- By Kanika Sachdeva
- Fri, 29 Aug 2025 02:13 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Cars Used by Indian Army: The Indian Army has a long list of four-wheelers, ranging from the Tata Safari Storme, Maruti Suzuki Gypsy, Mahindra Scorpio Classic, Toyota Hilux and Tata Xenon, to name a few. Manufactured particularly for the armed forces, these specialised vehicles operate in diverse terrains, from marshy plains and snow-covered peaks to dense jungles and arid deserts.
Along with these, we also have the ATOR N1200 amphibious all-terrain vehicle, recently inducted by the Indian Army as part of its rescue and relief operations in flood-affected districts of Amritsar and Sultanpur Lodhi. Thanks to its huge low-pressure tyres and ability to wade through knee-deep waters, the ATOR N1200 has emerged as a beacon of hope for thousands stranded in flood-hit Punjab.
Avtoros Shaman 8x8: Spotted in India; Know About It
But now, meet the eight-wheeled off-roader – Avtoros Shaman. While the recently inducted ATOR N1200 is an indigenously built vehicle, the Shaman 8x8 is manufactured by the Russian company Avtoros. The Avtoros Shaman 8x8 is not just an ordinary off-roader; it is designed to traverse terrains such as the Himalayas and the Siberian Tundra (Russia). It can also move through deep water, courtesy of its amphibious capabilities. Its boat-shaped frame, coupled with high-performance water pumps, can remove up to 200 litres of water per minute (source: Indian Defence Research Wing).
Measuring 6,300mm in length, 2,500mm in width, and 2,700mm in height, the Russian behemoth was spotted a few days ago in India, making driving on the roads look like a cakewalk. The video shared by autojournal_india has created a buzz on social media, with one of the users commenting, 'Russian equipment never doubted'.
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Speaking of its size, the Shaman 8x8 is described as the 'size of two Ranger Rovers' by former Top Gear host Matt LeBlanc. For the land, the off-roader gets independent suspension for each wheel, ensuring stability and easy manoeuvrability. In the water, the vehicle's special flaps help in safe aquatic operations. Its optional screw-propeller can navigate rivers and lakes with ease.
Coming to its tyres, the Avtoros Shaman 8x8 features low-pressure tyres that can be adjusted through a cockpit switch. Weighing 4,800kg, the Russian vehicle has a ground clearance of 450mm.
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Powering the Avtoros Shaman 8x8 is an Iveco 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine, which makes 146bhp and 352Nm. The vehicle also comes with a unique steering system with three modes: front axle steering for high-speed travel, rear axle steering for tight turns, and a Crab mode that enables the vehicle to move sideways.