India places Rs 177.95 crore order for Kalyani M4

The 16-ton vehicle has an impressive 43-degree approach angle and a 44-degree descent angle -- the world's best off-roaders can manage up to 35 degrees approach and 28 degrees descent. Anish Singh reports

Leading private sector defence equipment maker Bharat Forge on Tuesday said it has received an order worth Rs 177.95 crore from the Indian Army for the supply of protected armoured vehicle Kalyani M4.
 

The order was placed under emergency procurement. 
 

However, neither the company nor the Indian Army revealed the number of vehicles ordered. 

On Monday, the Bharat Forge had announced that it has inked a pact with South African aerospace and technology giant Paramount Group to manufacture armoured vehicles in India.
 

The agreement was during the International Defence Expo (IDEX 2021) held in Abu Dhabi.
 

The Kalyani M4 is a multi-role platform, designed to meet the specific requirements of armed forces for quick mobility in rough terrain and in areas affected by mine and IED threats.

The Kalyani M4 successfully completed a series of extreme vehicle trials in some of the toughest environments in India.
 

Designed as an armoured personnel carrier with a higher emphasis on performance and crew protection, the vehicle can carry a maximum payload of 2.3 tons or a crew of up to eight. The vehicle has a maximum speed of 140 kph with a maximum range of 800 km.
 

The 16-ton vehicle has an impressive 43-degree approach angle and a 44-degree descent angle -- the world's best off-roaders can manage up to 35 degrees approach and 28 degrees descent.

Amit Kalyani, Deputy Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd said, "This collaboration brings together the manufacturing and technology excellence of two leading companies, which have matching synergies and complementary capabilities. The Kalyani M4 is a fantastic new generation vehicle, and we want to position it as the future of protection in all markets worldwide."

Ivor Ichikowitz, Chairman of Paramount Group stated, "All of our technologies have been developed with portable production in mind. We believe this model of world-beating innovative technology is fundamental to enhancing any country’s contemporary defence, and technology capabilities."
 

"The Kalyani M4 is based on one of our flagship armoured vehicles designed specifically for in-country production in India with our partners the Kalyani Group. We are proud that it will be made in India," he said.