DRDO has unveiled two indigenously developed armoured platforms — tracked and wheeled variants — equipped with a 30 mm crewless turret, a 7.62 mm PKT gun, and ATGM capability; designed by the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited, currently at 65% indigenous content, rising to a planned 90%.
DRDO ने दो स्वदेशी कवचित प्लेटफ़ॉर्म अनावरण किए — ट्रैक्ड एवं व्हील्ड दोनों संस्करण — 30 mm क्रूलेस टरेट, 7.62 mm PKT गन एवं ATGM क्षमता के साथ; डिज़ाइन वाहन अनुसंधान एवं विकास प्रतिष्ठान (VRDE) द्वारा, टाटा एडवांस्ड सिस्टम्स लिमिटेड एवं भारत फोर्ज लिमिटेड के साथ; वर्तमान में 65% स्वदेशी सामग्री, 90% का लक्ष्य।
Why in News
DRDO has unveiled two new indigenously developed armoured platforms — a tracked variant and a wheeled variant — designed by the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Bharat Forge Limited, with MSME participation. The platforms target India's defence-modernisation push and broaden the army's mechanised-infantry options across diverse terrains.
Firepower: Both platforms carry an indigenously developed 30 mm crewless turret integrated with advanced targeting systems, complemented by a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and the capability to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs). The crewless turret design moves the gunner inside the hull — increasing crew survivability and reducing the silhouette.
Mobility and protection: High power-to-weight ratio, automatic transmission, and the ability to climb steep gradients and cross obstacles support manoeuvre across mountains, deserts, and amphibious environments. Protection meets STANAG Level 4 and 5 ballistic and blast standards, with modular protection on all sides — meaning the threat-protection package can be added or stripped per mission requirements.
Indigenous content: The platforms currently have 65% indigenous content, with a planned increase to 90% through deeper localisation of subsystems. The development sits within India's broader Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence push — including the DAP 2020 (Defence Acquisition Procedure), Positive Indigenisation Lists, and the Defence Industrial Corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
At a Glance
- Developing agency
- DRDO — Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE)
- Platforms unveiled
- Two — tracked variant + wheeled variant
- Main armament
- 30 mm indigenous crewless turret + 7.62 mm PKT gun + ATGM capability
- Protection
- STANAG Level 4 and 5; modular blast and ballistic protection on all sides
- Mobility
- High power-to-weight ratio; high-power engine + automatic transmission; suitable for land and amphibious operations
- Industrial partners
- Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL); Bharat Forge Limited; MSME ecosystem
- Indigenous content
- 65% currently; planned increase to 90%
- Strategic context
- Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence; DAP 2020; Positive Indigenisation Lists; Defence Industrial Corridors (TN, UP)
DRDO has unveiled two indigenously developed armoured platforms — a tracked variant and a wheeled variant — designed by the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a key DRDO laboratory, in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited, with MSME support.
Firepower system:
- 30 mm indigenously developed crewless turret with advanced targeting systems and modular weapon configurations — the gunner sits inside the hull, increasing crew survivability and reducing the platform's silhouette
- 7.62 mm PKT machine gun as secondary armament
- Capability to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), making the platform effective against armoured threats
- Modular design allows adaptation to multiple combat roles
Mobility:
- High power-to-weight ratio for speed and agility
- High-power engine + automatic transmission
- Capability to climb steep gradients and cross obstacles
- Suitable for both land and amphibious operations
Protection:
- STANAG Level 4 and 5 — NATO-standardised ballistic and blast protection levels
- Modular blast and ballistic protection on all sides — the threat package can be configured per mission
Indigenous content: The platforms currently have 65% indigenous content, with a planned increase to 90% through deeper localisation of subsystems.
About VRDE — Vehicles Research & Development Establishment: DRDO laboratory headquartered in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Maharashtra; specialises in design and development of military vehicles — including main battle tanks (in collaboration with CVRDE), armoured personnel carriers, infantry combat vehicles, mine-protected vehicles, and specialist mobility platforms. Sister laboratory CVRDE (Combat Vehicles R&D Establishment) in Avadi, Chennai focuses on tracked combat vehicles like the Arjun MBT and Nag missile carriers.
About STANAG protection levels: STANAG 4569 is a NATO standardisation agreement defining levels of armour protection for logistic and light armoured vehicles. Level 4 protects against 14.5 mm AP rounds and 155 mm artillery fragments at 30 m; Level 5 protects against 25 mm APDS and improvised mines — among the highest practical protection levels for medium armoured platforms.
Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence — wider context: India is the world's largest arms importer historically but is rapidly building domestic capacity through DAP 2020 (Defence Acquisition Procedure), the Positive Indigenisation Lists (5 lists so far covering 500+ items barred from import), the Defence Industrial Corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) scheme for start-ups, the Strategic Partnership Model for major platforms, and the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020.
Industrial partners:
- Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL): Subsidiary of Tata Sons; major Indian defence-and-aerospace manufacturer; partner on platforms including C-295, ALH Dhruv, Apache fuselage manufacturing
- Bharat Forge Limited: Pune-headquartered Kalyani Group company; major artillery and armaments manufacturer; produces 155 mm towed guns, advanced towed artillery systems (ATAGS partner with DRDO)
DRDO ने दो स्वदेशी कवचित प्लेटफ़ॉर्म अनावरण किए — ट्रैक्ड एवं व्हील्ड दोनों संस्करण; डिज़ाइन वाहन अनुसंधान एवं विकास प्रतिष्ठान (VRDE) द्वारा (DRDO प्रयोगशाला); टाटा एडवांस्ड सिस्टम्स लिमिटेड एवं भारत फोर्ज लिमिटेड के साथ सहयोग।
अग्नि शक्ति प्रणाली:
- 30 mm स्वदेशी क्रूलेस टरेट उन्नत लक्ष्य प्रणालियों के साथ — गनर हल के अंदर बैठता है, चालक दल सुरक्षा बढ़ती है
- 7.62 mm PKT मशीन गन द्वितीयक हथियार
- ATGM (एंटी-टैंक गाइडेड मिसाइल) लॉन्च क्षमता — कवचित खतरों के विरुद्ध प्रभावी
- मॉड्यूलर डिज़ाइन = कई युद्ध भूमिकाओं के लिए अनुकूलनीय
गतिशीलता:
- उच्च पावर-टू-वेट अनुपात; उच्च शक्ति इंजन + ऑटोमैटिक ट्रांसमिशन
- तीव्र ढलान चढ़ने एवं बाधाओं को पार करने की क्षमता
- भूमि एवं उभयचर अभियानों के लिए उपयुक्त
सुरक्षा:
- STANAG स्तर 4 एवं 5 — NATO मानकीकृत बैलिस्टिक एवं विस्फोट सुरक्षा
- सभी पक्षों पर मॉड्यूलर सुरक्षा
स्वदेशी सामग्री: वर्तमान में 65%; 90% का लक्ष्य।
VRDE: DRDO प्रयोगशाला; मुख्यालय अहिल्यानगर (पूर्व अहमदनगर), महाराष्ट्र; सैन्य वाहन डिज़ाइन में विशेषज्ञता। बहन प्रयोगशाला CVRDE (कॉम्बैट वाहन R&D प्रतिष्ठान) = आवडी, चेन्नई में; अर्जुन MBT एवं नाग मिसाइल वाहक पर केंद्रित।
STANAG स्तर: STANAG 4569 = NATO मानकीकरण समझौता जो हल्के कवचित वाहनों के लिए सुरक्षा स्तर परिभाषित करता है। स्तर 4 = 14.5 mm AP राउंड + 155 mm तोपख़ाना टुकड़े; स्तर 5 = 25 mm APDS + सुधरी हुई खानें।
आत्मनिर्भर भारत — रक्षा संदर्भ: भारत = ऐतिहासिक रूप से दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा हथियार आयातक; अब घरेलू क्षमता तेज़ी से बढ़ा रहा है — DAP 2020 (रक्षा अधिग्रहण प्रक्रिया), सकारात्मक स्वदेशीकरण सूचियाँ (5 सूचियाँ, 500+ आइटम), रक्षा औद्योगिक गलियारे (तमिलनाडु + उत्तर प्रदेश), iDEX, रणनीतिक साझेदारी मॉडल, रक्षा उत्पादन एवं निर्यात संवर्धन नीति 2020।
औद्योगिक भागीदार:
- टाटा एडवांस्ड सिस्टम्स लिमिटेड (TASL): टाटा संस की सहायक; प्रमुख भारतीय रक्षा-एयरोस्पेस निर्माता
- भारत फोर्ज लिमिटेड: पुणे; कल्याणी समूह; प्रमुख तोपख़ाना एवं हथियार निर्माता; ATAGS भागीदार
Static GK
- •DRDO — Defence Research and Development Organisation: Premier defence R&D agency under Ministry of Defence; founded 1958; HQ DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi; oversees 50+ laboratories; current Chairman is Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D
- •VRDE — Vehicles Research & Development Establishment: DRDO laboratory in Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Maharashtra; specialises in design and development of military vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, infantry combat vehicles, and specialist mobility platforms
- •CVRDE — Combat Vehicles R&D Establishment: Sister DRDO laboratory in Avadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu; focuses on tracked combat vehicles, including Arjun Main Battle Tank and Nag missile carriers; complementary to VRDE's wheeled and lighter armoured-vehicle focus
- •STANAG 4569: NATO Standardisation Agreement defining ballistic and blast protection levels for logistic and light armoured vehicles; Level 1 (low) to Level 6 (highest); Levels 4-5 are typical for medium armoured platforms; Level 6 protects against 30 mm APFSDS rounds
- •ATGM — Anti-Tank Guided Missile: Precision-guided missile designed to destroy heavily armoured military vehicles; Indian indigenous ATGMs include Nag (and its Helina helicopter-launched variant), MPATGM (Man-Portable ATGM), and SANT (Stand-off Anti-Tank)
- •30 mm crewless turret: Remote weapon station mounted on the vehicle exterior with the gunner inside the hull; increases crew survivability, reduces silhouette, and improves armour efficiency; trend in modern armoured-vehicle design
- •Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL): Subsidiary of Tata Sons; major Indian defence-and-aerospace manufacturer; partner in C-295 transport aircraft (Vadodara plant), Apache helicopter fuselages, ALH Dhruv, drones, and a range of armoured-vehicle and missile programmes
- •Bharat Forge Limited: Pune-headquartered Kalyani Group company; one of India's largest forging and defence-armaments firms; major artillery and weapons manufacturer; partner with DRDO on Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
- •Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence — key instruments: DAP 2020 (Defence Acquisition Procedure); Positive Indigenisation Lists (5 lists, 500+ items barred from import); Defence Industrial Corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh; iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) for start-ups; Strategic Partnership Model; Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020
- •India's defence exports trajectory: Defence exports have grown from ~₹1,940 crore (FY17) to ~₹21,000+ crore by FY24-25; target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029; major export destinations include Armenia, Philippines, USA, France
- •Defence Industrial Corridors: Two corridors notified — Tamil Nadu (Chennai-Coimbatore-Tiruchirappalli-Salem-Hosur) and Uttar Pradesh (Aligarh-Agra-Jhansi-Kanpur-Lucknow); aim to cluster defence manufacturing and attract private investment
Timeline
- 1958DRDO formed by amalgamation of Defence Science Organisation and existing technical departments
- 2018Defence Industrial Corridors notified — Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
- 2020DAP 2020 (Defence Acquisition Procedure) released; Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020
- 2020-21First Positive Indigenisation List for defence platforms issued
- 2021-2024Subsequent Positive Indigenisation Lists 2-5 issued; cumulative 500+ items barred from import
- 2026DRDO-VRDE unveils tracked + wheeled armoured platforms with 30 mm crewless turret and ATGM capability; 65% indigenous content (target 90%)
- →Developer: DRDO — laboratory VRDE (Vehicles Research & Development Establishment)
- →VRDE HQ: Ahilyanagar (formerly Ahmednagar), Maharashtra
- →Sister lab: CVRDE at Avadi, Chennai (tracked combat vehicles incl. Arjun MBT)
- →Variants: tracked + wheeled — flexible across terrain
- →Main weapon: 30 mm crewless turret + 7.62 mm PKT machine gun
- →ATGM = Anti-Tank Guided Missile capability
- →Indian ATGMs: Nag, Helina, MPATGM, SANT
- →Protection: STANAG Level 4 + 5 (NATO standard 4569)
- →Modular blast + ballistic protection on all sides
- →Operations: both land + amphibious
- →Indigenous content: 65% currently → 90% planned
- →Industrial partners: Tata Advanced Systems Limited + Bharat Forge + MSMEs
- →Atmanirbhar Bharat instruments: DAP 2020 + Positive Indigenisation Lists + Defence Corridors (TN + UP) + iDEX
- →DRDO formed in 1958; HQ DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi
Exam Angles
DRDO's Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) has unveiled two indigenously developed armoured platforms — a tracked and a wheeled variant — equipped with a 30 mm crewless turret, 7.62 mm PKT gun, and ATGM capability; protection meets STANAG Levels 4 and 5 with modular blast and ballistic protection on all sides; suitable for both land and amphibious operations; built with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited; 65% indigenous content currently, with a planned increase to 90%.
Q1. Which two private-sector Indian companies are key industrial partners for the new DRDO armoured platforms?
- A.Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Bharat Forge Limited
- B.Reliance Defence and L&T Defence
- C.Mahindra Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
- D.Bharat Electronics Limited and Bharat Earth Movers Limited
tap to reveal answer
Answer: A. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Bharat Forge Limited
The platforms are built in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) — a Tata Sons subsidiary — and Bharat Forge Limited — Pune-based Kalyani Group company that is also a DRDO partner on the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). MSMEs also participate. The platforms have 65% indigenous content, with a planned increase to 90%.
Q2. Where are India's two notified Defence Industrial Corridors located?
- A.Maharashtra and Karnataka
- B.Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
- C.Gujarat and Rajasthan
- D.Kerala and Telangana
tap to reveal answer
Answer: B. Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
India has two notified Defence Industrial Corridors — one in Tamil Nadu (Chennai–Coimbatore–Tiruchirappalli–Salem–Hosur) and one in Uttar Pradesh (Aligarh–Agra–Jhansi–Kanpur–Lucknow). Both were notified in 2018 and aim to cluster defence manufacturing, attract private investment, and complement the Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence push.
Q1. Which Indian indigenous Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) is the helicopter-launched variant of the Nag missile?
- A.MPATGM
- B.Helina
- C.SANT
- D.Akash
tap to reveal answer
Answer: B. Helina
Helina (Helicopter-launched Nag) is the helicopter-launched variant of India's indigenous Nag ATGM, developed by DRDO. Other Indian ATGMs include MPATGM (Man-Portable ATGM), SANT (Stand-off Anti-Tank), and the original land-based Nag. Akash is a surface-to-air missile (SAM), not an ATGM.
DRDO has unveiled two indigenously developed armoured platforms — tracked and wheeled variants — designed by the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited. Both carry an indigenous 30 mm crewless turret, a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, and ATGM capability, with STANAG Levels 4 and 5 protection. Indigenous content currently at 65%, with a planned 90% target.
Strategic significance: The platforms fit India's broader Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence push, which has accelerated since 2020 through:
- DAP 2020 (Defence Acquisition Procedure) — categorisation of capital procurements with preference for Indian firms (Buy Indian-IDDM, Buy Indian, Buy & Make Indian)
- Five Positive Indigenisation Lists — over 500 items barred from import, requiring sourcing from Indian manufacturers
- Defence Industrial Corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh
- iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) — start-up engagement scheme
- Strategic Partnership Model — for major platforms (submarines, fighter jets) with Indian private prime contractors
- Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020
Operational utility: Tracked variants typically excel in cross-country and rugged-terrain mobility, while wheeled variants offer faster on-road movement and lower logistics burden — pairing both gives the army doctrinal flexibility across mountain (LAC), desert (western front), and amphibious (coastal) theatres.
Industrial-base development: Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge are emblematic of the new private-sector defence prime contractor model. TASL leads in aerospace assembly (C-295, Apache fuselages, ALH Dhruv), while Bharat Forge is India's largest artillery and weapons forging firm and a co-developer of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) with DRDO.
Export potential: With defence exports rising from ₹1,940 crore (FY17) to ₹21,000+ crore (FY24-25) and a target of ₹50,000 crore by 2029, DRDO-VRDE platforms with high indigenous content open potential export markets — especially in Africa, ASEAN, Indian Ocean rim, and parts of Latin America.
- Indigenous capability building65% indigenous content with 90% target reflects deepening localisation of subsystems beyond final assembly
- Force-mix flexibilityTracked + wheeled pairing gives army terrain doctrinal flexibility (LAC mountains + desert + amphibious)
- Crewless-turret modernisationAligns Indian platforms with global trend (Russian T-14 Armata, US M10 Booker, European systems) toward unmanned turrets
- Private-sector primesTASL + Bharat Forge as primes is the new private-sector defence-industrial template; previously dominated by DPSUs
- MSME integrationMSMEs in the supply chain anchor employment, regional manufacturing capacity, and resilient supply
- Export potentialDRDO-developed, IP-owned platforms enable exports — major leverage for India's defence-export targets
- Time-to-induction is typically long for new DRDO platforms
- User trials and Indian Army acceptance feedback loops can require iteration
- Achieving 90% indigenous content depends on subsystem-level capability (engines, optics, electronics)
- Cost-competitiveness vs imports must be demonstrated for serial production
- Reliability under extreme high-altitude (Ladakh) and desert (Rajasthan) conditions
- Accelerate user trials and induction timelines
- Deepen subsystem-level indigenisation (engines, optics, electronics, transmissions)
- Build engine-design capability domestically — historically the weakest segment
- Leverage Defence Industrial Corridors for supply-chain clustering
- Promote exports through Lines of Credit and government-to-government routes
- Continue iDEX and Technology Development Fund support for next-generation systems
Mains Q · 250wDiscuss the significance of DRDO's recent indigenous armoured-platform unveiling for India's Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence. What are the key challenges and policy levers? (250 words)
Intro: DRDO's VRDE has unveiled two indigenous armoured platforms — tracked and wheeled — with a 30 mm crewless turret, 7.62 mm PKT gun, ATGM capability, and STANAG Levels 4-5 protection. Built with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited; 65% indigenous content today, 90% target.
- Significance: deepens private-sector defence-industrial base; aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence
- Force-mix flexibility: tracked + wheeled gives army terrain doctrinal options across LAC, desert, amphibious theatres
- Modernisation alignment: crewless-turret design matches global trend (T-14 Armata, M10 Booker)
- Industrial-base development: TASL and Bharat Forge as private-sector primes; MSME integration
- Atmanirbhar instruments: DAP 2020, Positive Indigenisation Lists (5 lists, 500+ items), Defence Industrial Corridors (TN, UP), iDEX, Strategic Partnership Model
- Export potential: defence exports ₹1,940 cr (FY17) → ₹21,000+ cr (FY24-25); target ₹50,000 cr by 2029
- Challenges: time-to-induction; engine design capability; subsystem indigenisation (optics, electronics); cost-competitiveness; high-altitude / desert reliability
- Way forward: accelerate user trials; deepen subsystem indigenisation; build engine capability; Defence Industrial Corridors clustering; export promotion via LoCs and G2G; iDEX continuation
Conclusion: The platforms are best viewed not as isolated systems but as a marker of India's defence-industrial maturation — private primes + DRDO IP + MSME supply chain + clear localisation roadmap. Final test will be induction speed, engine-design indigenisation, and the export proof points that follow.
Common Confusions
- Trap · Developing laboratory
Correct: VRDE — Vehicles Research & Development Establishment in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra; not CVRDE (which is in Avadi, Chennai and focuses on Arjun MBT and tracked combat vehicles)
- Trap · Two variants unveiled
Correct: Tracked + Wheeled variants — flexible across terrain; not just one or three
- Trap · Main armament
Correct: 30 mm indigenous crewless turret + 7.62 mm PKT machine gun + ATGM capability — the gunner sits inside the hull (crewless turret), increasing crew survivability
- Trap · Protection level
Correct: STANAG Levels 4 and 5 under STANAG 4569 (NATO standardisation agreement); Level 4 = 14.5 mm AP rounds + 155 mm artillery fragments; Level 5 = 25 mm APDS + improvised mines
- Trap · Indigenous content
Correct: 65% currently, planned increase to 90%; not 100% (yet) and not below 50%
- Trap · Industrial partners
Correct: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) + Bharat Forge Limited + MSMEs — not Reliance Defence and not Mahindra
- Trap · Defence Industrial Corridors
Correct: Tamil Nadu (Chennai–Coimbatore–Tiruchirappalli–Salem–Hosur) and Uttar Pradesh (Aligarh–Agra–Jhansi–Kanpur–Lucknow); only two corridors notified, both in 2018
- Trap · Indian ATGM family
Correct: Indigenous ATGMs include Nag (vehicle-launched), Helina (helicopter-launched), MPATGM (man-portable), SANT (stand-off); Akash is an SAM, not an ATGM
- Trap · DRDO founding year
Correct: 1958 — formed by amalgamation of Defence Science Organisation and existing technical departments; HQ DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi
- Trap · Defence-export trajectory
Correct: Defence exports rose from ₹1,940 crore (FY17) to ₹21,000+ crore (FY24-25); target ₹50,000 crore by 2029