The Indian Army has had a rich history and legacy of defending our nation during trying times. And if there is an opportunity to own a piece of that heritage, especially for civilians, one should try and make the most of it. So we tell you how to own a non-combat army vehicle at a defence auction which are held in few cities across the country. Do note, that these vehicles may have high mileage and some amount of damage, but again, that is what makes the purchase authentic. Plus, the Army does a wonderful job of maintaining its non-combat fleet. And we say non-combat because, if you want to purchase an old tank or an armoured personnel carrier (APC) from the Army, it is obviously not going to happen! So, on the occasion of India's 75th Independence Day, we tell you how to buy a used Army vehicle and what are the pros and cons that come with it.
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How To Purchase A Used Army Non-Combat Vehicle
Some of the SUVs that are used by the Indian Army and other paramilitary forces include the venerable Maruti Gypsy, the indomitable Tata Safari and the Mahindra Scorpio, in its previous generation avatar. When these vehicles become grade 5 or declared unfit for use by the Army, they are either sold off as scrap or sold to private buyers at a defence auction held in places like Delhi, Pune, Pathankot, Mandi Dabwali etc. annually.
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The Army also places advertisements in local and leading newspapers of the region and those who are tech savvy, can also log on to the government’s eAuction website and the MSTC website, wherein you can register and then place your bids for used Army non-combat vehicles. Additionally, people who are retired defence personnel, MP/MLA or civil servants, can apply to the Commandant of the Ordnance Depot for releasing a used Army vehicle upon agreed payment at the auctions.
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Pros and Cons Of Buying A Used Army Vehicle
The advantages of purchasing a used Army non-combat vehicle is that you will own a piece of heritage of the Indian Army, plus the fact that used Army vehicles may not be very expensive to own. For example, a 2005-2009 used Army Gypsy could be bought at an auction for about Rs. 2 lakh. This is just to give you an idea. The big disadvantage is that you will have to invest a substantial sum of money in applying for a civilian registration number, which is a task and make a few updates/modifications so that the vehicle is fit for civilian use. Plus, in some cases, vehicles used by the Indian Army may have different specifications than what is allowed/prescribed by the RTO.
Documents Required For Registration
Once you make the payment for the used Army vehicle, do ensure that you have the voucher/duty order with you, which contains all the details of the vehicle such as engine number, chassis number, odometer reading, model number and so on. Plus, there is a slip for 18 per cent GST payment for all army vehicles, which is an important document as well. All these documents are a must for getting the vehicle registered at the RTO.
Lead Photo Credit: Subhadeep Paul
