:Ashok Leyland Stallion
{{Short description|Range of trucks produced for the Indian Army}}
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File:Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ)'s Stallion Truck for the Indian Army.jpg's Stallion 4X4 Truck for the Indian Army]]
The Stallion range of trucks is produced by Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (previously Ordnance Factory Board) for the Indian Armed Forces.
The Stallion forms the logistical backbone of the Indian Armed Forces, with over 60,000 Stallions used by the Indian Army and several thousand are used by ITBP.{{cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/news/ashok-leyland-defence-arm-ties-up-with-kraussmaffei/753566/0|title=Ashok Leyland defence arm ties up with Krauss-Maffei|work=The Financial Express |date=23 February 2011}} Stallions in a wide range of configurations were in active service with the Indian Army as of 2010. The Stallions have replaced the erstwhile workhorses of the Armed Forces, the Shaktiman trucks, which has been phased out.
History
On 10 August 1998, a license was granted by Ashok Leyland to produce the Stallion Mk III variant at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur.https://cag.gov.in/sites/default/files/audit_report_files/Union_Performance_Defence_Procurement_Stores_and_Machinery_15_2010_chapter_7.pdf {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}
Design
The Stallion is a medium-duty defence vehicle of the Indian Army with multiple logistical and tactical applications. The Stallion 4x4 and Stallion 6x6 are operational on varied terrains, from coastal operations to high-altitude bases, from deserts to snow-covered mountainous regions, at altitudes up to {{convert|5500|m}} and temperatures ranging from {{cvt|−35|to|55|C|F}}.
Variants
===Super Stallion===
File:Ashok Leyland Stallion 6X6 (9686037415).jpg
The Super Stallion is an upgraded version of the Stallion. The 6x6 is rated at 10 tonnes while the 8x8 is rated at 12 tonnes.{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.ashokleyland.com/products.html |title=Products | Ashok Leyland Defence |accessdate=2013-06-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603070902/http://www.defence.ashokleyland.com/products.html |archivedate=2013-06-03 }} Chassis used for mounting upgraded ERR 122 BM-21 Grad MBRL by Larsen & Toubro for the Indian Army.{{Cite web |title=Next Generation Weapons Technology - Indian army Grad BM21 upgrade The vehicle platform for Grad BM21 Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) is an all-wheel drive, high mobility platform built for the Grad BM21 launcher. Key features: Automatic transmission with effective cross-country mobility. Redundant power source with advanced power distribution system for powering the launcher. Suspension lock system to stabilize the platform during rocket firing. {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/NextGenerationWeapons/photos/indian-army-grad-bm21-upgradethe-vehicle-platform-for-grad-bm21-multi-barrel-roc/2900866403282173/?_rdr |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}{{Cite tweet |number=1307552618424807426 |user=strategicfront |title=IA's upgraded BM-21 Grad on an Ashok Leyland Super Stallion truck. The older Russian truck(Pic4) was replaced. The upgrade was done by Ashok Leyland and L&T. Since the Army already uses the Super Stallion in huge numbers this allows streamlining of logistics, spares & services. |date=2020-09-20 |access-date=2024-08-27}}
=Stallion Kavach=
Ashok Leyland has developed an armored personnel carrier of the 4x4 Stallion.
=Field Artillery Tractor=
File:Le1s 20180228-142634-1-1.jpg
Field Artillery Tractor is a variant developed for towing heavy artillery guns on 4×4 and 6×6 platform.
Foreign Variants
File:Salon du Bourget 20090619 043.jpg
The French built Panhard TC54 is an Ashok Leyland Stallion but with an Austrian Steyr diesel engine and a Czech transmission built for a Saudi-Chinese 155mm towed artillery programme. 50 were delivered to Saudi Arabia and 80 to Togo.{{cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/trucks/panhard_tc54.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222043913/http://www.military-today.com/trucks/panhard_tc54.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 February 2009 |title=Panhard TC54 General Utility Truck |publisher=Military-Today.com |date= |accessdate=2022-08-20}}
Manufacture
The Stallion is manufactured by the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) of Ordnance Factory Board.
The Stallion is designed for reliability, high mobility, off-road tactical capabilities, protection, and for operation in challenging environments. It's engineered for easy maintenance, particularly in areas lacking supporting infrastructure.[http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Military-Vehicles-and-Logistics/Ashok-Leyland-Stallion-Mk-III-7-500-5000-kg-4-x-4-truck-India.html Ashok Leyland Stallion Mk III 7,500/5,000 kg (4 x 4) truck (India) - Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics]
Ashok leyland defence systems (ALDS) provides a complete package to customers along with options such as Fleet Management System, maintenance kits, training packages, electronic publications along with global warehouse support.
Vehicle configurations
The Stallion range offers various driveline configurations and standard bodies for each configuration. All base variants are
available in right hand drive or left hand drive, manual or automatic transmission and armoured or non-armoured cabins. Ashok Leyland Defence also offers Stallion kits to various manufacturers who sell armoured vehicles and Mine Protected Vehicles (MPV).
The standard troop carrying/cargo-type platform body is fitted with steel drop sides, a single-piece drop tailgate, and a removable tarpaulin and bows.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130128231517/http://www.military-today.com/trucks/ashok_leyland_stallion.htm Ashok Leyland Stallion General Utility Truck {{!}} Military-Today.com]}} An optional feature includes a torsion-free body.
The Stallion chassis has been adapted into a wide range of variants, including: Troop Carrier with Armoured Cab, Troop Carrier, Troop Carrier with Crane, Fuel Bowser, Water Bowser, Recovery Vehicle, ISO Container / Twist Locks, Fire Fighting Trucks, Tipper, MPV Kits.[http://ofbindia.gov.in/index.php?wh=MV&lang=en Indian Ordnance Factories: Military Vehicles]
Operators
- {{HND}} - 139{{Cite web |title=Big Honduras Armed Forces order for AL vehicles – Motorindia |url=https://www.motorindiaonline.in/big-honduras-armed-forces-order-for-al-vehicles/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |language=en-US}}
- {{IND}} - 70,000+{{Cite web |date=2017-02-14 |title=Army Stallion {{!}} |url=https://commercialvehicle.in/army-stallion/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |language=en-GB}}
- {{Flag|Saudi Arabia}} - 50 Panhard TC54, a derivative of Stallion.{{cite web|url=http://www.military-today.com/trucks/panhard_tc54.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222043913/http://www.military-today.com/trucks/panhard_tc54.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 February 2009|title=Panhard TC54 General Utility Truck - Military-Today.com}}
- {{Flag|Togo}} 80 Panhard TC54.
- {{Flag|Thailand}} - unknown numbers of Stallion 6x6{{cite web|date=2019-05-02|title=Royal Thai Navy {{!}} ยุทโธปกรณ์ในกองทัพเรือไทย|url=https://thaiarmedforce.com/royal-thai-navy-%e0%b8%a2%e0%b8%b8%e0%b8%97%e0%b9%82%e0%b8%98%e0%b8%9b%e0%b8%81%e0%b8%a3%e0%b8%93%e0%b9%8c%e0%b9%83%e0%b8%99%e0%b8%81%e0%b8%ad%e0%b8%87%e0%b8%97%e0%b8%b1%e0%b8%9e%e0%b9%80%e0%b8%a3/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=ThaiArmedForce|language=th}}
- {{Flag|Ukraine}} -1 unit acquired in October 2022.
- {{Flag|Zimbabwe}} -633 {{cite web|url=https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2015/08/07/govts-us50m-military-vehicles-arrive/|title=Govt's US$50m military vehicles arrive|date=7 August 2015}}
References
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External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170725102740/http://defence.ashokleyland.com/products.html Stallion and Super Stallion trucks]
{{commons category|Ashok Leyland military vehicles}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stallion truck}}