The Army will replace its iconic Maruti Gypsy fleet with a new range of SUVs, having selected the Tata Safari Storme for an initial order of close to 3,200 vehicles, which could increase 10-fold in the coming years. While an official announcement is yet to be made, ET has learnt that Tata Motors beat off the Mahindra Group, which fielded its Scorpio SUV for the competition that kicked off in 2013.

Both locally developed SUVs passed rigorous technical trials by the army, which tested the vehicles in all conditions – from high-altitude, snow-bound regions to deserts and marshy land. However, the Tata Group appears to have presented a better financial deal to the army, which has sought to replace its fleet of Gypsy vehicles that are used extensively at the battalion level to transport troops and officers.

Maruti’s Gypsy on its way out; Tata Safari Storme to be new Army vehicleMaruti’s Gypsy on its way out; Tata Safari Storme to be new Army vehicle – ImageThe army has over 30,000 Maruti Gypsy vehicles in service and will progressively replace them starting next year.