India's DRDO unveils armoured fighting platforms

DRDO's wheeled AAP is displayed at the unveiling ceremony held in Ahilyanagar on 25 April. (Press Information Bureau)

India's state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has unveiled two armoured fighting vehicle types, collectively designated ‘Advanced' Armoured Platforms (AAPs), at a ceremony held in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra on 25 April.

According to the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the AAPs – also known as Vikram VT-21 – comprise wheeled and tracked designs. The platforms were developed by the DRDO's Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) and are intended to operate in infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and armoured personnel carrier (APC) roles.

The MoD said the AAPs were manufactured by Indian firms Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited, with production support provided by micro, small, and medium enterprises. According to the MoD, the vehicles feature 65% indigenous content, with plans to increase this figure to 90% over time.

The AAPs are fitted with a locally developed 30 mm unmanned turret, which integrates a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and an anti-tank missile launcher. The vehicles also feature STANAG Level 4 and 5 ballistic and mine protection.

The AAPs are also amphibious and incorporate hydrojets to improve water-obstacle crossing capability, enhancing operational flexibility. “Integrated with a high power engine and automatic transmission, these [AAPs] possess a high power to weight ratio, higher speed capabilities, gradient and obstacle negotiating capability,” the MoD said.

DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat told reporters at the ceremony that the two Vikram VT-21 platforms were developed in three years. [The unveiling] will lead to subsequent development and user trials,” he said. “We hope to get [the AAPs] inducted into [the Indian] Army in the next three years.”

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