What is the ATOR N1200?
The ATOR N1200 is an amphibious all-terrain vehicle recently inducted into the Army. It has been developed for mobility across difficult landscapes such as forests, swamps, deserts, rivers and snowfields. The vehicle can move over land and water without interruption, making it suitable for high-altitude and extreme-weather regions like Sikkim.
#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Indian Army uses ATOR N1200 Specialist Mobility Vehicle (SMV) as part of rescue operation in the flood-affected areas of Amritsar
(Source: AAP PRO) pic.twitter.com/vSzBUkzKJp
— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2025
Design and features
The vehicle is built with a Docol high-strength steel frame, giving it resilience in tough conditions. Its structure is zinc-coated for a service life of up to 30 years. Body panels are treated with corrosion-resistant polyurethane and can also be equipped with Kevlar or composite armour for protection.
A key feature of the ATOR N1200 is its giant low-pressure tyres. These tyres work as flotation devices, with ribs that act like paddles in water. This design allows the vehicle to cross rivers, marshes and even broken ice up to one metre thick. The tyres also make it possible to travel over dunes, rocky terrain and snow.
Capacity and performance
Although compact in size — 3.98 metres long, 2.57 metres wide and 2.846 metres high — the vehicle has a high carrying capacity. It can transport up to 1,200 kg of payload and seat nine people, including the driver. It can also tow equipment weighing up to 2,350 kg, making it suitable for both logistics and troop movement.
The ATOR N1200 runs on a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder diesel engine that produces 55 bhp and 190 Nm of torque. It uses a 6-speed manual gearbox. On land, it can travel at a speed of around 40 km/h, while in water it moves at about 6 km/h. With a fuel capacity of 232 litres, including auxiliary canisters, it can operate for nearly 61 hours without refuelling.
Operation in extreme climates
The vehicle has been built to perform in temperatures ranging from –40 °C to +45 °C. It can continue functioning during fog, heavy rain, snowstorms and storms, making it useful for deployment in both flood-affected plains and high-altitude mountain zones.
Induction and deployment
The ATOR N1200 is manufactured in India by JSW Gecko Motors, a subsidiary of the JSW Group. The Ministry of Defence placed an initial order of 96 units under a contract worth ₹250 crore.
The vehicle was first introduced to the public at the 2024 Republic Day Parade. Since then, it has been deployed in challenging areas like Sikkim and is now being used for flood rescue work in Punjab.