[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by akash.1318

Found this write-up https://www.cartoq.com/tata-harrier-...hav-thackeray/

Here's a video from the link(starts at around 00:27) -

It sure does add some class to the otherwise commonly loaded motorcade with Mahindra Boleros/Maruti Suzuki Ertigas/TATA Safaris.
I will even say that the Harrier look better/aggresive than the Innova(Crysta) too.

Counted 14 cars, all big ones, are a part of this cavalcade!!! I mean how many cars are needed to transport one man albeit with security. The British Prime Minister moves with a cavalcade of 3 at most 4 cars without blaring sirens or blinking lights which actually helps draw attention away from his car. Our feudal preferences and desire to show rank overtakes our ability and skill to be discrete about security. A cavalcade of 14 with sirens & lights is actually an invitation to a trouble maker.

[ashis89]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Our feudal preferences and desire to show rank overtakes our ability and skill to be discrete about security. A cavalcade of 14 with sirens & lights is actually an invitation to a trouble maker.

For someone important in India, the whole machinery is on their foot to keep the VIP safe. Creating trouble might be a tough task here.

But 14 cars is sheer wastage of money and resources, while causing inconvenience to the traffic on the road and contributing to the pollution. But it does help in their fight for getting attention and massaging the ego.

[AZT]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Counted 14 cars, all big ones, are a part of this cavalcade!!! I mean how many cars are needed to transport one man albeit with security.

Reminds me of that whole 200 car convoy following Baba Ram Rahim to court. I think the logic is higher the number of cars, more my importance.

2 cars in front, 2 behind and maybe 2 bikes should be the max anyone needs.

[ads11]

Originally Posted by V.Narayan

Counted 14 cars, all big ones, are a part of this cavalcade!!! I mean how many cars are needed to transport one man albeit with security. The British Prime Minister moves with a cavalcade of 3 at most 4 cars without blaring sirens or blinking lights which actually helps draw attention away from his car. Our feudal preferences and desire to show rank overtakes our ability and skill to be discrete about security. A cavalcade of 14 with sirens & lights is actually an invitation to a trouble maker.

So true, whenever I've seen UK VIPs it's never been a ludicrous cavalcade of vehicles. For the Diamond Jubilee I happened to be waiting to cross the road when the Queen's convoy passed right in front of me and really it was the obligatory 2 pilot riders ahead on their bikes, a forward Range Rover, the Royal Bentley and then another Range Rover bringing up the rear with a police escort car (standard sedan, can't remember the make). Notice how the make up fits with what AZT just mentioned above - common sense right?

Just recently I was waiting to cross a street when I was pointing out a Volvo S90 (a big favourite of mine) when I noticed Prince Michael of Kent sitting inside - only noticed then that there was a small crest (his I imagine) embossed on the front fender. Granted he's a very minor VIP in the grand scheme of things but it does show how the situation in India it's become ludicrous (would it surprise anyone if some local MP or MLA drove about with a far more ostentatious retinue?). I feel like everyone wants to emulate POTUS to a degree - especially the soft power optics of their convoy. But even in that case there's a trove of information publicly available that does break down the exact purpose of each vehicle in the massive convoys, with the various security and defensive countermeasures vehicles. It's not purely for the sake of flexing.

Oh well, in Ambani's case he's a private individual ultimately and as long as the public exchequer isn't being tapped into towards his power projection, sorry I mean protection, then have at it - be as gaudy as you want. If you're a public servant, then absolutely not - you better have a role critical to national security to warrant substantial protection and the ensuing large motorcade that comes with it to even have the vaguest justification towards it all.

In closing sometimes I wonder if the concept of perhaps a discrete motorcade (which might afford more of the protection and privacy they claim to seek) is lost..

[torquecurve]

In most cases the number of cars in the VVIP cavalcades are defined by the CRPF (as a part of their VVIP protection duty).

Ideally, the convoy will have - Pilot car (Forward Clearance - drives about a minute ahead of the whole convoy), Pilot Car (Convoy), Local Police Vehicle, Forward Security Car (Typically equipped with Jammers), VVIP Cars (2/3), 2 Rear Security Cars, Local Police Vehicle, Ambulance. Additionally, when the CM is on the move there will also be their 'chaperones' (used this for want of a better word), whose cars will be in the convoy.

VVIP cars - typically will be at least two similar cars with similar numbers etc. This is done to reduce the risk of a 'hit' to the car actually carrying the VVIP.

In India we deal with a far higher security risk (perceived or otherwise) when it comes to our VVIPs and this is considered a necessity by the CRPF/ NSG 2.

While the smaller politicians will have this 'dummy' cavalcade just to show off - in the case of Y, Z and Z+ secured VVIP's this is considered essential in India.

* Have got this from a friend who is an IPS officer often deputed to protection detail.

[PPS]

From youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfT8-fed1eI

[V.Narayan]

Originally Posted by ads11

So true, whenever I've seen UK VIPs it's never been a ludicrous cavalcade of vehicles. For the Diamond Jubilee I happened to be waiting to cross the road when the Queen's convoy passed right in front of me and really it was the obligatory 2 pilot riders ahead on their bikes, a forward Range Rover, the Royal Bentley and then another Range Rover bringing up the rear with a police escort car (standard sedan, can't remember the make). Notice how the make up fits with what AZT just mentioned above - common sense right?

In closing sometimes I wonder if the concept of perhaps a discrete motorcade (which might afford more of the protection and privacy they claim to seek) is lost..

Originally Posted by torquecurve

In most cases the number of cars in the VVIP cavalcades are defined by the CRPF (as a part of their VVIP protection duty).
Ideally, the convoy will have - Pilot car (Forward Clearance - drives about a minute ahead of the whole convoy), Pilot Car (Convoy), Local Police Vehicle, Forward Security Car (Typically equipped with Jammers), VVIP Cars (2/3), 2 Rear Security Cars, Local Police Vehicle, Ambulance. Additionally, when the CM is on the move there will also be their 'chaperones' (used this for want of a better word), whose cars will be in the convoy. In India we deal with a far higher security risk (perceived or otherwise) when it comes to our VVIPs and this is considered a necessity by the CRPF/ NSG 2.

Great points both, as always. In India our Police Forces, with no disrespect to them, do not quite buy into or desire the 'security with discreteness' philosophy. It is a part of our national culture. I can't just blame the cops as feudalism is in our blood. That's why I drive two big cars. Same as having more guns than citizens is a part and parcel of American culture.

Yes I agree our security threat especially for those in X, Y, Z categories is very real, certainly more real than say a minister in the Govt of Norway. But even within that parameter our Police Forces do not believe in or accept discreteness and low profile as an option. A 9-car cavalcade with blaring sirens and lights is like a soldier standing up out of a foxhole in war with a large sign saying here I am come get me. There is a reason why the army which deals with the ultimate threat seeks camouflage, electronic deception, low silhouette's, fox holes.

Off topic. This reminds me of an anecdote from, I think, the 1980s. A senior bureaucrat/minister from India was visiting the UK. He was some one who needed serious security because of Khalistan/Sri Lanka at the time. On one evening he hosted a small dinner for a few guests at a fine dining restaurant in London. He was livid as he could not see any security detail around other than one bobby at the restaurant entrance. A big complaint was filed with the UK authorities. The British came back with a 'what the hell' response. They explained that the entire restaurant had been booked by them and all other guests were police men & women in plain clothes right down to the doorman, and all six car park slots just outside the restaurants were occupied by unmarked police cars amongst whatever else. :-)

In 2012 I invited P. Chidambaram to inaugurate a centre in Delhi-NCR related to my erstwhile business. He arrived in a white Ambassador with only one police jeep as pilot without sirens or lights or flags. At the time he was Home Minister quelling Maoist activities!

There are ways to implement security! Having offered my opiniated and uneducated views I'll add that given our high security threat levels & neighbourhood the CRPF, CISF, NSG etc do a darn good job of protecting their charges.

[PPS]

From Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_lqYpuwY9c

[IamNikhil]

Visuals from the convoy of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Spotted Crysta, Fortuner, Prado and even a humble Tata Sumo. Interestingly, none of the black cars seem to have a number plate. Even the Prime Minister's cars are mandated to have a number plate! Only the President's limousine is exempt.

https://youtu.be/MP2GzHtsi_Q

[bharanidharang]

I wonder why some of the politicians and business men need so many vehicles in the convoy ! Bodyguards (a car or two) I agree and a maybe an additional car for assistants etc. Show off ?

[BoneCollector]

Originally Posted by IamNikhil

Only the President's limousine is exempt.

Not exactly. Now even the President as well as Chief Justice of India's cars have a registration number as mandated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH) after a case was filed in the Delhi High Court.

Presidential limousine with number plate in a screen grab from 2021 Republic Day parade.

[IamNikhil]

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

Not exactly. Now even the President as well as Chief Justice of India's cars have a registration number as mandated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway (MoRTH) after a case was filed in the Delhi High Court.

Attachment 2187808
Presidential limousine with number plate in a screen grab from 2021 Republic Day parade.

Thanks a lot BoneCollector for sharing this information. Wasn't aware that this was rectified by a court ruling. Good though, that even the highest VIP has to now follow the rules that apply to us mere mortals.

[IamNikhil]

Originally Posted by PPS

From Youtube.

https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=Y_lqYpuwY9c

A convoy of 3 bulletproof Mercedes S-Guard luxury saloons for Mukesh Ambani. Cost estimated to be around 35 crore!

https://www.cartoq.com/mercedes-benz...i-spotted/amp/