Commercial vehicle manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra on Tuesday said it is in discussion with UK-based defence equipments major BAE Systems for developing an Indian mine protected vehicle that safeguards occupants from anti-tank mine detonations.
BAE Systems and Mahindra Defence are in discussion to jointly develop an Indian mine protected vehicle based on UK firm's highly successful RG-31 mine protected vehicle, Mahindra & Mahindra said in a filing to Bombay Stock Exchange.
"Mahindra Defence Systems is in the business of providing vehicle protection to defence forces," Mahindra Defence Systems Chief Executive Brigadier Khutub Hai said.
BAE Systems has already supplied 165 mine protected vehicles known as Casspir to the Indian Army since 1999.
"Our cooperation with BAE Systems, who are leaders in this field, for joint production of mine protected vehicles is a strategic fit for our vehicle armouring business," Hai added.
Nearly 600 RG-31s are in service with the US, Canada and other forces, including the United Nations. Under the US Department of Defence's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected programme, 624 RG-31s have been ordered. Shares of Mahindra & Mahindra were trading at Rs 590, down 1.20 per cent on BSE in afternoon trade.