Army inducts Kapidhwaj Specialist Mobility Vehicle for operational purposes
Srinagar, Apr 16: In a step towards enhancing operational capabilities in extreme and inhospitable terrains, the Army has inducted the indigenously adapted Kapidhwaj Specialist Mobility Vehicle, marking a vital boost in India's defence preparedness and technological self-reliance. The vehicle, tailored to meet the unique challenges posed by snow-covered, rocky, and glaciated landscapes, was recently pressed into action during a critical casualty evacuation mission in the treacherous heights of the Siachen Glacier.
The use of Kapidhwaj in the urgent operation underlines its practical value on the frontlines, where speed, reliability, and mobility often determine life and death.
The vehicle’s performance in one of the world's highest and most hostile battlefields showcases the growing strength of #Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in India’s military modernisation efforts.
The Kapidhwaj, an Indianised version of the internationally acclaimed SHERP N1200, is a highly specialised all-terrain amphibious vehicle (ATV). Its unique design allows it to navigate snowfields, marshes, riverbeds, and rocky paths — terrains that typically stall conventional military transport.
“This capability will be a game-changer for the Army, particularly in border areas like Ladakh, Siachen, Arunachal Pradesh, and other Himalayan sectors, where logistics and troop movement are major challenges due to limited infrastructure and harsh climatic conditions,” a senior Army official said here.
The vehicle has a seating capacity for eight personnel plus a driver, making it suitable for rapid deployment of small units, casualty evacuation, and logistics movement in remote forward posts. It also provides vital last-mile connectivity to troops posted in disconnected regions.
The Kapidhwaj made its first major public appearance during the 76th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi, drawing attention alongside other indigenous military innovations like the Chetak ATV and Bajrang tactical vehicle. Built under the Make-in-India vision, it reinforces India's resolve to rely on indigenous solutions for complex defence requirements. Apart from troop movement, the Kapidhwaj has the potential to be used in rescue missions, disaster relief operations, and logistical support in areas prone to floods, landslides, or avalanches — particularly in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
Defence analysts see the Kapidhwaj’s induction as part of a broader shift in India’s strategy to deploy technology-intensive, terrain-agnostic platforms along sensitive frontiers. The Army’s increasing focus on mobility, survivability, and speed in mountainous warfare is a response to evolving threats along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC). Senior Army officials who have served in difficult terrain said that traditional vehicles are no match for the terrain they operate in. “Kapidhwaj fills a crucial gap — it’s versatile, reliable, and exactly what we need for 21st-century mountain warfare.”
While the original SHERP vehicles are manufactured abroad, Kapidhwaj is an Indian adaptation, built with significant local components and design modifications to suit Indian Army needs. It reflects a growing trend where India is moving beyond mere imports to co-develop and customize high-tech platforms indigenously. “Driven by Innovation, Powered by CourageThe induction of Kapidhwaja (Specialist Mobility Vehicle) in #IndianArmy enhances mobility, logistics support & operational efficiency in snow covered, rocky landscapes & glaciated terrain.Employing Kapidhwaja, an urgent casualty evacuation was undertaken in extreme terrain of #SiachenGlacier, showcasing #Atmanirbharta inadvancedmilitarytechnologies.#YearofTechAbsorption#DecadeofTransformation@adgpi@firefurycorps,” Northern Command-Indian Army said in a post on X.
