DRDO unveils amphibious battle platforms with crewless turrets, anti-tank missile capability

DRDO's Chairman unveiled two variants — tracked and wheeled — of advanced amphibious battle platforms at the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (...

What Happened

DRDO's Chairman unveiled two variants — tracked and wheeled — of advanced amphibious battle platforms at the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahilyanagar.
Both variants feature an indigenously designed 30mm crewless (unmanned) turret integrated with a 7.62mm PKT coaxial gun configured to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs).
The platforms are amphibious — they cross water obstacles using hydro jets — and provide STANAG Level 4 and 5 blast and ballistic protection.
The platforms were developed in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited, with the design-to-realisation cycle completed in under three years.
Current indigenous content stands at 65%, with a target of 90% indigenisation.

Static Topic Bridges

DRDO: Functions, Structure, and Mandate

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was established in 1958 as the R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence. It operates through a network of 50+ laboratories spread across India, covering domains from aeronautics and armaments to electronics, life sciences, and advanced materials. DRDO's mandate is to design and develop state-of-the-art defence systems and equipment, thereby reducing India's dependence on imports and achieving self-reliance in defence technology.

Established: 1958 under the Ministry of Defence
Network: 50+ laboratories, over 30,000 employees (including ~5,000 scientists)
Key labs for armoured vehicles: VRDE (Vehicle Research and Development Establishment), Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar); CVRDE (Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment), Chennai
Mandate: indigenise, invent, and reduce import dependence in defence

Connection to this news: Both the tracked and wheeled amphibious platforms were developed by DRDO's VRDE, exemplifying DRDO's core mission of delivering technology-intensive platforms to the armed forces.

Crewless/Unmanned Turret Technology

Crewless or unmanned turrets are a significant evolution in armoured vehicle design. By removing the crew from the turret and relocating them to the hull, these systems reduce the vehicle's overall profile, substantially improve crew survivability (crew compartment is protected by the hull's armour rather than the turret), and allow for remote-controlled or automated fire control. The integration of AI-assisted targeting with crewless turrets represents the convergence of robotics, sensors, and weapons systems — a key trend in modern armoured warfare.

30mm crewless turret: primary weapon, capable of engaging light armoured vehicles and air threats
7.62mm PKT coaxial gun: configured to also launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)
STANAG Level 4: protection against armour-piercing rounds up to 14.5mm
STANAG Level 5: protection against artillery shell splinters and heavy machine gun fire
Hydro jets: enable the vehicle to cross rivers and water obstacles without preparation

Connection to this news: The unveiling of this crewless turret technology demonstrates India's growing capability to develop next-generation armoured systems domestically, reducing dependence on imports for one of the Indian Army's most critical capability categories.

Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: Indigenisation Policy

India is the world's second-largest defence importer (historically ~70% of defence equipment was imported). To reverse this, the government launched a comprehensive indigenisation drive under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Key instruments include: - Positive Indigenisation Lists (PILs): Three lists prohibiting import of specified items and requiring domestic procurement; over 4,666 items across defence services listed by 2024. - Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: Prioritises Indian-designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM) equipment in procurement. - iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): Launched 2018; funds startups and MSMEs to develop defence technologies; 430+ contracts signed, 619 startups engaged as of early 2025. - Defence Corridors: Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh corridors aim to create domestic defence manufacturing hubs.

Target: Achieve ₹3 lakh crore in domestic defence production and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029
Current export performance: India's defence exports crossed ₹21,000 crore in FY2024 — a historic high
DPSUs (Defence Public Sector Undertakings): HAL, BEL, BDL, OFB companies, etc.

Connection to this news: The amphibious platform's 65% indigenous content (target 90%) and DRDO-led development with Tata and Bharat Forge as industry partners is a direct product of this indigenisation policy framework, representing Make in India in the armoured vehicle segment.

Public-Private Defence Collaboration Model

Historically, Indian defence manufacturing was dominated by Ordnance Factories and DPSUs. Post-2020 reforms have substantially opened defence manufacturing to private sector companies. Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge represent two of India's leading private defence manufacturers. This model — DRDO as the technology developer and private industry as the production partner — has become the preferred approach for indigenising complex defence systems, combining DRDO's R&D capability with private sector manufacturing efficiency.

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL): Aerospace and defence manufacturing arm of the Tata Group; produces aircraft fuselage sections, armoured vehicles, electronic warfare systems
Bharat Forge Limited: Part of the Kalyani Group; manufactures artillery guns (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System — ATAGS), armoured hulls, and defence components
The DRDO + private industry model is aligned with DAP 2020 provisions for "Make" category projects

Connection to this news: The tracked and wheeled amphibious platforms embody this public-private collaboration — DRDO provides the design and system integration, while Tata and Bharat Forge provide manufacturing scale and systems integration for production.

Key Facts & Data

Two variants: Tracked and Wheeled amphibious battle platforms developed by DRDO's VRDE, Ahilyanagar
Primary weapon: 30mm crewless (unmanned) turret with integrated ATGM launch capability
Secondary weapon: 7.62mm PKT coaxial gun
Protection: STANAG Level 4 and Level 5 (modular blast and ballistic armour)
Water crossing: Hydro jets enable amphibious operation
Indigenous content: Currently 65%, target 90%
Industry partners: Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited
Development timeline: Design to realisation completed in under 3 years
DRDO established: 1958; operates 50+ laboratories under Ministry of Defence
iDEX scheme (2018): 430+ contracts with 619 startups as of early 2025; ₹13,000 crore in business generated
India's defence exports: exceeded ₹21,000 crore in FY2024 — historic high