Logistics is not only about the supply of materiel to an army in times of war. It also includes the ability of the national infrastructure and manufacturing base to equip, support and supply the armed forces, the national transportation system to move the forces to be deployed and its ability to resupply that force once they are deployed. And without well-developed transportation systems, logistics cannot bring its advantages into full play.

The importance of logistics in the field can be gauged from Lord Wavell’s statement: “Ultimately real knowledge of supply and movement factors must be the basis of every leader’s plan; only then can he know how and when to take risks with these factors, and battles and wars are won by taking risks.”

The supply and movement of ration, fuel, ammunition, clothing, stores and other warlike equipment from peace time depots forward to operational sectors so as to provide the field formations their requirements on time, harmonised with their operational plans, is the job of a logistician. For mobile and swift offensive operations, the logistician has to be literally a magician to ensure that all requirements are within reasonable turn around distance. This will ensure that commanders at various levels do not have to look back, over their shoulders, and all requirements are pushed forward. This requires an echeloned system of maintenance from rear areas to forward areas and vice versa to ensure smooth movement of logistic convoys.

It is logistics that will determine the forces that can be delivered to the theatre of operations, what forces can be supported once there and what will then be the tempo of operations. Logistics is not only about the supply of materiel to an army in times of war. It also includes the ability of the national infrastructure and manufacturing base to equip, support and supply the armed forces, the national transportation system to move the forces to be deployed and its ability to resupply that force once they are deployed.

Modes of Transportation

Without well-developed transportation systems, logistics cannot bring its advantages into full play. Besides, in business, a good transport system in logistics activities can provide better logistics efficiency, reduce the operation cost, and promote service quality. The improvement of transportation systems in the armed forces needs an estimate of the terrain over which the goods have to move and accordingly the transportation system has to be designed. For example, if the troops, rations, fuel, medicines, ammunition, etc have to be moved over terrain in which there are no roads existing then all the above items have to be moved in high mobility wheeled or tracked vehicles or moved by aircraft. If there are no airstrips where the items are required to be transported, then they have to be air dropped with parachutes.

In the hinterland of a country, we may employ a varied system of transportation from depots or manufacturing units to field formations, such as rail transport, heavy lift aircraft, inland water transport and road transport in the form heavy load carrying vehicles, etc. However, as we come close to the border areas and go beyond the borders, the transportation mode changes to trucks which are capable of carrying loads across country on indifferent tracks, and high mobility wheeled vehicles which can keep up with armoured and mechanised formations moving off the tracks and roads, and heavy-and medium-lift helicopters.

Trucks which carry logistics loads in the Indian Army are mostly indigenous vehicles. The main suppliers of heavier trucks to the Army currently are Ashok Leyland, Tata and Vehicle Factory Jabalpur.

Ashok Leyland

Ashok Leyland is a pioneer in the design, development and manufacture of defence vehicles and offer end-to-end solutions to meet the logistics and tactical requirements of the armed forces. While the Stallion is their flagship platform, they have developed two more platforms: the Colt and the Super Stallion. Going forward, they are expanding their Stallion range of logistics transport solutions while tactical or armoured vehicles will be offered on all three platforms on the back of strategic partnerships with KMW, Germany; Panhard, France, and Paramount, South Africa.

Stallion 6x6

The Stallion 6x6 is significantly upgraded in form and function compared to its earlier version. It has a more powerful 165 kW common rail diesel engine that is capable of 800 nm of torque to operate in demanding mountainous terrain. Ease of use is addressed by automatic transmission that is matched to the new engine. The Stallion 6x6 is also equipped with a modern, face-lifted cabin that is ergonomic, air-conditioned with bucket seats and fitted with a driver-friendly information display cluster panel. The Stallion 6x6 can be used as troop carriers, water and fuel bowsers, recovery vehicle, and as the base vehicle to mount communication equipment and command control posts.

Super Stallion HMV 8x8

The Super Stallion HMV 8x8 is the new flagship of Ashok Leyland’s range of logistics vehicles. It has been specially configured to meet the Army’s emerging requirement for vehicles with higher mobility and greater power to operate in challenging desert terrains. It is propelled by a state-of-the-art powerful 360 hp (265 kW) Neptune engine, that can crank up a torque of 1,400 nm. Hub reduction axles ensure better ground clearance and grip for its eight wheels in sand and the central tyre inflation system (CITS) enables inflating or deflating tyres even when on the move. Driver comfort has been addressed through air-conditioning, bucket seats in the ergonomic cab and parabolic suspension in front for a better ride. The Super Stallion platform promises the same versatility of the Stallion platform and can be offered for a variety of applications like field artillery tractor and mounted gun with different transmission and driveline configurations.