Military vehicles have a unique numbering system unlike any other as you have already noticed. The numbers are registered by the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi and have a numbering system which appears very vague. The first (or the third) character is always an arrow pointing upwards. The first two digits signify the year in which the Military procured the vehicle.
The up arrow denotes Military Property so not only the cars and trucks even a chair carries the up arrow.
In the case of vehicles, the no. after the arrow indicates the year when the vehicle was commissioned into army. Then the class of the vehicle which is also stenciled on the windshield, Eg: A class "A" vehicle is brand new.. whereas a class "F" vehicle would be earmarked for phasing ouy or condemnation/sale. Then the registeration number
Another unique tradition they follow is for a sold out vehicle. This vehicle should not be driven out of the Military Transport Park , but it should be pushed out of the gates and then started.
