India: Kalyani Light Strike Vehicle tested for the Army.

The Indian manufacturer is testing a new 4x4 Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) for the Army, Vibin P Vijay reports on GaadiWaadi.com. 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.

Kalyani is testing a new Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) for the Indian army. It has been spotted on the Ahmadabad to Daman road (Picture source: Harshit Prajapati/GaadWaadi)

Currently, Kalyani is 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 the Indian army and it has been spotted on the 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, depending on the notified specifications. This particular prototype gets tarpaulin roof instead of the hard roof and it comes in two different wheelbase options – 3.20 and 3.50 meters.

The LSV is 5 meters long, 2.2 meters wide, and has a 300 mm ground clearance. The compact profile of LSV helps it to be carried inside a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. To help the LSV tackle off-road difficulties, the approach and departure angles are 35 degree. The interior is fitted with two front adjustable and suspended seats, plus three suspended seats at the rear.

The Light Strike Vehicle is designed to be armed with a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun, or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. The protection level of LSV can be adapted to the mission, as the armor plates can be replaced within the vehicles external skin. The basic pack which comes with the LSV gives ballistic protection against small arms fire.