New DelhiRussian President Vladimir Putin landed at Palam Airport in Delhi on 4 December, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came here to receive him, After the reconciliation, both the leaders sat in a white SUV and left towards Lok Kalyan Marg, This is the official residence of the PM, The vehicle in which both of them left was not a formal or official vehicle of any of them, In such a situation, a question arose in people’s minds that is this vehicle so safe that two world leaders can travel in it without fear of any danger? Obviously it is not a common car, It has been specially prepared for such occasions only,
You will be surprised to know that the company sells only normal vehicles on its own behalf, but after that it is made armored with the help of a third party. The car in which both the leaders left was a Toyota Fortuner. This is a Japanese company which works in joint venture with Kirloskar in India. This car comes out of the factory like a normal car. After this they are handed over to those companies who can make them as safe and strong as a tank. The question is, which company turns an ordinary vehicle into a ‘mobile fort’? And how does all this happen?
Mahindra Defense tops
In India, the name of a company like Mahindra Defense Systems comes at the top in making such special and armored vehicles. It is a part of the same Mahindra Group, which we know for making vehicles ranging from tractors to Scorpio. For years, Mahindra has manufactured strong and durable vehicles that run on the roads of India. But working in the defense sector was a completely different challenge. There is no scope for any mistake here.
more work than building a car
Making bulletproof vehicles is not like making a new model in a factory. It is a science. On one hand, the security should be such that it can withstand even an AK-47 bullet and on the other hand, the weight of the vehicle should not increase so much that it cannot move. The first struggle faced by Mahindra’s team was to find the right material. They were looking for a combination of steel, glass and other materials that would be light and could stop even the most lethal attacks. They needed engineering experts who could make every part of a normal vehicle, from its hinges to its tyres, meet safety standards. Spent many years in research and development. There were a lot of failures, real bullets were fired at prototype vehicles, and something new was learned in every test.
successful trial
Then came the day which became the turning point of this entire journey. A normal Toyota Fortuner was parked on a closed testing track of the company. A security expert fired several rounds from a distance. There were loud explosions of bullets and the heartbeats of every member of the team were fast. When the smoke cleared, everyone saw that the bullet had left a mark on the outer layer, but it could neither penetrate inside nor break the glass. This was not just passing a test, it was a victory of faith that an Indian company could also make a world class safety vehicle. From this moment, the journey of Mahindra Defense Systems’ Armored Vehicles gained new momentum.
Model to make vehicle bullet proof
The model on which Mahindra and other companies in this sector work is based on very simple but extremely complex technology.
- Changing the Shell: The interior of the vehicle is completely opened. Layers of lightweight but strong composite materials like ballistic steel plates and Kevlar are installed inside the doors, roof, and pillars. These layers are welded in such a way that no gap is left for the bullets.
- Miraculous Glass: This glass is not ordinary. It is made up of several layers of multi-layer polycarbonate and glass, whose thickness can be up to 3 inches. The bullet breaks the outer layer, but the next layers absorb its energy, and it is unable to penetrate.
- Weight Management: By doing all this the weight of the vehicle increases by hundreds of kilograms. Therefore, the suspension, braking system and tires of the vehicle are upgraded. Run-Flat Inserts are inserted in the tyres, so that even if the tire gets punctured, the vehicle can run at high speed for a certain distance.
- Interior Overlap: The most important thing is Overlap. Additional plates are placed on the sides of the doors where the steel plates meet to prevent a bullet from penetrating through the joint.
Gradually, Mahindra made its place in the market on the basis of its quality and reliability. The Indian government also started making armored vehicles from them for its leaders and security personnel. This was a proud moment for the country.
when faced with a challenge
Many interesting stories were also associated with this growth. Once a representative of a foreign company challenged Mahindra’s bulletproofing, thinking that the Indian company could not work with such precision. Mahindra invited him to its testing track, where he not only demonstrated the safety of his car but also proved it to meet many international standards. This victory was not just a victory of business but of the potential of ‘Make in India’.
Security for soldiers too
Mahindra Defense has manufactured many types of armored vehicles not only for politicians but also for the Indian Army and paramilitary forces. Their vehicles like Mahindra Armado and Mahindra Marksman are today providing security to our soldiers in the most dangerous areas of the country. These vehicles provide protection not only from bullets but also from grenades and IED blasts. Mahindra has made a deep hold in the defense sector and has won huge contracts worth several crores of rupees. Today Mahindra Defense Systems has become a multi-crore valuation company, which is selling its armored vehicles and security technology not only in India but also to many countries of the world.
Today, when we see a leader or a VIP on TV. When we see a Fortuner or any SUV in a convoy, we know that it is not just a car. This is the story of the sweat, determination and hard work of India’s engineers that have transformed an ordinary machine into an impenetrable shield. This story teaches us that when any work is done with the intention of serving the country and quality, then success in it is certain. The echo of bullets that night has now turned into a roar of confidence, which makes every Indian feel that our country has the strength to deal with every challenge.
