Vikram VT 21
Context:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently unveiled its Vikram VT 21 project on April 25, pitching it as a potential solution for the Indian Army's requirement for a Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV).
The platform is designed to replace the Army's ageing BMP-2 fleet, which has been in active service since the 1980s.
Features of the Platform:
These Advanced Armoured Platforms (AAP) were co-developed by DRDO’s Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) alongside industry partners Bharat Forge Limited and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, with support from MSMEs and other DRDO facilities.
The project features two distinct variants:
A wheeled version built for speed, easier maintenance, and urban environments
A tracked version offering superior grip and stability for rough, uneven, or off-road terrain.
The vehicles offer modular blast and ballistic protection meeting STANAG Level 4 and 5 (NATO-defined standards indicating resistance against heavy gunfire, explosions, and artillery fragments).
They feature a strong power-to-weight ratio to cross trenches and are fully amphibious, utilizing hydro jets for crossing water bodies efficiently.
The platform boasts an indigenously designed 30 mm crewless turret paired with a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun, and it can fire third-generation Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) Nag to destroy heavily armoured targets.
It is highly modular, adaptable for troop transport, reconnaissance, or combat support.
Currently, about 65% of the system is manufactured in India, with plans to scale the indigenous content to 90%.
Significance:
The FICV is crucial for modern, network-centric warfare—connecting different military units, sensors, and command systems into a single integrated network for real-time situational awareness and rapid decision-making.
This is vital for operations in high-threat environments, including along the borders with China and Pakistan.
DRDO expects to complete development trials, user acceptance, and scale up production within the next three years.