PasqualeCairnduf at 03:30, 3 December 2025

2025-12-03T03:30:52Z

New page

{{Short description|Range of trucks produced for the Indian Army}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}

[[File:Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ)'s Stallion Truck for the Indian Army.jpg|thumb|[[Vehicle Factory Jabalpur|Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ)]]'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 [[Indo-Tibetan Border Police|ITBP]].<ref name="a">{{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}}</ref> 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 truck]]s, 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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cag.gov.in/uploads/download_audit_report/2010/Union_Performance_Defence_Procurement_Stores_and_Machinery_15_2010_chapter_7.pdf |title=Procurement of Stores and Machinery in Ordnance Factories, Chapter VII: Contract Management |website=cag.gov.in |access-date=2025-07-20}}</ref>

In February 2005, Ashok Leyland began to market the Stallion in Africa and the Middle East.<ref>https://gulfnews.com/business/ashok-leyland-eyeing-prospects-1.277687</ref>

In August 2006, a report from the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] indicated the Stallions were sold to the Sudanese government, supplied to GIAD Automotive Industry Co through kits.<ref name="PR">https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmquad/873/873we12.htm</ref> Said report raised concerns of British involvement in the sale as some British nationals were listed as Ashok Leyland's board of directors without acquiring a Trade and Brokerage Licence.<ref name="PR"/>

==Design==
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2025}}
[[File:Stallion Indian Army.jpg|thumb|VFJ Stallion Mk III]]
The Stallion is designed for reliability, high mobility, off-road tactical capabilities, protection, and for operation in challenging environments. It is engineered for easy maintenance, particularly in areas lacking supporting infrastructure.<ref name=janes>{{Cite web |url=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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224044948if_/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 |title=Ashok Leyland Stallion Mk III 7,500/5,000 kg (4 x 4) truck (India), Trucks |archive-date=24 February 2011}}</ref>

It 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}}.<ref>{{cite book |last=Grewal |first=J.S. |title=Indian Defence Review: Military Vehicles of India |publisher=Lancer Publishers |year=2014 |pages=112–115}}</ref>

===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.<ref name=mil-today>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130128231517/http://www.military-today.com/trucks/ashok_leyland_stallion.htm Ashok Leyland Stallion Mk.4 - General utility truck]}}</ref> 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.<ref name=janes/><ref name=ofb-vehicles>[http://ofbindia.gov.in/index.php?wh=MV&lang=en Indian Ordnance Factories: Military Vehicles]</ref>

==Variants==
===Super Stallion===
[[File:Ashok Leyland Stallion 6X6 (9686037415).jpg|thumb|Ashok Leyland Super Stallion 6X6.]]
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.ashokleyland.com/products.html |title=Products | Ashok Leyland Defence |access-date=2013-06-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603070902/http://www.defence.ashokleyland.com/products.html |archive-date=2013-06-03 }}</ref> Chassis used for mounting upgraded [[Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher|ERR 122]] [[BM-21 Grad]] MBRL by [[Larsen & Toubro]] for the Indian Army.<ref>{{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}}{{better source needed|date=June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{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}}{{better source needed|date=June 2025}}</ref>

===Stallion Kavach===
[[File:STALLION KAVACH.JPG|thumb|Stallion-based Kavach armored personnel carrier]]
[[Ashok Leyland]] has developed an [[armored personnel carrier]] of the 4x4 Stallion.

===Field Artillery Tractor===
[[File:Le1s 20180228-142634-1-1.jpg|thumb|Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6.]]
[[Ashok Leyland FAT|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|thumb|Panhard TC54 with an armored cab.]]
The [[Panhard]] TC54 is an Ashok Leyland Stallion, but with an Austrian [[Steyr Motors GmbH|Steyr diesel]] engine and a Czech transmission built for a Saudi-Chinese 155mm towed artillery programme.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.military-today.com/trucks/panhard_tc54.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222043913if_/http://www.military-today.com/trucks/panhard_tc54.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=22 February 2009 |title=Panhard TC54 - General utility truck |date= |access-date=2022-08-20}}</ref> It was first developed in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.deagel.com/Armies/TC%2054/a002188 |title=TC 54 |website=deagel.com |access-date=2025-07-20}}</ref>

==Operators==


===Ashok Leyland Stallion===
* {{flag|Honduras}} - 139<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* {{flag|India}} - 70,000+<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-14 |title=Army Stallion {{!}} |url=https://commercialvehicle.in/army-stallion/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sudan}} - 100 sold through kits, assembled by GIAD.<ref name="PR"/>
* {{Flag|Thailand}} - unknown number of Stallion 6x6<ref>{{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}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Ukraine}} - one acquired in October 2022.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
* {{Flag|Zimbabwe}} - 633<ref>{{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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213225642/https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2015/08/07/govts-us50m-military-vehicles-arrive/|archive-date=2015-12-13|access-date=2025-06-28}}</ref>

===Panhard TC54===
* {{Flag|Saudi Arabia}} - 50 Panhard TC54s.<ref name=b>{{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}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Togo}} 80 Panhard TC54s.<ref name=b />

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170725102740/http://defence.ashokleyland.com/products.html Stallion and Super Stallion trucks]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stallion truck}}
[[Category:Military trucks of India]]
[[Category:Ashok Leyland Defence Systems trucks]]

Ashok Leyland Stallion - Revision history

PasqualeCairnduf at 03:30, 3 December 2025