The Advanced Armoured Platform-Wheeled (AAP-Wh) platform under the Vikram VT 21 project was flagged-off for field trials in Pune on Saturday, 25th April. The Vikram VT 21 project constitutes development of two platforms; Advanced Armoured Platform-Wheeled (AAP-Wh) and Advanced Armoured Platform-Tracked (AAP-Tr), co-created by VRDE (DRDO), Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), and supported by several MSMEs. The event saw the presence of Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman (DRDO), Mr. G. R. M. Rao, Director (VRDE), Mr. Prateek Kishore, DG (ACE), Dr. (Ms) Chandrika Kaushik, DS & DG (PC&SI), senior Indian Army officials among other industry representatives.
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. Mr. 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 platforms have been integrated with indigenously designed and developed 30 mm crewless turret with advanced features to meet the mobility fire power and protection requirements The 30 mm crewless turret along with the 7.62 mm PKT gun is configured to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles as well. The base design has the capabilities to be configured for multiple roles. The indigenous content is to the tune of 65 per cent with plans to increase it to 90 per cent.
Integrated with high power engine and automatic transmission these platforms possess a high power to weight ratio higher speed capabilities gradient and obstacle negotiating capability STANAG (a measure of the level of protection) level 4 and 5 protection with modular blast and ballistic protection all around .
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 and its wholly owned defence subsidiary- Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), remain committed to our continued partnership with DRDO, driven by the purpose of creating new strategic capabilities for India. Our 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.
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