DRDO, Tata Advanced Systems develop next-gen armoured platforms, unmanned turret
VIKRAM VT 21 and 30mm unmanned turret completed in under 30 months; mobility trials conducted at NCAT
The prototypes were completed in under 30 months and flagged off on April 25 at the Vehicle Dynamic Test Track of the National Centre for Automotive Testing (NCAT), in the presence of DRDO chairman Samir V. Kamat and senior officials from DRDO and industry partners.
Mumbai: Tata Advanced Systems Limited, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed next-generation advanced armoured platforms along with a 30mm unmanned turret, marking a significant milestone in indigenous defence capability.
The platforms – VIKRAM VT 21 in both tracked and wheeled configurations – along with the unmanned turret, were designed by DRDO’s Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) and developed and manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems with institutional support from DRDO.
The prototypes were completed in under 30 months and flagged off on April 25 at the Vehicle Dynamic Test Track of the National Centre for Automotive Testing (NCAT), in the presence of DRDO chairman Samir V. Kamat and senior officials from DRDO and industry partners.
The armoured platform integrates advanced automotive systems, modular architecture and enhanced survivability features, with provisions for next-generation combat capabilities including crewless operations.
The 30mm unmanned turret, jointly developed by Tata Advanced Systems and DRDO, is designed for armoured personnel carriers and enables precision targeting and enhanced firepower while allowing operators to remain safely within the vehicle.
Prior to the flag-off, both platforms underwent mobility trials at NCAT, with additional testing planned in subsequent phases.
Sukaran Singh, chief executive officer and managing director of Tata Advanced Systems Limited, said the programme sets a new benchmark in collaboration between industry and DRDO in terms of development timelines and system quality.
The development underscores Tata Advanced Systems’ role in advancing indigenous defence technologies and supporting future-ready combat systems for the armed forces, with a focus on mobility, survivability and mission readiness.
