Why in news?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation has launched the Vikram VT 21 project featuring two Advanced Armoured Platforms—wheeled and tracked. These are designed to meet the Indian Army’s need for a Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV).

The platform aims to replace the ageing BMP-2 fleet by offering improved mobility, protection, and adaptability across varied terrains, positioning it as a next-generation solution for modern battlefield requirements.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Vikram VT 21: Advanced Armoured Platform by DRDO
• Vikram VT 21: Features, Mobility, Armour and Weaponry
• Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV): Need and Strategic Importance

Vikram VT 21: Advanced Armoured Platform by DRDO

• The Vikram VT 21 is an Advanced Armoured Platform (AAP) developed by the DRDO, designed as a modern infantry combat vehicle.
• It features enhanced armour protection capable of withstanding projectiles, blasts, and shrapnel, along with integrated weapons and surveillance systems.
• The platform also offers high mobility across diverse terrains, making it suitable for modern battlefield operations.
• Two Variants: Wheeled and Tracked
  • The project includes two variants:
    • Wheeled variant: Runs on tyres, offering higher speed, easier maintenance, and suitability for urban, semi-urban, and road conditions.
    • Tracked variant: Moves on continuous tracks like tanks, providing better grip, stability, and performance on rough, uneven, and off-road terrain.
  • Collaborative Development
    • The platform has been co-developed by the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, a DRDO facility, in partnership with Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, with support from multiple MSMEs and other DRDO units.

Vikram VT 21: Features, Mobility, Armour and Weaponry

• The Vikram VT 21 is equipped with an indigenously designed 30 mm crewless turret, a remotely operated system that enhances firepower, protection, and operational safety.
• It is paired with a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun and can launch third-generation Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), enabling it to effectively engage heavily armoured targets with precision.
• High Mobility and Performance
  • Powered by a high-capacity engine and automatic transmission, the platform offers a strong power-to-weight ratio, ensuring superior speed, agility, and manoeuvrability.
  • It can climb steep gradients and navigate difficult terrains, including trenches and uneven surfaces.
  • Additionally, its amphibious capability, supported by hydro jets and water propulsion systems, allows seamless movement across rivers and water bodies.
• Robust Armour and Protection
  • The vehicle provides STANAG Level 4 and 5 protection, adhering to NATO standards for resistance against heavy gunfire, explosions, and artillery fragments.
  • It also features modular blast and ballistic protection, enhancing survivability in diverse combat scenarios.
• Modularity and Indigenous Development
  • Designed as a modular platform, it can be adapted for multiple roles such as troop transport, reconnaissance, and combat support.
  • Currently, about 65% of the system is indigenously developed, with plans to increase this to 90%, strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV): Need and Strategic Importance

• The Indian Army requires a Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) to replace its ageing BMP-2 fleet, which has been in service since the 1980s.
• The need arises from evolving threats and the shift towards modern, technology-driven warfare.
• Role in Network-Centric Warfare
  • FICV is designed for network-centric warfare, where military units, sensors, and command systems are digitally connected.
  • This enables real-time information sharing, faster decision-making, improved coordination, and enhanced situational awareness, significantly boosting operational effectiveness.
• Operational Importance in High-Threat Areas
  • With enhanced mobility, protection, and firepower, FICVs are critical for infantry operations in high-risk zones, particularly along borders with China and Pakistan.
  • They support rapid deployment, combined arms operations, and integration of advanced surveillance and communication systems.
• Way Forward: Trials and Induction
  • Before induction, the platform must undergo development trials, user trials, and approval by the Indian Army, followed by large-scale production.
  • DRDO has expressed confidence that these stages can be completed within three years.