Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared a video on X on Friday, August 21, showcasing multiple Mahindra Armado armoured vehicles being transported by rail. According to reports from NDTV, Mahindra captioned the post, 'Mahindra Armado... Reporting for duty..Sir!' The video depicts hundreds of Adamos in green and beige military color camouflage tied to railway wagons for passage, with people on the platform filming the military convoy movement. The video is showing hundreds of Adamos in green and beige military color camouflage tied to railway wagons for the passage, with people on the platform filming the passage of this military convoy.
The Mahindra Armado is an Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) developed by Mahindra Defence Systems for the Indian defence forces. As reported by NDTV, it is an indigenously built defence vehicle designed for use in hostile environments. The vehicle features B7 ballistic and STANAG Level II armouring, enabling it to withstand armour-piercing rounds from high-powered sniper rifles and threats from grenades, land mines and artillery blasts up to 115mm at close range. The Armado is powered by a 3.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine producing 215bhp and 500Nm of torque, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and 4x4 drivetrain, achieving a top speed of around 120 kmph. According to Autocar, the vehicle can carry up to eight personnel along with a payload of one tonne. The Armado features BFGoodrich all terrain run flat tyres that can continue driving for up to 50 kms despite puncture or loss of pressure, along with a central tyre inflation system for varying terrain requirements.
The Indian Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,056 crore contract with Mahindra Defence Systems in March 2021 for 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles. According to NDTV, Anand Mahindra subsequently announced in June 2023 that deliveries had begun. The Armado is designed as a modular tactical vehicle configured for counter-terrorist operations, patrolling in high-intensity areas, special forces operations, quick reaction teams, border security duties, reconnaissance, weapons carriage, and operations in open or desert terrain. As reported by Autocar, the vehicle can be configured in different forms, including an armoured protection vehicle, ambulance, command-and-control vehicle and ammunition carrier.
The reaction to Anand Mahindra's post was broadly appreciative, with comments praising the vehicle's role in national security and thanking those involved. As reported by NDTV, there were also comparisons with Mahindra's civilian SUVs. Among the reactions reported by NDTV were comments praising the vehicle's role in national security, including sentiments that serving the country was a significant achievement and thanking those involved. The Armado features independent heavy duty suspension that could be modified to suit varying terrains, enhancing its versatility across different military operations.
