Ordnance Factory Board Mine Protected Vehicle

The Mine Protected Vehicle was developed in 2001 at a cost of US$14 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/weapons/350-MPV.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131130022/https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/weapons/350-MPV.html |title=Mine Protected Vehicle |archive-date=31 January 2017 |access-date=31 January 2017 |url-status=dead }} In 2004, exports were made to Nepal.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131065303/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/diplomatic-concerns-prompt-govt-to-abort-export-of-mine-protected-vehicles-to-iraq/1/191759.html|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/diplomatic-concerns-prompt-govt-to-abort-export-of-mine-protected-vehicles-to-iraq/1/191759.html|title=Fighting shy of a deal|publisher=India Today|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=31 January 2017|date=3 April 2006|author=Sandeep Unnithan}} Sainik Samachar reported in the July 2005 issue that OFB had made a version of the MPV with a remote control weapon system.

The MPV was presented publicly in 2007, with the name of Aditya, under the production of Ordnance Factory Medak.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131073726/http://www.oneindia.com/2007/08/01/aditya-to-be-inducted-in-indian-army-1185973443.html |url=http://www.oneindia.com/2007/08/01/aditya-to-be-inducted-in-indian-army-1185973443.html |title='Aditya' to be inducted into Indian Army |publisher=One India |archive-date=31 January 2017 |access-date=31 January 2017 |url-status=dead }} The Indian Army made a contract to secure 1,400 MPVs, but an order of 250 MPVs was secured in November 2007.

For a short time, there were discreet inquiries made by the US military on the option of purchasing OFB-made MPVs.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131120714/http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/us-expresses-interest-in-indian-mine-protected-vehicle/492862|archive-date=31 January 2017|access-date=31 January 2017|publisher=Outlook|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/us-expresses-interest-in-indian-mine-protected-vehicle/492862|title=US expresses interest in Indian-made mine protected vehicle}}

However following a series of ambushes conducted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that were able to destroy the MPVs as early as 2005, they were described by CRPF director general K. Vijay Kumar as merely “coffins on wheels”.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131110943/http://m.mid-day.com/articles/mine-protected-vehicle-or-coffin-on-wheels/151795 |url=http://m.mid-day.com/articles/mine-protected-vehicle-or-coffin-on-wheels/151795 |archive-date=31 January 2017 |access-date=31 January 2017 |title=Mine Protected Vehicle or coffin on wheels? |publisher=Mid-Day |author=Sushant Singh |date=24 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Centre-looking-into-MPVs-vulnerability-in-anti-Naxal-war/articleshow/11608920.cms? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120124072827/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Centre-looking-into-MPVs-vulnerability-in-anti-Naxal-war/articleshow/11608920.cms |title=Centre looking into MPVs' vulnerability in anti-Naxal war |archive-date=24 January 2012 |access-date=31 January 2017 |date=24 February 2012 |author=Vishwa Mohan |website=The Times of India |url-status=dead }}

The reasoning was simple, the Naxalites were able to produce IEDs containing up to 80 kilograms explosives in weight and no MRAP can be designed to survive the blast force generated by such a massive explosion{{Cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Security-forces-asked-to-shun-armoured-vehicles-in-Naxal-areas/articleshow/10382187.cms |title = Security forces asked to shun armoured vehicles in Naxal areas | India News - Times of India| website=The Times of India | date=17 October 2011 }}{{Cite web | url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/anti-mine-vehicles-reduced-to-coffin-on-wheels_736033.html |title = Anti-mine vehicles reduced to 'coffin on wheels'|date = 11 October 2011}} due to IEDs and not against anti-tank mines.{{sfnp|Camp|Heitman|2014|p=239}}

Hence, the MRAPs were converted to use in limited roles, such as evacuating casualties.{{Cite news | url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/crpf-shifts-mpvs-from-naxal-grid-to-kashmir-for-better-convoy-security/articleshow/52925556.cms | title=CRPF shifts MPVS from Naxal grid to Kashmir for better convoy security| newspaper=The Economic Times| date=13 July 2018}}

This also forced the CRPF to look for alternative means to successfully counter IED ambushes. The CRPF has discontinued most of its MPVs in service in 2012.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121024848/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/armoured-carriers-are-no-protection-in-heavily-mined-maoist-areas/story-8pfwI3pcJWH6xgIyikQtAM.html|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/armoured-carriers-are-no-protection-in-heavily-mined-maoist-areas/story-8pfwI3pcJWH6xgIyikQtAM.html|title=Armoured carriers are no protection in heavily-mined Maoist areas |author=Ejaz Kaiser |archive-date=21 November 2015 |access-date=31 January 2017 |date=15 April 2015}}

In the meantime, their MPVs were sent to Kashmir for use in providing security to CRPF convoys there, since the insurgents operating in the region and in Naxal-influenced areas have different operational methods.{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626111141/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/crpf-shifts-mpvs-from-naxal-grid-to-kashmir-for-better-convoy-security/articleshow/52925556.cms|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/crpf-shifts-mpvs-from-naxal-grid-to-kashmir-for-better-convoy-security/articleshow/52925556.cms|title=CRPF shifts MPVs from Naxal grid to Kashmir for better convoy security|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=26 June 2016|newspaper=Economic Times}} CRPF MPVs in Naxalite areas are limited to evacuating casualties.

In 2012, the CRPF approached OFB specialists from Vehicle Factory Jabalpur and requested for future MPVs to be enhanced for better protection against IEDs.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119235014/http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/crpf-asks-ofb-to-enhance-safety-of-mine-protected-vehicles_811460.html |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/crpf-asks-ofb-to-enhance-safety-of-mine-protected-vehicles_811460.html |title=CRPF asks OFB to enhance safety of mine protected vehicles |date=2012-11-18 |access-date=2017-02-20 |archive-date=19 November 2012 |publisher=Zee News |url-status=dead }}

In response, OFB made an upgraded version of the first MPV, known as the Modern Mine Protected Vehicle or the Yuktirath, which was ordered by the Indian Army with an initial order of 14 MPVs in 2009.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521143432/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maoists-mines-crpf-mpv-explosives/1/671625.html|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maoists-mines-crpf-mpv-explosives/1/671625.html|title=Weak wheeled|author=Jugal R Purohit|date=19 May 2016 |access-date=21 May 2016|archive-date=21 May 2016|publisher=India Today}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/MPVs-handed-over-to-Army/article16505401.ece|title=MPVs handed over to Army|date=5 March 2010|access-date=31 January 2017|work=The Hindu}} The Yukitirath was officially presented for the first time in public in 2012 at the Defexpo 2012 exhibition.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701200848/https://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/ordnance-factory-board-showcases-yuktirath/12320/ |url=https://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/ordnance-factory-board-showcases-yuktirath/12320/ |title=Ordnance Factory Board showcases Yuktirath |author=Sukhpreet Singh |archive-date=1 July 2019 |date=4 April 2012 |url-status=dead }} The Indian Army made an order for 250 MPVs in late September 2016, which is expected to be produced by Vehicle Factory Jabalpur with first deliveries made in 2018. They will be deployed in the Northeastern parts of India and in Kashmir for anti-insurgency operations.

Ordnance Factory Board Medak won the Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award during a ceremony in Dubai in 2016 for excellence in their technology in creating and improving the MPV.{{cite web|url=http://www.maahyderabad.in/ordinance-factory-in-medak-wins-golden-peacock-innovative-product-award-in-dubai/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220031641/http://www.maahyderabad.in/ordinance-factory-in-medak-wins-golden-peacock-innovative-product-award-in-dubai/ |archive-date=20 February 2017 |access-date=2017-02-22 |publisher=MAA Hyderabad |date=2016-05-06 |title=Ordinance Factory in Medak wins 'Golden Peacock Innovative Product Award in Dubai |url-status=dead }}

On September 5, 2022, India gave 10 MPVs as part of a military grant worth Rs 222 million (US$4.25 Million, adjusted for 2024).{{cite web|url=https://english.nepalpress.com/2022/09/05/india-hands-over-military-equipment-to-nepal/|title=India hands over military equipment to Nepal|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905121624/https://english.nepalpress.com/2022/09/05/india-hands-over-military-equipment-to-nepal/|archivedate=2022-09-05|publisher=Nepal Press|date=2022-09-05}}

File:TIDE SECURITY DURING GNC BANDH-3.jpg

Being based on the Casspir, the MPV has the same V-monoque hull with a provision for a Remote weapon station or a mounted turret for a light or medium machine gun for protection and self-defense purposes.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415183330/http://ofb.gov.in/products/data/military/5.htm|url=http://ofb.gov.in/products/data/military/5.htm|title=Mine Protected Vehicle|publisher=Ordnance Factory Board|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=15 April 2012}}{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710191056/http://ofb.gov.in/products/data/military/add_16.htm|url=http://ofb.gov.in/products/data/military/add_16.htm|title=Mine Protected Vehicle with RCWS|publisher=Ordnance Factory Board|access-date=31 January 2017|archive-date=10 July 2016}} The RWS can be armed with machine guns or grenade launchers.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407224636/http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/mpv-indian.htm |url=http://www.defense-update.com/products/m/mpv-indian.htm |date=2004 |access-date=2017-02-22 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |publisher=Defense Update |title=Mine Protected Vehicle |url-status=dead }}

Its use was criticized by the CRPF due to bad armor protection, which means that stronger IEDs can be used to destroy them when they are out on patrols.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100410141848/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100407/jsp/nation/story_12311683.jsp |title=Attack exposes chink in mine vehicle – Rebels thwart machines with big bombs |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100407/jsp/nation/story_12311683.jsp |date=10 April 2010 |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-date=10 April 2010 |author=Sujan Dutta |publisher=Telegraph India |url-status=dead }} Naxalite-made IEDs are composed of fertilisers, gelatins, emulsions and slurries. Their successes in destroying them serves as mainly propaganda for the Naxalites.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408032752/http://idsa.in/idsacomments/MaoistsunderstandthelimitationsofMineProofVehicles_pvraman_300112 |url=http://idsa.in/idsacomments/MaoistsunderstandthelimitationsofMineProofVehicles_pvraman_300112 |title=Maoists understand the limitations of Mine Proof Vehicles |publisher=Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-date=8 April 2014 |author=PV Ramana |date=30 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}

The creation of the Yuktirath has better protection than its predecessor, surviving 14 kg of explosives and 1 kg of shrapnel from 5 metres with a height of 1.5 metres,{{cite magazine|last= Baddelly|first= Adam|date= 1 February 2013|title= Protected Mobility: Many Threats, Many Options|url= https://issuu.com/vishmeh/docs/new_amr_feb-2013|magazine= Asian Military Review|access-date= 31 January 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131111224931/http://issuu.com/vishmeh/docs/new_amr_feb-2013|archive-date= 11 November 2013|url-status= live}} which also includes better axles to be easily replaced in case it gets damaged in an IED ambush. It can also withstand TNT and other types of explosives for up to 42 kg under the wheel and 35 kg under the hull with a 6x6 drivetrain.

The Minister of State for Defence M. M. Pallam Raju mentioned the need for technology to be modernized with the creation of the Yuktirath.{{cite web|url=http://www.brahmand.com/news/Army-should-be-made-selfreliant-to-meet-security-challenges/2381/1/12.html|title=Army should be made self-reliant to meet security challenges|date=31 October 2009|access-date=1 February 2017|publisher=Brahmand|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201053914/http://www.brahmand.com/news/Army-should-be-made-selfreliant-to-meet-security-challenges/2381/1/12.html|archive-date=1 February 2017|url-status=live}}

In tests against the Wer’wolf MKII, the Indian Army said that the MPV failed in most of the tests conducted, such as driving on steep terrain with occasional breakdowns, leaks and broken parts.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305111619/http://www.wmf.com.na/files/india_trial_report.pdf |url=http://www.wmf.com.na/files/india_trial_report.pdf |title=WER'WOLF MKII Mine Protected Vehicle India Trial Report: January – June 2000 |date=2000 |access-date=31 January 2017 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |author=Johan Dippenaar |url-status=dead }} During simulated IED bomb tests, the MPV failed since it destroyed the windows and the floor plates with the rear axles and hull having major damage. At one point, the MPV crew refused to participate in driving the vehicle in the snow as part of the snow test, not trusting its worthiness.

• Aditya – (Literally Sun in Sanskrit){{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/aditya | title=Aditya, Āditya: 42 definitions | date=19 December 2011 }} First version of the MPV. It was made in 2001, but was publicly announced in 2007. It's built to withstand TNT and other types of explosives for up to 14 kg under the wheel and 10 kg under the hull.
• Yuktirath – Second version of the MPV. It's built to withstand bomb attacks from TNT and other types of explosives for up to 42 kg under the wheel and 35 kg, alongside 14 kg of explosives and 1 kg of shrapnel from 5 metres with a height of 1.5 metres under the hull with a 6×6 drivetrain. The other known variant aside from the MRAP version is a light armored recovery vehicle, which has a 4x4 drivetrain.

File:Joint operation against ADF in Beni (13247016334).jpgn WZ551 passing by the wreck of a Nepalese MVP, destroyed one year earlier during MONUSCO operations against the ADF in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.]]

• {{flag|India}}: Sold to the Indian Army and various paramilitary forces. 266 Aditya-type MPVs sold to the Indian Army and 120 for paramilitary forces in 2006. 250 MPVs sold in 2007. 14 Yuktirath-type MPVs sold with 329 ordered in 2009 with 250 MPVs purchased in 2016.
• {{flag|Myanmar}}: unknown numbers of MPVs provided by India in 2006 for use against Assamese militants operating from Myanmar, currently unknown if operational.{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=SIPRI Trade Register|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|access-date=20 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|archive-date=14 April 2010|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}
• {{flag|Nepal}}: Sold to the Nepalese Army, being used in anti-insurgency operations against Maoist guerrillas during the civil war. 65 MPVs, followed by 30 MPVs were sold in 2004.{{cite journal |last= Verman|first=Bharat |date= April–June 2004 |title=Indian Defence Supplies for Nepal |journal=Indian Defence Review |volume= 19|issue=2 |pages=110}} 25 were subsequently sold. 124 MPVs used, most of them purchased due to Indian military grants.{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org |access-date=2013-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |archive-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=live }} 10 MPVs handed over from India.

• {{flag|Iraq}}: Won a contract to produce 300 MPVs for the Iraqi Army with a cost of Rs.1.5 Billion (US$28.81 Million, adjusted for 2024) at Rs.5 Million (US$93.000, adjusted for 2024) per vehicle. Due to undisclosed reasons from the MEA and MOD, OFB was forced to call off the production.

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Cite book|first1=Steve|last1=Camp|first2=Helmoed Römer|last2=Heitman|year=2014 |title=Surviving the Ride: A Pictorial History of South African-Manufactured Mine-Protected Vehicles|publisher= 30 Degrees South Publishers|isbn=978-1928211174}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Ordnance Factory Board Mine Protected Vehicle}}

{{MRAP vehicles}}

Category:Armoured personnel carriers of India

Category:Post–Cold War military equipment of India

Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 2000s