer in manufacturing of axles, aggregates and driveline technology for defence compact vehicles worldwide and they expanded the business to building various military protected vehicles especially for the Indian Army. Currently, they are offering four types of vehicles – Light Armoured Vehicle (LAM), Light Strike Vehicle (LSV), Mine Protected Vehicles (MPV) and Armor Personal Carrier (APC).
Usually, most of these vehicles are developed in remote areas or secret places. But the company is testing a new Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) for Indian Military and it has been spotted on Ahmadabad to Daman road. The LSV is based on AM General’s platform, which is also base for US Army’s Hummer (HMMWV).
The company is offering different models of LSV for the military as it depends on the specification they have given. This particular prototype gets tarpaulin roof instead of the hard roof and it comes in two different wheelbase options – 3.2 m and 3.5 m. The LSV measures 5 m in length, 2.2 m width and height along with 300 mm ground clearance.
The compact profile of LSV helps it to be carried inside a CH-45 helicopter, while a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules transport aircraft can carry tow systems internally. To help the LSV tackle off-road, the approach and departure angle is 35 degree. The interior is fitted with two front adjustable and suspended seats plus three suspended seats at the rear.
The LSV is designed to be fitted with 7.6 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The protection level of LSV can be changed depending on the mission as the armours packs can be replaced within the vehicles external skin. The basic pack which comes with LSV gives ballistic protection against small arms fire.
The heavier kit on LSV will protect passengers against ambush attacks. The company hasn’t given details about engine capacity but it produces 140 hp of power and this engine is mated to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission with the four-wheel drive system. According to the company, LSV has 500 km of range.