The Indian Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has unveiled two new indigenously developed Vikram VT-21 armoured vehicle platforms comprising both a wheeled and tracked chassis that share as much commonality as possible.
The pair of vehicles was revealed last week by the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, along with their development cum production partners Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Bharat Forge Limited (BFL).
The Vikram VT-21 programme comprises two variants: the Advanced Armoured Platform – Wheeled (AAP-Wh) and the Advanced Armoured Platform – Tracked (AAP-Tr).
Development of the armed wheeled variant took three years.
Both platforms have now cleared the Ministry of Defence’s Technical Evaluation Committee, and are set to undergo mobility and performance trials across varied terrain.
Both variants are equipped with a 30mm crewless turret that also houses two antitank guided missiles and six smoke grenade launchers. Images released show only the AAP-Wh armed with a 7.62mm PKT machine gun mounted on a remote-controlled weapon station (RWS).
Both platforms feature claimed STANAG Level 4/5 protection for both modular blast and ballistic protection.
These high-mobility, armoured vehicles are powered by a 600hp engine coupled to an automatic transmission, and they incorporate hydro jets for enhanced amphibious capability. Indigenous content on the Vikram VT-21 is claimed to be at 65%, with plans to eventually increase this level to 90%.
TASL and BFL will produce both variants of the armoured vehicles, if official orders are placed.
The wheeled AAP-Wh appears to be a derivative of the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), which is India’s first indigenously developed 8×8 infantry combat vehicle capable of amphibious operations.
The first batch of these armoured vehicles was handed over to the Indian Army in April 2022. They were armed with an RWS, and the type was also subsequently inducted into the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in August 2023. The CRPF vehicles are in an unarmed configuration, but they are fitted with a water cannon for internal security duties.
The WhAP 8×8 has also been ordered by the Royal Moroccan Army, with deliveries commencing in October 2025. Tata Advanced Systems Morocco inaugurated a local production line in Berrechid in the Casablanca region in September 2025.
by Mike Rajkumar
