By IANS
Mumbai : Britain-based defence and aerospace major BAE Systems will develop mine-protected vehicles in collaboration with Indian automobile major Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M).
The vehicle will be developed at Mahindra’s $6-billion defence division and incorporate BAE Systems’ elements of RG-31 mine-protected vehicle.
BAE Systems has already supplied 165 mine-protected vehicles known as Casspir to the Indian Army since 1999.
Announcing this Tuesday to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), M&M said that at this year’s Fifth Defence and Naval Exhibition (DEFEXPO), a BAE Systems’ RG-31 will be on display on the Mahindra Defence stand.
Khutub Hai, chief executive of Mahindra Defence Systems, said: “This wing is in the business of providing vehicle protection to defence forces and our project with BAE Systems, who are leaders in this field, for the joint production of mine-protected vehicles is a strategic fit for our vehicle armouring business.”
Commenting on the new venture, BAE Systems’ India managing director, Mike Mendoza, said: “Mahindra is an enormously capable world-class company with the skills to become a strong partner for BAE Systems on the development of a mine protected vehicle for India.”
Giving details about the RG-31, the statement mentioned that nearly 600 RG-31s are currently in service with the US, Canada and other forces, including the United Nations.