Vikram VT 21 Enters Trials, Boosting India’s Indigenous Defence Capability

India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing received a boost as DRDO’s VRDE and private sector partners flagged off the Vikram VT 21 armoured platform for field trials.

The wheeled variant (AAP-Wh) is part of a twin-platform programme that also includes a tracked version (AAP-Tr), co-developed with Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems, and MSMEs.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Samir. V. Kamat noted that 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 leapfrog platform design and development.

The platform’s rapid development cycle — under three years — underscores the increasing efficiency of public-private defence collaboration in India.

Amit Kalyani, VC & JMD of Bharat Forge Ltd, highlighted that the Vikram is a feat of systems engineering that brings together a ruggedised vehicle chassis and unmanned turret.

The platform has already cleared key Technical Evaluation Committee benchmarks for future infantry combat vehicle programmes, positioning it as a contender for Indian Army induction and export markets.