The Indian Government is procuring four armoured Mercedes vehicles to enhance the security of visiting foreign dignitaries, at a total cost of approximately 2.2 million euros. According to insiders, the procurement process is already underway.
“These armoured vehicles are being sourced from Daimler AG in Germany for 2,178,672 euros and will be dedicated to transporting VVIPs, such as visiting heads of state,” confirmed one official.
To facilitate this acquisition, the External Affairs Ministry has requested a customs duty exemption from the Finance Ministry. Without the exemption, the 100 per cent customs duty on completely built units could double the cost of the vehicles to around ₹40 crore.
The protocol division of the External Affairs Ministry, which manages the logistics for foreign dignitaries, currently operates a small fleet of armoured limousines. These vehicles must adhere to stringent security specifications and are periodically replaced after reaching their service life.
“When Indian leaders travel abroad, host nations provide armoured vehicles for their use. We reciprocate by offering similar protection to visiting foreign leaders,” explained another official. “Maintaining our own fleet ensures these vehicles come from trusted sources, critical for the security of high-profile visitors.”
Recently, the ministry initiated the process to retire some older limousines, and the new Mercedes vehicles will replenish and expand the current fleet. Notably, this fleet includes two Maybach limousines, one of which was recently used for French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Jaipur.
The new vehicles have arrived at Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port, as reported by one official. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has granted a customs duty waiver, recognising the public interest in the vehicles’ use.
The waiver is subject to four conditions: the vehicles must be used for their intended purpose, not for commercial use, cannot be sold without CBIC’s permission, and must be available for customs inspections.
The imported vehicles are customised to Indian standards, featuring right-hand drive configurations. Importing left-hand drive vehicles is not permitted in Bharat. Additionally, all non-commercial vehicles must be registered in Delhi and comply with local emission standards.
Mercedes was chosen for its compliance with the required security specifications, including protection against gunfire and blasts. The vehicles feature protective coatings on windows and armoured underbodies.
While Mercedes offers various high-security models, the Maybach S650 Guard is noted for its superior protection. An expert mentioned that if privately imported, including all duties and charges, the cost would be around ₹12 crore per vehicle. With the duty waiver, the cost is significantly reduced to ₹5 to 6 crore.
