Pune: As part of ‘Make In India’ initiative, Tata Motors on Saturday rolled out the 1500th GS800 Safari Storme (SUV) vehicle specially designed for Indian Army, an official said.

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre and Tata Motors Vice-President (Defence & Government Business) Vernon Noronha flagged off the vehicles as part of a total 3192-vehicle order to the Army.

The Safari Storme GS800 4X4 is indigenously designed to meet the requirements of the Indian Army with a contemporary, highly reliable and sturdier diesel SUV with robust features and a minimum payload capacity of 800 kg.

The vehicles has undergone a rigorous trial of 15 months in varied terrains across the country, demonstrating its supreme performance, with capability of coping with on-road and off-road terrains.

Tata Motors rolls out Safari Storme exclusively for Indian Army under ‘Make In India’ initiative:

Offering 60 per cent higher payload, 70 higher power and 200 per cent higher torque, the vehicle has been customized to endure severely rugged conditions ranging from high altitudes drives, snow-bound regions, crossing deserts or marshy lands, said Noronha.

The Safari Storme incorporates other special features like recovery hooks, jerry can and fog lamps to cater to Army requirements during missions, bucket seats and mobile charging point.

The low maintenance vehicle has heating and air-conditioning, demisting, power windows and accommodate six persons comfortably in the cabin.

So far, the past 60 years of its services to the defence sector, Tata Motors has supplied over 150,000 vehicles to the military and security forces, Noronha added.