Mahindra Rakshak

The Mahindra Rakshak is an armored military light utility vehicle made by Mahindra Defense Systems,[6] based on the chassis of the Mahindra Commander jeep.[5]

Mahindra Rakshak
Mumbai Police Mahindra Rakshak during an exhibition.
TypeArmored vehicle
Place of origin India
Service history
In service2000 – Present[1]
Used bySee Users
Production history
DesignerMahindra Defence Systems (Defense Land Systems)[2]
ManufacturerMahindra & Mahindra Defense
Produced2000 – Present
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
Main
armament
  • Light machine gun mount optional for Rakshak[3]
  • Gun mount installed for Rakshak Plus with front/rear protection[4]
TransmissionManual transmission[5]
Suspension4x4, wheeled

The Rakshak was designed to be used in counter-insurgency and anti-terrorism operations.[7]

History

The Rakshak jeep was launched in 2000 in collaboration with Plasan.[1] The vehicle was first manufactured under Mahindra Specialties.[8]

The Rakshak was placed under scrutiny in 2008 when the government alleged that the engine used was suitable for 1,600 kg and below and that the vehicle was 2,660 kg, making it very unsafe to use in areas where militants have a strong influence.[9] In response to this allegation, then MDS CEO Brig. Khutab Hai stated that the company had supplied the army with Rakshaks outfitted with new engines with a higher power and increased torque in order improve the vehicle's ability to climb in hilly terrain.[9] It was suggested that the contract was made under a short time with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) investigating if any rules were violated.[10]

In 2009, the Mahindra Special Military Vehicles in Prithla, Faridabad was established with a capacity to manufacture a minimum of 500 vehicles per year.[11]

In 2012, the Mumbai Police requested a tender for bulletproof, run flat types and tubeless rims to replace those are in use.[12]

Jammu & Kashmir Police reported that in 2014, 100 Rakshaks in service had not received replacement engines following flood damage due to lack of supply.[13]

Design

The Rakshak is made with its armored plating made by Plasan Sasa,[14] obtained via technology transfer.[3] The plating consists of composite steel, ultra hardened steel, high performance polyethylene and aramid laminates.[15]

It is meant to be a cost-effective vehicle for security forces that cannot afford high-end armored vehicles.[16]

It is designed to withstand 7.62mm rounds from 10 meters with the flooring armored to withstand grenade explosions.[14][3] It uses a manual transmission for a four-wheel drive and has the option of installing an air conditioner system.[5] During live fire tests, 41 bullets were fired at the Rakshak and at least one grenade was hurled underneath it.[17]

The vehicle can carry up to 6 persons with 2 seated in front and four at the rear.[18]

Variants

Rakshak Plus

The Rakshak Plus was publicly displayed at the DEFEXPO 2012 convention.[19] It weighs 600 kg and has a PTZ surveillance camera installed, which has a 360 degree view with zooming capacity of 500 meters.[19]

It has a 2.2-litre m-Hawk turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine with a roof gun mount, front and back protection plates, five firing ports, fire suppression material in the fuel tank, air conditioning and power steering.[4] It has level 3 armor.[4]

Users
  •  Ghana: Unknown number of Rakshaks reported to be exported in 2008.[9]
  •  Guyana: Two Rakshaks used by the Guyana Police Force[20][21] under the Berbice Police Division.[22]
  •  India: 200 Rakshaks used by the Indian Army with 800 ordered in 2009,[23] the former purchased in 2005 under a contract for Rs 35.76 crore (US$ 5,384,615.38 as of 2017).[10] Also used by the Mumbai Police.[23] Also used by police forces in Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar Manipur, Tinsukia and Chhattisgarh.[23][24]
  •    Nepal: Unknown number of Rakshaks reported to be exported in 2008.[9]
  •  Sri Lanka: Unknown number of Rakshaks reported to be exported in 2008.[9]

References
  1. "Mahindra Bolero launch this month". Hindu Business Line. 2000-07-13. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13.
  2. "MDS aspires to develop home-grown military hardware and products" (PDF). SP Show News. 2012-03-30. p. 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-13.
  3. "Rakshak (Bullet Proof Vehicle)". Metal Tech Motors. Archived from the original on 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  4. "Mahindra Rakshak Plus at the 2012 Defence Expo". Zig Wheels. 2012-04-03. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13.
  5. "Military versions of Indian civilian vehicles". 2012-05-10. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  6. "Mahindra hands over India's 1st armoured capsule based light bulletproof vehicle to Mumbai Police". Mahindra. Archived from the original on 2017-01-29. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  7. Michael Patrao (2015-04-15). "War or peace, the jeep rolls on". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13.
  8. "New Mahindra vehicles hit the road". Hindu Business Line. 2000-05-25. Archived from the original on 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  9. "Mahindra says 'Rakshak' saved soldiers' lives". Deccan Herald. 2008-04-06. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13.
  10. Ajai Shukla (2008-03-16). "CAG questions army's Rakshak purchase". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13.
  11. "M&M launches military vehicles facility". Construction Week Online. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13.
  12. "Mumbai Police hunts in vain for bullet proof tyres". Rediff News. 2012-11-26. Archived from the original on 2013-04-07.
  13. Deeptiman Tiwary & Praveen Swami (2016-09-15). "Home Ministry sits on report backing less-lethal riot control technology". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  14. "Rakshak Plus". Defense Update. 2004. Archived from the original on 2014-09-27.
  15. https://web.archive.org/web/20021002182132/http://www.mahindraworld.com/mahindras/mahindrdefencesystem/bulletproofvehicle.htm
  16. Midhun Eliyas and V. Hima Kiran Vithal. "CONCEPT DESIGN OF SPECIAL VEHICLES FOR INDIAN MILITARY" (PDF). Dept. of Automotive & Aeronautical Engg, M. S. Ramaiah School of Advanced Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-30.
  17. Moinak Mitra (2003-05-25). "Firms In Arms". Archived from the original on 2013-05-10.
  18. "Mahaindra 3 Door Hard Top". Archived from the original on 2001-03-04.
  19. "Mahindra Rakshak Plus at DEFEXPO 2012". Car Sales India. 2012-04-03. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13.
  20. Sanjay Badri-Maharaj (2016-07-05). "Indian Arms Sales to Latin America". Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Archived from the original on 2016-07-08.
  21. "'B' Division gets fully-loaded armoured vehicle". Kaieteur News. 2010-10-23. Archived from the original on 2016-07-03.
  22. "Berbice Police acquire first armoured motor vehicle". Guyana Chronicle. 2010-10-23. Archived from the original on 2017-08-13.
  23. Neha Rishi (2009-01-28). "Mumbai police to drive M&M; defence vehicles". Daily News & Analysis. Archived from the original on 2015-06-14.
  24. "Arms for Tinsukia cops". Telegraph India. Archived from the original on 2015-08-06.
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