Ordnance Factory Board unveils MPV MK-III
The Indian Ordnance Factory Board, an industrial setup functioning under the Ministry of Defence has, unveiled its flagship MPV (mine protected vehicle) MK – III – Yuktirath. Apart from the MK – III launch, the military equipment maker also showcased its light armoured vehicle the Yuktirath-lam and the wheeled armoured personnel carrier the Chakrarath-bmp.
The Yuktirath Mk – III MPV is designed to carry 10+2 personnel with a high degree of protection against small arms and land mines. The 19-tonne GVW MPV is capable of carrying 2 tonnes of payload, has a gradeability of 30 degrees and can touch a maximum speed of 85 km/ hr . It can take up to 42 kg of TNT mine blast. On account of its 6x6 driveline, the MPV works well on all kinds of terrain. It is equipped with a SRCWS (stabilised remote control weapon system) which enhances its capability to engage targets during day as well as night, even while being able to perform remote surveillance.
The V-shaped monocoque body has windows with impact resistant glasses. The inside cabin has a split type air conditioner. The doors and the bonnet are pneumatically controlled. The MPV has remotely operated rotating search lights for 360 degree operations. It can also run on flat tyres.
‘We pioneered the concept of an MPV for India. Now, to further improve upon our offerings, we are focussing on developing variants for applications such as recovery and recce,’ says a senior OFB official who wishes to be anonymous.
He explains that as the OFB already has a 14 kg TNT MPV, it decided to go all the way and make a 42 kg TNT blast protected MPV. Thus, the idea of the MK – III was established. OFB is aiming at an even higher capability MPV in the near future. In this the company believes that its strength lies in its indigenous capabilities. ‘Apart from the artillery system, our technology is entirely indigenous. This sets us apart from private sector competition,’ claims the official.
Apart from the MK – III which can be deployed for counter insurgency operations, OFB also showcased a 4x4 Yuktirath – LAM light armoured multipurpose Vshaped monocoque vehicle. The 8 tonne GVW LAM has a maximum speed of 95 km/hr and can carry a payload of 2 tonnes. It has a gradeability of 30 degrees when fully loaded. The relatively smaller LAM is protected against 10 kg TNT blasts. The vehicle has a seating capacity of 2+2.
The third vehicle on display was the 14.5 tonne GVW Chakrarath wheeled BMP with a payload of 2 tonnes. The 6x6 Chakrarath is a conversion of a tracked BMP to a wheeled armoured personnel carrier. The conversion has made it lighter than the former. ‘The product is intended for deployment in a wide spectrum of operations including urban warfare,’ says the official. The BMP, characterised by features such as power assisted steering, run flat tyres and gradeability of 30 degrees has a top speed of 90 km/hr.