In line with the government’s plan to strengthen the defence industrial base through public and private sector participation, the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO laboratory in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, has transferred technologies of nine systems to 10 industries.
The licensing agreements were handed over on June 7 at an event at VRDE in the presence of Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, according to the Ministry of Defence.
VRDE also signed a memorandum of understanding with COEP Technological University, Pune, for collaboration on technologies and emerging areas.
The transferred technology includes:
- The CBRN Recce Vehicle (Tracked) Mk-II, designed for reconnaissance in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environments, was licensed to Bharat Electronics Limited.
- The Mounted Gun System, a mobile artillery platform developed for rapid deployment, was handed over to Bharat Forge Limited.
- Metaltech Motor Bodies Pvt Ltd received the technology for the Anti-Terrorist Vehicle (Tracked), which is built for counter-insurgency operations in difficult terrain.
- For logistics and mobility support, VRDE transferred the Full Trailer technology for 70-ton MBT Arjun Mk-1A transporters to four companies: BEML Ltd, Tata International Vehicle Applications, SDR Auto Pvt Ltd, and John Galt International.
- The Expandable Mobile Shelter, designed to provide modular command-and-control or medical units in the field, was licensed to Bharat Electronics Limited.
- Tata Advanced Systems Limited was selected for the Vajra Riot Control Vehicle, equipped for crowd control in sensitive zones.
- BEML Ltd also received technologies for both the Unit Maintenance Vehicle and the Unit Repair Vehicle, essential for field servicing of the Arjun MBT.
- Lastly, the Multi-Purpose Decontamination System, which can neutralise contaminants on personnel, equipment and terrain, was jointly transferred to Dass Hitachi Ltd and Goma Engineering Pvt Ltd.
- This collective transfer reflects a strategic push towards a self-reliant and collaborative defence manufacturing ecosystem in India.
Focus on industry participation: Speaking at the event, Dr Kamat acknowledged the performance of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor and urged industry to plan for surge capacity. He also noted VRDE’s work in providing technological solutions for land systems and weapon platforms.
