[Asoon]

Gypsy (and hopefully Jimny) has unique offering w.r.t competition which made it relevant for the armed forces. Most of the competition (Safari Storme, Scorpio other armored vehice) have diesel powertrain and are heavy.

However, Gypsy offers a petrol 4x4 which means you could start engine easily in a cold freezing morning which becomes a challenge for the diesel engines , this coupled with light weight offers a level of agility and manurabimity in difficult weathers which no other army platform offers

[lionell]

Replace the forward facing rear bench with two benches on either sides and your gypsy replacement is ready albeit in a hard top guise.

[volkman10]

From the Defense Newsletter:

MARUTI SUZUKI TO INDIAN ARMY: 3 DOOR, SOFT TOP JIMNY IS GYPSY REPLACEMENT

For the longest, the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces – the Indian Army has employed the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy in their fleets. The Gypsy has served as the General Service (GS) 4X4 light vehicle to the army and has proved its capabilities for a long time, however like everything else the good old reliable gypsy has now started to show its age and now needs a replacement. This is where Maruti Suzuki has jumped back and it has now been revealed by the company that it will be offering the Indian Army a customized iteration of the Jimny.

According to sources the company officials have stated that they will be offering their current off-roader Jimny in its three-door format to the Indian Army and it will make it a soft top. Recently the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by the Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh approved the army’s request to induct new General Service (GS) 4X4 light vehicles.

The Indian Army stated that it is looking to replace the Gypsy with a light off-roader that can be utilized in treacherous mountainous terrains. The army is also specifically looking to replace it with a soft top vehicle as soft tops permits more versatility and helps soldier to place guns, rifles and communication equipment. The soft vehicles also help the Quick Reaction Teams to move quickly.

Link

[TusharK]

Indian Army expresses interest in the Maruti Jimny

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is seen as a worthy replacement for the Indian Army's ageing fleet of Gypsys, and as per the latest reports, the armed forces have already expressed interest in the new product.



According to Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Director – Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki, the Indian armed forces have expressed interest, and the company could take this up once the Jimny is officially launched in the market.

Srivastava also stated that the Indian Army has shown interest in the 5-door version of the Jimny that is set to go on sale on June 7, 2023. He added that the carmaker was currently studying the army's requirements in terms of the vehicle's specs.

In India, the Jimny is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine that develops 103 BHP @ 6,000 rpm and 134.2 Nm @ 4,000 rpm. The engine is paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic and Suzuki's AllGrip Pro all-wheel drive system.

Source: HT Auto

Link to Team-BHP News

[Turbanator]

It makes sense, I recollect Jimny was initially shown at Auto Expo in Military Green. It has just the right size (width) for those terrains and, with some small modifications (little stronger springs/ suspension) can serve well for multiple uses.

One of the biggest strengths of Gypsy was the open rear. Maruti can have something like this done easily.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0oLuXu_96w

[aviator1101]

Originally Posted by TusharK

The Indian Army could be looking to acquire the Maruti Suzuki Jimny. The 5-door off-roader could replace the Gypsy currently used by the army.

According to a media report, the army plans to replace around 35,000 units of the Gypsy.

Maruti will offer the army-spec Jimny 5-door in a Dark Jungle Green shade, which will be reserved for the army version. Besides the colour, the army-spec Jimny is said to feature a strengthened chassis with stiffer springs and increased ground clearance.

Originally Posted by volkman10

Rumoured to be in the 3 door format, Maruti Suzuki is likely to make some enhancements suited to the Indian Army.

It is also said that Jimny will get a soft top and finish in dark jungle green.

Originally Posted by TusharK

Indian Army expresses interest in the Maruti Jimny

The Maruti Suzuki Jimny is seen as a worthy replacement for the Indian Army's ageing fleet of Gypsys, and as per the latest reports, the armed forces have already expressed interest in the new product.

Recently visited a friend from the Indian Army where I was offered to be driven around in a Maruti Jimny, which was part of the Defence Duty(DD) vehicle fleet.

So, the rumour has come true. Indian Army has indeed gone ahead with procurement of the Maruti Jimny.

Few points to note :-

• It is an absolutely stock Alpha MT variant
• No 3-doors or short chassis
• No Olive Green Shade
• No Soft Top

While it is unclear whether the Jimny is set to replace the entire sizeable fleet of the Gypsy, which also is a difficult shoe to fill in by the puny(in size) Jimny, they are definitely there.

Posting a few pics









Drove and rode this vehicle for almost 200 kms in the roughest of terrains as well as black top. Could not find any difference in the suspension either.

So, as of now, the stock Jimny is the latest addition to the Indian Army's light vehicle fleet.

[shortbread]

Looks like the army prefers bigger, more powerful diesel SUVs. 5000 units ordered from Force and Mahindra.

https://www.fortuneindia.com/busines...ehicles/121441

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by shortbread

Looks like the army prefers bigger, more powerful diesel SUVs. 5000 units ordered from Force and Mahindra.

https://www.fortuneindia.com/busines...ehicles/121441

They also have the hilux. Lets just say the army needs different vehicles at different locations for different purposes. Unfortunately at one time the only reliable and modern 4x4 India had access to was the Gypsy and so the Army had to make do with them every where until things like the safari and scorpio became a bit more mainstream.

I am surprised that the Indian army didn't make a go at the 3 door thar though. I guess 3 doors do not cut it for their use cases (officer seated behind and driven).

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

I am surprised that the Indian army didn't make a go at the 3 door thar though. I guess 3 doors do not cut it for their use cases (officer seated behind and driven).

Thar is too wide and heavy for the high mountains but the Gypsy and Jimny work well there.

Also, this replacement of Gypsy with Jimny will probably be mostly for Officers and surveillance.

For rapid deployment of troops in inhospitable terrain there is nothing quite like a long wheelbase, soft-top, lightweight, supremely capable Gypsy. It can carry driver and navigator/ officer + the 6 soldiers behind in the seats facing each other along with their light arms including but not limited to, a light machine gun and ammo and the best thing is its soft top allows for people to get out real quick. Same like paratroop gliders and cargo planes. The seating is always of the bench type and facing each other so that everyone can get out in single file and deploy with minimum delay.

[Amrik Singh]

Contrary to this, the order has been placed for Force Gurkha
https://www.indiatoday.in/auto/lates...569-2025-03-28
Another breed of Gurkha to join Indian Army

[Fuldagap]

Army uses Safari etc for various other roles rather than ops roles. Jimny fits the bill for ops role hands down. No other vehicle from any other brand can match it be it a Tata, Mahindra, Force or Hilux.

Also the pricing is the issue here. Jimny is dirt cheap upfront and being a Maruti considerably easy to maintain, service, repair and modify.

The army had many years back used the erstwhile Pajero mainly in the NE with limited success. Pajero and Gypsy used to be the only SUVs capable of traversing the demanding and unique terrains for the army. Pajero was considerably expensive compared to the Gypsy.

Not sure what goes on at the top decision making levels but Jimny should have been inducted by the army many years back.

Thar and the likes are OK for state police. Army needs much more, extreme temps of Rajasthan, Kashmir, NE coupled with low oxygen levels plus the quick maneuvers demanded by jungle and remote areas.

Two benches can easily be added to the Jimny like it was in the Gypsy.

Our western friend has access to a lot of smuggled Hiluxes, they still don't fare better than our good old Gypsies.

[shortbread]

The Indian Army's requirements have significantly evolved since it opted for the rugged yet basic Gypsy four decades ago. Today, with the enhanced infrastructure along India's border regions, the demands for light vehicles have shifted towards enhanced power, speed, space, and comfort rather than the plucky resilience of the Gypsy and its modern counterpart, the Jimny. The Jimny is likely underpowered and under-equipped for 95% of operations when compared to larger options like the Scorpio and Gurkha. While a few Jimnys might serve well in specific situations, it comes as no surprise that the majority of the light vehicle fleet will likely comprise larger, more capable SUVs.

[Fuldagap]

While it is true that the requirements of the armt have evolved, a tried and tested Jimny is far useable than the bulky SUVS from other brands.

There certainly are roles suited to Scorpios and Safaris but the light weight Jimny has no match.

Although the infrastructure has since improved, when it pours, hails or snows, the bulkier SUVs have a tough time being useful even slightly while the light weight Suzukis traverse with ease. Even locals prefer an Alto in such areas let alone the Jimny.

Throw the Jimny/Gypsy in a slush and see it dance while others wait for the weather to ease.
Bear in mind the army has other vehicles too having 4X4s but the weather coupled with the bulk of the vehicle limits mobility.

Also, there are paramilitary forces alongside the army that operate in tough terrains. Even a Bolero can't reach areas where an old Gypsy can with relative ease. While in the low range a Gypsy/Jimny becomes a formidable transport. What happened with the army in Kargil war with the Insas rifles is a great analogy. They were fantastic on paper. The end user knew they were of no use. That is true even two decades later today. Suzukis have a heritage a pedigree hard for new comers to match.

[carjack3090]

Originally Posted by Fuldagap

While it is true that the requirements of the armt have evolved, a tried and tested Jimny is far useable than the bulky SUVS from other brands.

There certainly are roles suited to Scorpios and Safaris but the light weight Jimny has no match.

The end user knew they were of no use. That is true even two decades later today. Suzukis have a heritage a pedigree hard for new comers to match.

I think the issue for army is that Jimny is a only Petrol vehicle

[Mitadru]

Originally Posted by carjack3090

I think the issue for army is that Jimny is a only Petrol vehicle

If they want it for demanding roles it's better to have a petrol vehicle than diesel in conditions like sub zero temperatures. Because diesels have a hard time starting up in low temperatures( become gooey) and have a higher chance of engine runaway. Petrol doesn't have these problems.