Vikram VT 21: How Vikram VT 21 Upgrades India’s Infantry Combat Vehicles

Vikram VT 21 Latest 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.

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.

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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.

Source: IE