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Web Page sponsored by MILLBROOK
Millbrook, based in Bedfordshire, UK, makes a significant contribution to the quality and performance of military vehicles worldwide. Its specialist expertise is focussed in two distinct areas: test programmes to help armed services and their suppliers ensure that their vehicles and systems work as the specification requires; and design and build work to upgrade new or existing vehicles, evaluate vehicle capability and investigate in-service failures. Complementing these is driver and service training and a hospitality business that allows customers to use selected areas of Millbrook’s remarkable facilities for demonstrations and exhibitions.
Tel: +44 (0) 1525 408408
www.millbrook.co.uk/military
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05 Jan 10. As part of its global growth strategy, Navistar, Inc. today celebrated the launch of its first commercial trucks for the Indian market. At the 10th India Auto Expo in Delhi, Mahindra-Navistar Automotives Ltd. (MNAL), the commercial vehicle joint venture between Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M) of India and Navistar, Inc., unveiled a family of commercial trucks and tractors in the range of 25-, 31-, 40- and 49-ton (equivalent GVW ranges of approximately 56,000 pounds up to 109,000 pounds). The trucks have been designed, developed and tested for Indian roads and conditions and are capable of negotiating the toughest terrain. The trucks are made for India, made in India and leverage Navistar’s expertise in designing and manufacturing medium- and heavy-duty commercial trucks. The 25- and 31-tonne trucks were unveiled previously in Delhi, while the 40- and 49-tonne trucks made their debut at the Auto Expo. 2With the addition of the MN 40 and MN 49 trucks and tractors to its product portfolio, Mahindra-Navistar is now well poised to cater to a wide spectrum of requirements in the Indian Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) industry,” said Anand Mahindra, vice chairman and managing director, Mahindra Group. “This product line-up makes us a formidable player.” “I’m excited to witness the launch of this all-new line-up of trucks at the India Auto Expo,” said Dee Kapur, president, Navistar Truck Group. “India is an important market for us and the Mahindra-Navistar joint venture will redefine the trucking industry in India.”
BATTLESPACE Comment: With BAE Systems also having a JV with Mahindra and Mahindra, will we see Navistar working with BAE to develop militarised versions of these vehicles or will Navistar, as it did with the MRAP in the USA, become the dominant military vehicle supplier in India?
06 Jan 10. Nearly half of the British Army’s armoured vehicles that are being used in Afghanistan are regarded as unfit for operational usage according to new figures. The military vehicles, ranging from lightly protected patrol models to heavy mine-resistant ambush protected types, have proved to be disqualified for the operations in the region, according to the Daily Telegraph. The vehicles are not providing the required levels of protection for the crew from insurgent roadside bombs and are incapable of withstanding the topography and climate of Afghanistan as well as undergoing frequent repairs and refurbishment. The Daily Telegraph figures show, out of 271 Mastiffs, only 134 are operationally ready and only 73 of the 118 Ridgback vehicles are considered serviceable. In addition, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) has also withdrawn the highly criticised Snatch Land Rover from its duties in Afghanistan. The Land Rovers are lightly protected and have proved vulnerable to insurgent improvised explosive devices. Snatch Vixen light patrol vehicles also proved vulnerable to roadside bombs regardless of the additional armour and counter-IED measures installed and its latest enhancements. The MoD is now planning to deploy 400 new light protected patrol v