Bharat Forge, TASL, VRDE (DRDO) Collaborate on Advanced Armored Platforms

Pune, India – Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL) is co-developing the Vikram VT 21 project, in collaboration with the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), a laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), and supported by several MSMEs. The project constitutes development of two platforms: Advanced Armored Platform-Wheeled (AAP-Wh) and Advanced Armored Platform-Tracked (AAP-Tr).

The event saw the presence of Dr Samir V Kamat, Chairman, DRDO; G R M Rao, Director, VRDE; Prateek Kishore, DG (ACE), DRDO; Dr Chandrika Kaushik, DS & DG, (PC&SI), DRDO; and senior Indian Army officials among other industry representatives.

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

This AAP-Wh went from concept to combat-ready in under three years as a result of continuous engagement and joint problem-solving. Moreover, having cleared the Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) for WH-AFV and FICV of the Ministry of Defence, the Vikram VT 21 is ready to adapt to the evolving needs of the Indian Armed Forces and the global export market.

Bharat Forge Ltd and its wholly owned defence subsidiary, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL), remain committed to their continued partnership with DRDO, driven by the purpose of creating new strategic capabilities for India. Their focus is on ramping up in-house design and technology capacities to be fully aligned with the Indian Armed Forces’ futuristic needs to shape an ‘Atmanirbhar’ and ‘Sashakt Bharat’.

Image Source: Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL)