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Science & Technology April 25, 2026 4 min read Daily brief · #4 of 27

DRDO unveils Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked & Wheeled)

The Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO laboratory located in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, unveiled two prototype variants of the Advan...

GS Paper III (Science & Technology; Internal Security)

What Happened

  • The Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO laboratory located in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, unveiled two prototype variants of the Advanced Armoured Platform — one tracked (Vikram VT-21) and one wheeled — on April 25, 2026.
  • Both variants are designed to fulfil Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) and Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) roles for the Indian Armed Forces, addressing emerging battlefield requirements.
  • The platforms are integrated with an indigenously designed 30 mm Crewless Turret, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and provisions for Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), enabling multi-role offensive capability.
  • The tracked variant was developed in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and the wheeled variant with Bharat Forge Limited, supported by multiple MSMEs; the current indigenous content stands at approximately 65%, with a roadmap to scale it to 80–90%.
  • Key technical features include a high power-to-weight ratio, high-speed mobility, STANAG Level 4 and 5 modular blast and ballistic protection, and automatic transmission; each platform carries a crew of three and eight infantry troops.

Static Topic Bridges

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)

DRDO is the R&D wing of India's Ministry of Defence, established in 1958. It operates 50+ laboratories across the country, each specialising in distinct domains such as missiles, electronics, armaments, advanced materials, and vehicle systems. VRDE at Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar) is DRDO's dedicated laboratory for military land vehicles, responsible for design, development, and testing of all categories of wheeled and tracked combat and logistics vehicles.

  • DRDO is headquartered in New Delhi and functions under the Department of Defence Research & Development.
  • VRDE has previously contributed to platforms such as the Arjun Main Battle Tank (developmental support), the WhAP (Wheeled Armoured Platform), and various specialised military vehicles.
  • The organisation operates under the scientific leadership of the Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, who also chairs DRDO.

Connection to this news: The Vikram VT-21 rollout represents VRDE's most significant armoured vehicle milestone in recent years, directly operationalising India's indigenisation goals under the Defence Acquisition Procedure.

Indigenisation of Defence — Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence

India's push to reduce import dependence in defence is formalised through the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which introduced priority categories favouring indigenous design and development. The government has also set a target of achieving ₹1.75 lakh crore in defence production by 2024–25, with a minimum 25% share from the private sector.

  • India is among the world's top 3 defence importers historically; indigenisation directly reduces foreign exchange outflow and builds strategic autonomy.
  • STANAG (Standardisation Agreement) is a NATO-defined standard for protection levels; adherence signals global interoperability potential and export prospects.
  • The MSME involvement model used in this programme aligns with the government's "Make in India" and "Make II" categories under DAP 2020.
  • Defence Industrial Corridors have been established in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to support indigenous manufacturing.

Connection to this news: The 65% indigenous content level and the involvement of private sector majors (Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge) alongside MSMEs exemplify the public-private partnership (PPP) model at the heart of India's defence self-reliance strategy.

Infantry Combat Vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers — Strategic Significance

ICVs and APCs are critical force-multipliers for mechanised infantry operations. An ICV is a fully armed vehicle that allows infantry to fight from within, while an APC transports troops to the battlefield with basic protection. India's existing fleet of BMP-2 (Sarath) ICVs, inducted from the 1980s, is ageing and requires replacement, making the Vikram VT-21 programme strategically urgent.

  • The Indian Army currently operates over 1,500 BMP-2 Sarath ICVs, produced under licence by Ordnance Factory Board.
  • The 30 mm crewless turret eliminates the need for crew inside the turret, improving survivability.
  • ATGM integration gives the platform a tank-killing capability, making it a genuine multi-role system.

Connection to this news: The dual-variant rollout — tracked for conventional terrain and wheeled for rapid deployment — signals a comprehensive modernisation of India's mechanised infantry capability, directly reducing dependence on foreign procurement.

Key Facts & Data

  • Platform name: Vikram VT-21 (tracked variant); wheeled variant designation not separately named
  • Indigenous content: ~65% at prototype stage, target 80–90%
  • Protection standard: STANAG Level 4 and 5 (modular blast and ballistic)
  • Armament: 30 mm crewless turret + 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun + ATGM provisions
  • Crew/capacity: 3 crew + 8 infantry soldiers
  • Industry partners: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (tracked), Bharat Forge Limited (wheeled)
  • Location of development: VRDE, Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra
  • DRDO established: 1958; under Ministry of Defence
On this page
  1. What Happened
  2. Static Topic Bridges
  3. Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)
  4. Indigenisation of Defence — Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence
  5. Infantry Combat Vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers — Strategic Significance
  6. Key Facts & Data
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