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India Weighs Export Push for Indigenous High Mobility Military Vehicles

BEML-built platforms have become the Army’s backbone across harsh terrain.

Overview

  • New Delhi is assessing overseas sales for its HMV family in Asia, Africa and the Indo-Pacific as part of a $5 billion annual defence-export drive, with sources describing the trucks as cost-competitive and easy to maintain.
  • The vehicles, fielded in 4×4 through 12×12 configurations, carry missile batteries, radars, rocket launchers, bridge-laying systems and recovery gear across deserts, riverine belts and high-altitude zones.
  • BEML’s indigenised lineage, evolved from earlier foreign designs, gives the Army tighter control over spares and upgrades while platform commonality streamlines maintenance and logistics.
  • WION reports a July 2025 order worth ₹293.81 crore for 150 HMV 6×6 units, underscoring continuing domestic induction alongside export evaluations.
  • A 12×12 variant unveiled this year features a 42-ton payload, a 500 hp engine, independent swinging half-axles, central tyre inflation and lockable differentials, targeting heavy-duty missions in unforgiving terrain.