The Ashok Leyland FAT is a family of all-terrain military truck designed, developed and produced by Indian automobile manufacturer Ashok Leyland. The design is broadly based on Ashok Leyland Super Stallion truck.[3][2] It is primarily used for towing a wide range of artillery guns. It will replace the aging fleet of KrAZ-255 and Scania SBAT111S used by the Indian Army.[4][5]
| Ashok Leyland Field Artillery Tractor[1] | |
|---|---|
 FAT 6×6 undergoing trials | |
| Type | Medium/Heavy truck (4×4 and 6×6) |
| Place of origin | India |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2017-present |
| Used by | Indian Army Tanzanian Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ashok Leyland Defence Systems |
| Manufacturer | Ashok Leyland |
| Produced | 2017–present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9,945 kg (9.945 t) (4×4) 22,000 kg (22 t) (6×6) |
| Length | 6282 mm (4×4) 8730 mm (6×6) |
| Width | 2500 mm (4×4) 2600 mm (6×6) |
| Height | 2950 mm (4×4) 3300 mm (6×6) |
| Crew | 4 operators + 6 additional spaces |
| Engine | 8.1 L I6 Neptune CRS turbo-diesel 160 hp (4×4) 360 hp (6×6) |
| Payload capacity | 3,000 kg (4×4) 8,000 kg (6×6) |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual (4×4) 8-speed manual (6×6) |
| Suspension |
|
| Ground clearance | 300 mm (4×4) 400 mm (6×6) |
| Fuel capacity | 212 L (4×4) 350 L (6×6) |
Operational range | 700 km |
| Maximum speed | 86 km/h |
Steering system | power-assisted steering |
| References | [2][3] |
There are two variants of the truck
Development
editIn 1986, when the Indian Army purchased 410 FH77B Bofors howitzers, they also ordered 660 SBAT111S trucks. 30 years later, these trucks had become obsolete and the Army looked for a replacement.[4]
Ashok Leyland is one of the biggest suppliers of logistics vehicles to Indian Army; the company's Stallion truck has over 60,000 units in service with Indian Army. Thus, the development of FAT or Field Artillery Tractor was started as a private venture to replace the ageing fleet of Scania trucks.[6]
Design & features
editAshok Leyland FAT 4×4
editIt is powered by Ashok Leyland's in-house developed engine that gives 160 hp (120 kW) of power and 550 Nm of maximum torque. This is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The truck runs on full-time 4-wheel drive system with all axles having differential lock. The FAT 4×4's towing capacity is rated at 3 tonnes. The cargo bay is fitted with a crane for loading/unloading ammunition and other equipment.[3]
Ashok Leyland GTV 6×6
edit
It is powered by Ashok Leyland's in-house developed 8-litre Neptune series engine that gives 360 hp (270 kW) of power and 1,400 Nm of torque at 1,300 rpm. This is mated to an 8-speed manual transmission (2-speed transfer case). The truck runs on full-time 6-wheel drive system with all axles having differential lock.
The FAT 6x6's towing capacity is rated at 8 tonnes. The driver's cabin can hold four people and the crew cabin just behind it can hold six. The cargo bay is fitted with a 2.7 tonne crane for loading/unloading ammunition and other equipment. There is a roof hatch for observation, emergency exit and firing. At the front, the truck has a 10 tonne self-recovery winch.[7]
Other features include a fire and smoke detection unit, an infrared rear-view camera and Indeginised Rotex central tire inflation system. For driver's comfort, cab is equipped with HVAC.[8]
Production
editIn March 2016, Ashok Leyland won a contract for supplying 450 units of the FAT 6x6 along with other "Super Stallion" vehicles and 825 units of "Ambulance 4x4" to the army. The total order was worth ₹825 crore.[9] In 2017, the first batch of trucks was delivered.[10]
In July 2023, another order was placed for Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 4×4 [Ashok Leyland Topchi] and Gun Towing Vehicle (GTV) 6×6 worth ₹800 crore. The order will be executed in 12 months.[11][12][13]
Operators
edit- India
- Indian Army – Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 4×4 and Gun Towing Vehicle (GTV) 6×6
- Tanzania – Field Artillery Tractor (FAT) 4×4[3]
References
edit- ^ "FAT 6x6 tech specs" (PDF). Ashok Leyland Defense Systems. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
- ^ a b c "FAT 6x6". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "FAT 4x4". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Indian Army orders Ashok Leyland FAT 6×6 – 2016 DefExpo". Sagar Patel. Rushlane. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
- ^ Dutta, Amrita Nayak (24 June 2021). "Army plans to buy 2,000 gun-towing vehicles to move medium guns on hilly & desert terrain". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland FAT". Military Today.
- ^ "ASHOK LEYLAND FAT 6X6 FIRST DRIVE REVIEW". OverDrive.in. Rahul Richard.
- ^ "Review:Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6". BBC TopGear. Sriram Narayanan.
- ^ Patel, Sagar (30 March 2016). "Indian Army orders Ashok Leyland FAT 6x6 - 2016 DefExpo (LIVE)". RushLane. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland wins Rs 800 crore order from armed forces". Times of India. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland bags orders worth Rs 800 crore from Indian Army". The Economic Times. 17 July 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland bags Rs 800-crore worth of defence orders". BusinessLine. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Ashok Leyland bags Defence orders worth Rs. 800 Cr". www.ashokleyland.com. Retrieved 26 August 2024.