India’s effort to field a new generation of infantry combat vehicles has moved a step closer to reality after the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) confirmed that the wheeled variant of the Vikram VT-21 has successfully met key operational requirements during development testing.

According to a senior DRDO official, the vehicle completed a series of demanding trials and demonstrated strong performance across several critical areas. The wheeled platform successfully showcased its mobility, trench-crossing capability and amphibious performance with the turret fitted, marking an important milestone before the next stage of evaluation.

Development of the Vikram VT-21 has been led by DRDO’s Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahilyanagar in collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited, while a network of micro, small and medium enterprises has also contributed to the project. The first prototypes of both the wheeled and tracked variants were formally unveiled on 25 April 2026.

The tracked version continues to undergo parallel testing as the program advances towards its planned induction target of 2029. However, entry into service remains dependent on the vehicle successfully completing all trials and securing approval from the Indian Army.

The next phase will see extensive Army user trials across deserts, plains and high-altitude regions. These assessments will examine vehicle mobility, weapons integration, firing accuracy, survivability and overall performance under varied operational conditions. Feedback from these evaluations will guide any necessary refinements before the platform can move closer to operational service.

The Vikram VT-21 has been developed as a replacement for the Army’s ageing fleet of Russian-origin BMP-II infantry combat vehicles that have served as the backbone of India’s mechanised infantry formations since the 1980s. While the wheeled variant is intended to provide higher road speeds and improved strategic mobility, the tracked version is designed to deliver superior performance across demanding off-road terrain.

A major feature of the platform is its indigenous 30 mm unmanned turret, allowing the crew to remain protected inside the hull while operating the weapon system. The vehicle is also equipped with a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun and can launch anti-tank guided missiles to engage heavily armoured targets.

Protection has been enhanced through modular armour packages claimed to provide STANAG Level 4 and Level 5 ballistic and blast protection. Amphibious capability is supported through hydro-jet propulsion, enabling the vehicle to negotiate water obstacles, while a high-output diesel engine and automatic transmission provide a favourable power-to-weight ratio for improved manoeuvrability.

Current indigenous content is estimated at around 65 per cent, with developers aiming to increase that figure to 90 per cent as additional domestic components are incorporated into future production models.

A senior mechanised infantry officer noted that modern combat vehicles such as Germany’s Puma, Sweden’s CV90 family, the United States’ Bradley and South Korea’s K21 place increasing emphasis on integrating protection, firepower, surveillance systems and digital communications rather than relying solely on armour and weapons. The officer stated that the Vikram VT-21 is being designed to meet similar requirements for increasingly complex and hybrid warfare environments.

The project is being executed under the Development cum Production Partner (DCPP) framework, which combines DRDO’s research and design capabilities with the manufacturing expertise of private industry. Officials believe that successful induction would strengthen India’s armoured vehicle industry, improve long-term spares support and production quality, and reduce dependence on foreign technologies.

Both the wheeled and tracked variants have already received clearance from the Ministry of Defence’s Technical Evaluation Committee under the wheeled armoured fighting vehicle and Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) initiatives, allowing the program to progress into more advanced testing phases.

The Vikram VT-21 family consists of common wheeled and tracked platforms developed to maximise component sharing and simplify logistics. The design reflects the Indian Army’s broader modernisation drive aimed at replacing legacy Soviet-era combat systems with indigenous platforms that offer enhanced survivability, networked battlefield awareness, greater firepower and improved operational flexibility.

Army trials across India’s diverse terrain will now be the decisive stage in determining whether the Vikram VT-21 can satisfy the demanding operational requirements needed to become the country’s next frontline infantry combat vehicle.

Agencies