DCM Shriram enters defence manufacturing

DCM Shriram Industries Ltd. (DSIL) made its foray into defence equipment manufacturing with the roll out of Zebu, a Light Bullet Proof Vehicle (LBPV) capable of operating across terrains.

LBPV has been indigenously designed, tested and developed for use by the defence and para-military forces in their strategic activities against foreign aggressors as well as internal insurgents, the company said in a statement. The vehicle was showcased at Defexpo 2018, being held near Chennai.

Apart from catering to domestic market demands, DSIL said it planned to export the equipment, said Alok B. Shriram, vice chairman and deputy MD, DSIL.

“Our company decided to foray into the defence equipment manufacturing space after the announcement of the Defence Procurement Procedure 2016 by the Centre. We have shortlisted four areas which we would like to concentrate on, the primary one being armoured vehicles,” he said.

Protection against IED

According to him, Zebu is meant to protect the armed forces against light automatic weapon fire, small grenade and IED blasts.

Madhav Shriram, deputy MD, said DSIL's mission was to design and manufacture a world-class armoured bullet-proof vehicle, which meets all the requirements of and various service conditions that ‘our armed personnel face and function in’.