The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, which has served the country for decades carrying soldiers through hills, mountains and deserts, will soon be completely eliminated. Currently, there are around 35,000 Maruti Gypsies in the Indian Army. It has been decided to replace them with another vehicle. A tender for the same will be issued in coming months.The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has cleared the Army’s proposal regarding the same.

The Army is planning to acquire Light Vehicles GS 4X4 as replacement for the Maruti Gypsies. It has received clearance for purchasing 4,964 of such vehicles. More will be bought in phases. The Army is looking for a vehicle that can be used in plains, deserts and rugged terrains like the mountains. In addition, such soft-top vehicles can allow soldiers to place rifles and mount recoilless guns as well. Besides, it should also allow easy movement of quick reaction teams. A decision has been taken to issue open tenders for inviting the vehicle manufacturers.

Maruti Suzuki had stopped commercial manufacturing but the Army in 2018 got a special permission to order it. As the Gypsies completely retire, five strong SUVs are considered to fill their gaps in the army. It is yet to be seen that who among the five shall receive the opportunity to serve the country. Let’s learn more about the models that are about to replace the Gypsies.

Mahindra Thar

The Thar, Mahindra’s pride, is more powerful than the Gypsy used in the Army. It can move through any type of terrain like a king and has more modern amenities and advanced powertrains than the Gypsy. It can meet tighter emission standards and is available in petrol or diesel engines.

Gurkhas

The Gurkha was used by the Army in the late 1990s. It is more comfortable for the passengers and can be used in adverse conditions. It comes with additional safety features like dual front airbags, rear parking sensors, cornering lighting, and a tyre pressure monitoring system. It is suitable for military applications where on-road performance is not a priority.

Jeep Compass

Jeep Compass stands first in terms of strength and beauty. However, its huge price is a setback. Its specialities include comfortable interiors, a smooth ride, and hardware and software capabilities that can handle rough terrain among others. Its safety package includes a 360-degree camera, six airbags, underbody protection plates, stability control, and electronic roll mitigation. If selected, the Jeep Compass will serve as an SUV that can handle both rough treks and conventional roads.

Maruti Jimny

Jimny, who comes from the departing Gypsy family, is also a deserving candidate to join the army. This four-door variant is expected to arrive in India by 2023. It will be powered by a fuel-efficient yet powerful mild-hybrid 1.5-litre petrol engine and will be safer than the old Gypsy. The modern and powerful Jimny has all rights to be the successor the Gypsy.

Mahindra Bolero Neo

In many parts of the country, Mahindra Bolero Neo has replaced Gypsy in the police fleets. It is likely to happen in the Army as well. It also comes with the same 1.5-litre diesel engine similar to the Bolero.