The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : MPVs handed over to Army

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

MPVs handed over to Army

Staff Reporter

Mine protected vehicles better in capability compared to the ones imported

First batch of the Army version of MPVs named ‘Yukthirath’
Army ordered 327 MPVs and the numbers could go up constantly

— Photo: MOHD ARIF

latest addition: The mine protected vehicles which were handed over to the Army by Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju at the Ordnance Factory in Medak on Friday.

YEDDUMAILARAM (MEDAK DT.): Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju handed over a fleet of 14 improved mine protected vehicles (MPV) to the Indian Army in the Ordnance Factory here on Friday.

The fleet was handed over to Deputy Director General of Infantry Battalion Brig. B.S. Chauhan at a function.

It was the first batch of the Army version of MPVs named ‘Yukthirath’. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stressed the need for modernisation of armed forces as new weapons and technologies were coming into the weaponry of armed forces around the world. Increasing instability in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Nepal was pressing for speedy modernisation.

Roll out of the improved MPVs was no doubt a proof of the capabilities of the Ordnance Factory but there was lot of scope for improvement in the work culture on the shaft floors. Army had already ordered for 327 MPVs and the numbers could go up constantly as the government was ready to pump in necessary funds, the Minister stated. The MPVs were certified as better in capability compared to the similar imported vehicles from South Africa.

Stating that self-reliance and mechanisation of forces was the ministry’s goal, Mr. Pallam Raju said the country was meeting only 30 per cent of its armed forces’ needs like vehicles, ammunition, guns and artillery indigenously and the rest was being imported.

Zaheerabad MP Suresh Shetkar, Karimnagar MP Ponnam Prabhakar, MLC Bhupal Reddy, Zilla Parishad Chairperson of Medak M. Balaiah, General Manager of the Ordnance Factory R.S. Sodhi and others were present on the occasion.

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