Explained: What are Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles and why does the Indian Army need such vehicles?

What is the News?

The Indian Army has issued a Request For Information(RFI) for the supply of Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles to be deployed in Ladakh and Kutch.

What are Articulated All Terrain Vehicles?

Articulated All-Terrain Vehicle is a twin cabin, tracked, amphibious carrier for off-road mobility. 

The special design of this vehicle exerts low ground pressure on the soil and a pull-push mode of locomotion between two cabins facilitates mobility over varied terrains like snow, desert and slush. 

A ballistic protection in the cabin body ensures protection to troops travelling in it from small arms fire.

Where can these vehicles be used?

These vehicles are very useful to move troops or supplies in snow-bound terrains and in marshy/sandy environments. 

They can be very effective for patrolling and rapid deployment in operational situations.

For instance, the Indian Army wishes to use these vehicles in the snow-bound areas of Ladakh and in the marshy terrain of the Rann of Kutch.

Who manufactures such vehicles?

There are several Western manufacturers of Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles including Canada and Finland.

Source: This post is based on an article “Explained: What are Articulated All-Terrain Vehicles and why does the Indian Army need such vehicles?” published in Indian Express on 29th March 2022.