Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), a unit of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in association with Bharat Forge Ltd and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, has co-created the Vikram VT 21, an advanced armoured platform expected to be battle-ready in under three years.
The Vikram VT 21 programme comprises two variants — Advanced Armoured Platform Wheeled (AAP-Wh) and Advanced Armoured Platform-Tracked (AAP-Tr), aimed at meeting evolving operational requirements of the armed forces.
DCPP model drives development
The platform was flagged off in the presence of DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat, VRDE Director G.R.M. Rao, ACE Director General Prateek Kishore, and Director General (PC&SI) Chandrika Kaushik, along with senior Indian Army officials and industry representatives.
“This project is testament to the effectiveness of the Development Cum Production Partner (DCPP) model in bringing together DRDO’s expertise and industry partners’ scale to accelerate platform design and development,” said DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat.
Industry collaboration accelerates timelines and capabilities
“Vikram is a feat of systems engineering that brings together a ruggedised vehicle chassis and unmanned turret,” said Bharat Forge Ltd, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Amit Kalyani.
He added that the wheeled variant progressed from concept to combat-ready in under three years through continuous engagement and joint problem-solving. Having cleared the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) for WH-AFV and FICV programmes of the Ministry of Defence, the platform is positioned to adapt to both domestic and global requirements.
Platform targets domestic and export markets
Bharat Forge and its wholly owned subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd will continue to partner with Defence Research and Development Organisation to build strategic capabilities, with a focus on strengthening in-house design and technology aligned with the future needs of the armed forces.