India’s Chennai-based Ashok Leyland Defense Systems has entered into an agreement with Lockheed Martin to develop and produce military vehicles for the Indian market. Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Vehicle or Common Vehicle Next Generation (CVNG) will provide the base platform for this development effort, although there could be “numerous additional opportunities for this development effort” beyond the Indian Light Specialist Vehicles and Light Armored Multipurpose Vehicle projects. The CVNG – described by Lockheed Martin as an armed lightweight military vehicle – is an upgraded version of the company’s High Mobility Transport vehicle in use by U.S. forces.

Ashok Leyland will provide a high-quality, cost effective manufacturing hub for global requirements of these vehicles and variants, and as a licensed manufacturer of the CVNG, this opens up a huge opportunity to globally export this vehicle platform and its variants as a “Made in India” product, reports Defense World.

Scott Greene, Vice President of Ground Vehicles for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said, “Our CVNG is a proven and versatile multi-terrain vehicle currently in service around the world. We are excited about the opportunities that exist to offer the CVNG to India and beyond.”

Nitin Seth, President Light Commercial Vehicles and Defense at Ashok Leyland, said, “We are happy to be working with a major defense company like Lockheed Martin on this development. A combination of their technical expertise and our proven vehicle platforms, will enable us to offer versatile solutions to armed forces across segments.”