Mahindra Marksman Armoured Vehicle

Mahindra Defence Systems of Mahindra Group launches the new Mahindra Marksman at the Defence Expo in New Delhi.

The top level management of Mahindra Emirates Vehicle Armouring (MEVA) pose with the Mahindra Marksman built at the facility in Ras Al Khaimah.

A Mahindra Marksman armoured vehicle of the Mumbai Police. Image courtesy of LOGANATHAN.R.

The Mahindra Marksman is the first Indian light armoured vehicle integrating a completely armoured hull. The vehicle is manufactured by Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), which is a part of Mahindra & Mahindra.

The Marksman will provide safe transportation for the armed forces, paramilitary and police forces, protecting them against small arms fire and under belly grenade attacks.

It can be deployed by special forces and quick reaction teams in counter-terrorist operations, including patrolling in high intensity areas, convoy protection and escort missions. The conventional roles of the vehicle include armed reconnaissance and convoy protection.

The Mumbai Police received the first Mahindra Marksman in August 2009. It is the first police agency in India to deploy Marksman vehicle. The vehicle is also operated by Force One, Delhi Police SWAT Team, Chilean Police (Carabineros de Chile), and Chilean Special Forces (Fuerzas Especiales de Chile).

Mahindra Marksman is also built by Mahindra Emirates Vehicle Armouring (MEVA) at its facility in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. MEVA is a joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra, Arabia Holdings, and RAK Transport Investments.

Mahindra Marksman design dimensions and features

The armoured hull of Mahindra Marksman is based on a 4×4 chassis. The conventional layout of the vehicle includes engine in the front, crew cab in the centre, and troop section at the rear. The crew cab accommodates two passengers including a driver and a co-driver, while the troop compartment provides seating for four passengers.

Crew can enter and exit the cabin through the doors located on either side of the vehicle, while the troop section can be accessed through a rear door.

Mahindra Marksman has a length of 4.39m, width of 1.86m, and height of 2.03m. The armoured vehicle has an unloaded weight of 2,600kg and can carry a payload of 600kg. It can be integrated with customer specified stowage and fittings.

Observation and fire control of the Marksman

The rear view camera and a TV screen fitted in the cab allow the driver and co-driver to gain the tactical view of the area behind the vehicle. The troops sitting in the rear section can observe the surroundings through wide bulletproof windows fitted on either side of the vehicle as well as on the rear door.

The search light mounted on top of the roof of the vehicle supports night missions, and can be operated by the driver or co-driver from inside the vehicle. The seven crew firing ports on the sides and rear of the vehicle allow the troops to fire their individual weapons from inside the vehicle.

Armament and self-protection technology of Mahindra Marksman

Above the rear compartment of the Marksman is a cupola housing a machine gun mount with 270º traverse. The gunner’s position is protected with armoured plates.

The bottom is equipped with enough protection to withstand the simultaneous explosion of two DM 51s (German norm-splinter) under the centre of the vehicle. Overlapping is provided for all joints and weldings. The rear stowage boxes on the rear door protect the troops against attacks from rear-side.

The sides of the Marksman vehicle can resist three direct hits of 7.62x51mm M80 ball rounds, 7.62x39mm PS ball bullets and 5.56x45mm M193 Ball ammunition at a range of 10m and an angle of 90º. The roof can protect the crew from three direct hits of 5.56mm and 7.62mm rounds from a range of 10m and 45º angle.

Mahindra Marksman engine and mobility

The Marksman is powered by a BS3 compliant, 2.5l common rail diesel engine combined with an NGT 530R 5-speed manual gear box (five forward, one reverse). The engine has a maximum gross power of 77kW (105bhp) at 3,800rpm and a maximum torque of 228Nm between 1,800rpm and 2,200rpm.

The four-wheel drive vehicle is equipped with power steering. The front and rear suspensions are of independent and rigid leaf spring respectively, along with the shock absorber. The suspension system ensures the vehicle can operate on any kind of terrain with ease. The vehicle also integrates standard alloy wheels and an optional run-flat tire system.

The Marksman can drive at a maximum speed of 120km/h. It has a ground clearance of 240mm. The turning radius of the vehicle is 5.8m.