- Made for India, Ready for the World
- Built for Battle: From Deserts to Glaciers
- Transforming Off-Road Mobility. An Interview with Yogesh Khattar of JSW Motors
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 26 April 2025. At Milipol India, JSW Sabno and Gecko Motors showcased their latest range of rugged, high-performance vehicles built to master the harshest environments. Combining cutting-edge engineering with real-world military and off-road expertise, the two companies are pushing the limits of mobility for defence, disaster response, and extreme adventure sectors. JSW Sabno presented their robust all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) designed for tactical operations, equipped with heavy-duty suspension, superior torque, and modular capabilities to adapt to different mission needs.
Meanwhile, Gecko Motors drew attention with its innovative lightweight off-road platforms, engineered specifically for speed, agility, and resilience on unpaved, rocky, and desert terrains. Their specialized designs feature reinforced chassis, high ground clearance, and adaptable payload configurations, making them ideal not only for military patrols but also for humanitarian missions and emergency evacuations. Both brands are investing heavily in indigenous manufacturing, aligned with India’s Make in India initiative, and are actively working toward building localized supply chains to ensure faster production cycles and field customization for Indian forces.
The synergy between JSW Sabno’s engineering strength and Gecko Motors’ off-road legacy promises a new era of high-mobility solutions for India’s defence and paramilitary forces. With a focus on endurance, adaptability, and mission-readiness, they are setting new standards for what military and tactical vehicles can achieve in India’s diverse and challenging terrains—from the icy heights of the Himalayas to the desert expanses of Rajasthan.
ADU sat down with with Yogesh Khattar, representing two innovative companies under the JSW Group — JSW Sabno Motors and JSW Gecko Motors. Yogesh shares insights into their high-speed mobility vehicles designed for extreme terrains, their recent projects with Indian .defence forces, and their vision for the Indian and global markets.
ADU. Yogesh, can you tell us about JSW Sabno Motors and what your company primarily focuses on?
Yogesh Khattar. Certainly. JSW Sabno Motors is a joint venture between JSW Group and Sabno Motors of India. Our main focus is on producing high-speed mobility vehicles designed for extreme terrains. We are working on several products, including off-road vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, on-road trailers for off-road use, and specialized vehicles tailored for the Indian Defence Forces. This initiative falls under the JSW Defence program.
ADU. What’s the first product you’re bringing to the market?
Yogesh Khattar. Our flagship product is the TX model, a joint venture with the US-based company Tomcar. It’s a high-speed, off-road vehicle capable of traversing rocky terrains, snow mountains, glaciers, deserts, loose sand, and dense grasslands. It boasts a powerful 163-horsepower petrol engine, a gross vehicle weight of 1250 kg, and an impressive payload capacity of 1100 kg—almost a 1.1 payload-to-weight ratio, which is best in its class.
ADU. What are some other upcoming products or projects from JSW Sabno?
Yogesh Khattar. We’re working on a variety of vehicles for different terrains — unmanned ground vehicles, off-road trailers, and specialized vehicles for Indian defence, including armoured versions. These are all part of our broader JSW Defence initiative.
ADU. You also mentioned JSW Gecko Motors. What is their focus?
Yogesh Khattar. JSW Gecko Motors is a joint venture with Kopato, a UK-based company, which is a subsidiary of Quadro from Ukraine. Their flagship product is the SMV N1200 ATOR — an All Terrain Off Roader. It’s an amphibious vehicle already inducted into the Indian Army across eastern and southern borders and has been used in UN missions in South Sudan.
ADU. Has the vehicle been inducted through JSW Sabno Motors or JSW Gecko Motors?
Yogesh Khattar. All our products, including the SMV N1200 ATOR, are part of the Make in India initiative. The vehicles are designed and manufactured locally, with over 90% of components now localized in India. Our technology transfer and manufacturing are aligned with India’s ‘Make in India’ policy, and we’ve managed to avoid issues related to the Ukraine crisis.
ADU. What are the key features of the SMV N1200 ATOR?
Yogesh Khattar. It’s an amphibious, all-terrain vehicle capable of crossing land, water, ice, and snow without needing special preparation. It has a modest horsepower but can carry a driver plus eight personnel, or a payload of 1.2 tonnes. It can be customized for various applications, such as troop transport, patrolling, or medical evacuation.
ADU. Can you tell us more about its medical emergency capabilities?
Yogesh Khattar. Absolutely. We recently launched an ambulance version fitted with critical care equipment, including stretchers and space for medical procedures. It’s designed for inaccessible or mountainous regions like Kashmir, Ladakh, and Arunachal, where helicopters can’t reach or roads are unmade. It enables faster evacuations, and onboard first aid or minor surgeries can be performed en route.
ADU. What about its operational performance in challenging scenarios?
Yogesh Khattar. The vehicle has proven its mettle in exercises like India’s ‘Shakti,’ where it climbed sand dunes from Nakal, and it’s already in use with the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force for search and rescue missions, especially in difficult terrains.
ADU. Are you also exploring applications for navy or coast guard?
Yogesh Khattar. While our initial focus has been on the Army, Army Aviation, and Air Force, we see potential for coast guard and naval applications in the future. We’ve done trials in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for inter-island mobility.
ADU. You mentioned trailers; what additional features do they bring?
Yogesh Khattar. We’ve developed amphibious trailers that can carry an additional 1.2 tonnes, increasing the vehicle’s utility for logistics and medical emergencies.
ADU. What about other applications like forest fire fighting or disaster response?
Yogesh Khattar. We’re developing a forest fire fighting version equipped with sprinklers and special rubber that resists catching fire. It can operate in difficult terrains for firefighting. Also, our vehicles are suitable for disaster response efforts, such as flood rescue or infrastructure inspections in remote areas.
ADU. Have you already started marketing to homeland security, paramilitary, or police forces?
Yogesh Khattar. Yes. We’ve completed trials with BSF, proposed trials to ITBP, and offered solutions to Assam Rifles, SSB, and other CAPFs. We see relevance for disaster response agencies like NDRF, especially in rain-prone or mountainous regions.
ADU. Are there prospects for private sector applications?
Yogesh Khattar. Certainly. Our vehicles can serve oil and gas exploration, renewable energy projects, mining, power line maintenance, and recreation. They’re perfect for any scenario requiring movement over difficult terrains.
ADU. How many units have you sold so far?
Yogesh Khattar. We’ve crossed 100 units in serial production, with the Indian Army ordering 130 units, and the Air Force just taking their first batch.
ADU. Any final comments you’d like to share?
Yogesh Khattar. I believe our vehicles are a game-changer for off-road, military, and disaster response missions. Our focus remains on local manufacturing, innovation, and expanding our reach in India and globally. We’re excited about the future and look forward to collaborations and new opportunities.
Yogesh Khattar’s insights reveal the innovative spirit driving JSW’s efforts in high-speed, amphibious, and off-road mobility solutions. With a strong emphasis on local manufacturing, adaptability, and strategic expansion into .defence, disaster relief, and private sectors, JSW Sabno and Gecko Motors are poised to redefine mobility in challenging terrains both within India and worldwide.
As India’s defence and security landscape evolves, the demand for rugged, reliable, and locally manufactured mobility solutions has never been greater. JSW Sabno and Gecko Motors are answering that call—blending innovation, performance, and indigenous manufacturing to empower the forces of tomorrow. Their commitment to building world-class off-road and military vehicles for extreme terrains not only supports the nation’s operational readiness but also strengthens the vision of a self-reliant India. With the promise of future-ready technology and agile engineering, JSW Sabno and Gecko Motors are well on their way to becoming trusted partners in India’s journey toward tactical and strategic dominance across every landscape.
As told to Sangeeta Saxena
