India's JSW Group has signed an agreement with Israeli-owned military buggy manufacturer Tomcar to produce the Tomcar TX model in a new production line in India's Chandigarh, with operations set to begin in early 2026.
JSW, largely a steel and energy conglomerate, also has a defense division, which was behind the deal with Tomcar. The division is involved in manufacturing military vehicles for the Indian army.
The Tomcar's new TX model underwent field tests by the Indian army and police in the Himalayas at an altitude of 5,000 meters, where India plans to operate as part of its activities against Chinese forces.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is encouraging local manufacturing as a condition for purchasing defense products, and the production of Tomcar's TX model would allow India to boost their independence in defense manufacturing.
The new factory, based in the Punjab region, will produce the updated Tomcar TX model with a wider cabin and an updated front after relocating the vehicle's radiator to improve the cooling capacity of the General Motors turbo engine installed in it.
Both a five-seat petrol version and a pickup truck version for transporting cargo will be produced in the factory.
Israel able to reach right-hand drive military vehicle markets
Producing cars in India will allow Tomcar to expand into other markets that require right-hand drive vehicles, such as Thailand.
Tomcar was founded in 1991 by Israeli Yoram Zarhi and is currently managed by his son.