Date : October 14,1999 Published from : Corporate Office
Ashok Leyland introduced its latest model, the YAK 4x4, at the Defexpo '99 (October 12-16, 1999) being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
YAK 4X4 is an upgraded version of the Stallion 4x4. It is one of the modern and high performance vehicles developed by Ashok Leyland for the armed forces. These vehicles follow the success of the Stallion in the recent Indo-Pak conflict at Kargil this summer.
An IVECO 8060.25 water-cooled engine with a maximum output of 177 PS @ 2700 rpm powers the YAK 4x4. This is 10% extra power as compared to the Stallion. The model has been specifically designed to provide greater mobility across any terrain.
In addition to the YAK, Ashok Leyland also plans to launch a family of modernized vehicles with commonality in parts. These specialized vehicles are currently under various stages of development. These include:
1. High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) 6x6: An all-wheel drive (6x6 vehicle), its larger tyres and differential lock give HMV unmatched mobility even under difficult underfoot conditions.
2. Truck Fire Fighting (TFF) 4X2: This is developed as the main fire fighting equipment for the fire services in the Army. Water Tank capacity is 3200 ltrs and foam capacity, 425 ltrs.
3. Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 6x6: Common FAT for medium guns, used as gun tower for 155mm and 130mm guns. Self-loading facility for ammunition carried on the vehicle and winch for self-recovery are special features.
4. Light Recovery Vehicles (LRV) 4X4: Recovery and towing vehicle for unditching, uprighting and pulling up gradient of all Military 'B' (5T- 7.5T) vehicle casualties. Can also be used as a mobile crane for specific purposes.
Ashok Leyland, the Hinduja group flagship has been a pioneer in design, development and manufacture of special vehicles for the Armed forces since the last three decades. First came the Hippos: in the 70s, 1200 of them were supplied for GS role, dozer carriers, torpedo carriers and for mounting sophisticated communication equipment. Later, over 1000 Comet 4x4s and passenger vehicles joined the Armed forces. Ashok Leyland fire fighters such as Crash Fire Tenders and Rapid Intervention Vehicles have been doing duty in Naval / Airforce airfields. Ashok Leyland also supplies diesel engines for various applications such as vehicle re-powering, Naval boats, cranes, ground-starter aggregates, compressors and generators.
Ashok Leyland has also transferred technology for assembly and manufacture of Stallion 4x4 in the Government sector under a license agreement.
For the Ashok Leyland Stallion 4x4s, it was baptism by fire at Kargil in the Indian summer of 1999. And they lived up to their promise in a critical mission under the most trying conditions.
Employing the Stallion technology, Yak 4x4 is a product upgradation offering a greater mobility across terrains. YAK is powered by an IVECO 8060.25 water-cooled engine with a maximum output of 177 PS @ 2700 rpm - that is 10% extra power compared to Stallion.