Toyota Hilux Joins Indian Army’s Fleet, Strengthening Defense Capabilities

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has achieved a significant milestone by handing over a convoy of Toyota Hilux to the Indian Army. This marks the carmaker’s first-ever fleet of the popular pickup truck being delivered to the Army, following an extensive two-month test and evaluation process.

The evaluation of the Toyota Hilux involved rigorous testing in extreme weather conditions and challenging terrains, including altitudes up to 13,000ft and sub-zero temperatures. The Hilux, known for its 4×4 capabilities and impressive water-wading capacity of 700mm, proved its mettle during these evaluations.

Under the hood, the Toyota Hilux is powered by a 2.8-litre diesel engine mated to either a six-speed manual or a torque converter unit. With the manual gearbox, the engine produces 201bhp and 420Nm of torque, while the automatic variants deliver the same power output along with a bumped-up 500Nm of peak torque. All variants are equipped with the 4×4 system as standard, enhancing the vehicle’s off-roading capabilities. With this delivery, the Indian Army’s defence vehicle fleet now includes the Toyota Hilux, Tata Safari Storme, Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Force Gurkha, and Mahindra Scorpio Classic.

V. Wiseline Sigamani, General Manager, Strategic Business Unit (North), Toyota India, expressed delight over the achievement, stating, “We are thrilled to deliver the Hilux, marking a significant milestone, fulfilling our first-ever Hilux order to the Indian Army. We are truly honoured and proud of this opportunity. The Hilux offers unique off-roading characteristics, coupled with enhanced safety features, making it the most ideal vehicle for army purposes and catering to their special needs. We are sure that the Hilux will be a great addition to the army’s fleets and meet the specific requirements of our esteemed clientele. This reaffirms our commitment to offering reliable products, and we look forward to our continued association with the Indian Army in the future.”

With the deployment of Toyota Hilux in the Indian Army, Toyota Kirloskar Motor reinforces its dedication to providing dependable vehicles for various purposes, contributing to the country’s defence and security initiatives.