DRDO Unveils Indigenous Advanced Armoured Platforms with 30 mm Crewless Turret

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 25 April 2026 unveiled two new Advanced Armoured Platforms — one tracked and one wheeled — at the premises of the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra. The platforms were rolled out by the Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman, DRDO.

Both platforms are integrated with an indigenously designed 30 mm crewless (remote-operated) turret along with a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and are configured to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs). The crewless turret design improves crew survivability by removing soldiers from the most exposed part of the vehicle, while still delivering high firepower, sensor reach and protection.

Manufacturing of the platforms has been carried out by two industry partners — Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited — with a wide ecosystem of MSME suppliers. The current indigenous content stands at about 65%, and DRDO has indicated a roadmap to take this to roughly 90% as more sub-systems, including engines and electronics, are localised.

The next steps will be development trials by DRDO followed by user trials by the Indian Army, with the platforms targeted for induction within roughly three years. The launch fits the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence push, where positive indigenisation lists, increased defence-industrial corridors and DPSU disinvestment have been used to grow the domestic ecosystem.

Exam angle: Remember VRDE (Ahilyanagar), DRDO as the parent organisation under the Ministry of Defence, the 30 mm crewless turret, and the indigenisation target. Useful for CDS, AFCAT, NDA, CAPF, SSC GD and UPSC current-affairs.