New Delhi: For the first time, the Indian contingent taking part in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping operation will be using India-made vehicles.
A total of 62 Tata-manufactured vehicles are set to reach Lebanon for utilisation by the Indian contingent deployed there.
These are part of a “wet-lease”—where the UN not just pays for the personnel but also the equipment being brought in by them—that has now come into force. Earlier, the Indian contingent part of the mission used to operate on “dry lease”, where the equipment would be given by the UN whereas the Indian forces would send their personnel.
With the atmanirbharta (self-reliance) push of the Indian government, the strategy behind sending India-made vehicles for the operation is to promote indigenous capabilities and strengthen operational efficiency.
The vehicle fleet comprises high mobility troop carriage vehicles, utility vehicles (one tonne and 2.5 tonne), medium and light ambulances, fuel bowsers and recovery vehicles.
Sources in the Indian Army said that until now, the Indian troops serving in the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon were operating vehicles provided by the UN, sourced from other countries.
So far, the vehicles being used by the Indian contingent were the Swedish SISU ones.
“With the induction of these Made-in-India vehicles, the Indian battalion will now rely on robust and homegrown platforms, showcasing India’s commitment to self-reliance and its growing defence manufacturing capabilities on the global stage,” a source said.
India is looking at manufacture and exports of indigenously-made weapons and equipment to friendly foreign countries. As part of the government’s push, defence attaches posted abroad are, in fact, even required to carry out events that promote India as a defence manufacturer.
In countries which have a robust defence manufacturing capability, India is promoted in a way that defence manufacturers of these countries take note and set up manufacturing hubs in India.
India is the second-highest military contributor to the UNIFIL, according to the UNIFIL website. As of August 2024, the country had 897 personnel deployed across the mission.
The UNIFIL was established in March 1978 to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security and assist the Lebanese government in restoring its effective authority in the area.
According to the government of Lebanon’s request, the UNIFIL’s mandate is renewed annually by the UN Security Council.
Some of the duties under the mandate given to the mission are to monitor the cessation of hostilities, accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces and extend assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced people.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)