New Delhi, 29 March 2025: The Indian Army and Indian Air Force have placed a substantial order for 2,978 units of the Force Gurkha, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between Force Motors and the Indian Defence Forces. This latest order underscores the robustness, reliability, and mission-readiness of vehicles manufactured by Force Motors, which have been extensively tested through rigorous field trials and evaluations.
Force Gurkha: Built for Extreme Environments
Force Motors has a rich legacy of supplying military-grade vehicles to the Indian Defence Forces, with the Gurkha Light Strike Vehicle (LSV) being a preferred choice due to its exceptional off-road capabilities, adaptability, and durability. Now, the Force Gurkha SUV has been added to this list, reinforcing Force Motors’ engineering prowess and ability to manufacture vehicles that can excel in the most challenging environments.
Key Features That Make Gurkha Ideal for Defence Operations
- High Ground Clearance and Water-Wading Capability
- Force Gurkha boasts a ground clearance of 233 mm, enabling seamless movement across rocky and uneven terrains.
- Its water-wading ability of up to 700 mm makes it ideal for crossing rivers and streams—far surpassing any other vehicle in this segment.
- Equipped with an air intake snorkel, the Gurkha maintains engine performance even while navigating through water bodies.
- 4×4 Setup with Differential Locks
- The Gurkha offers best-in-class 4×4 capability, with mechanically actuated differential locks on both axles, enhancing traction and control in off-road conditions.
- It features an electronic shift-on-fly system, allowing smooth transition between 2H, 4H, and 4L modes, ensuring superior maneuverability across diverse terrains.
- Impressive Approach, Departure, and Rampover Angles
- Gurkha provides an approach angle of 39°, a departure angle of 37°, and a rampover angle of 28°, making it highly capable of tackling steep inclines and rough terrains.
- It also offers a gradeability of 35°, ensuring stability and ease of handling on extreme slopes.
- Powerful and Reliable Engine
- Powered by a 2.6-litre, Mercedes-derived turbocharged intercooled diesel engine, the Gurkha delivers 140 PS and 320 Nm of torque, offering reliable performance in challenging environments.
- The SUV features a 5-speed manual transmission that complements its rugged design and capability.
- Compact Turning Radius for Maneuverability
- The Gurkha’s turning radius of 5.50 meters makes it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, a crucial feature for operational environments.
Customized for Military Requirements
While the stock versions of the 3-door and 5-door Force Gurkha models, launched last year with a starting price of ₹16.75 lakh and ₹18 lakh, respectively, already offer high performance, the units delivered to the Indian Armed Forces will feature additional customizations to meet mission-specific operational requirements.
Force Motors’ Growing Presence in Defence Sector
Force Motors’ commitment to providing mission-ready solutions has been pivotal in building trust with the Indian Defence Forces. The Gurkha’s deployment will further enhance the operational readiness of the Indian Army and Air Force across a variety of terrains, including snow, mud, sand, water, gravel, and mountains.
This landmark order reaffirms Force Motors’ position as a trusted partner in India’s defense ecosystem, ensuring that the nation’s armed forces are equipped with state-of-the-art mobility solutions for their critical missions.
