Anti-terrorist vehicle, mounted gun among 9 key tech transferred by DRDO

Indian Express

13 hours ago

AN INDIGENOUSLY developed Anti-Terrorist Vehicle and a mounted gun system were among the nine crucial technologies that were transferred to the industry partners on Saturday by the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), an Ahilyanagar based premier facility of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The transfers were part of the government's initiatives to establish a robust defence industrial ecosystem, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.
'In line with the government's vision to establish a robust defence industrial ecosystem with the participation of both public and private sectors, VRDE, a DRDO laboratory located in Ahilyanagar, has taken a major step forward by transferring technologies of nine systems to 10 industries. The licensing agreements were handed over in the presence of Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat during an event organised at VRDE on June 7,' said a press statement from the MoD.
The technologies transferred include a 'Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Recce Vehicle (Tracked) Mk-II' which was transferred to Bharat Electronics Limited.
The 'Mounted Gun System' (MGS) transferred to Bharat Forge Limited. The MGS has been designed and developed by adapting the 155mm/52 caliber advanced towed artillery gun system on an 8×8 high mobility vehicle. MGS is capable of operating at desert and high-altitude areas with shoot and scoot capability and has a maximum firing range of 45 kms with high accuracy and consistent firing. The advantage of MGS is that it can be rapidly deployed, matching the mobility of the mechanised forces, destroy the enemy targets and move out before retaliatory fire occurs, DRDO has said.
The 'Anti-Terrorist Vehicle – Tracked Version' was handed over to Metaltech Motor Bodies Private Limited. The anti-terrorist vehicle (tracked) has been indigenously developed taking into consideration various aspects like weight and dimensional profile, accommodation of three persons, all round ballistic and blast protection, better firing capability and capability to negotiate small gullies and narrow lanes during operations. The vehicle has been trial evaluated by the users.
The 'Full Trailer of 70t Tank Transporter for Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun Mk-1A' transferred to four entities, namely BEML Limited, Tata International Vehicle Applications, SDR Auto Private Limited and John Galt International. The 'Expandable Mobile Shelter' was transferred to Bharat Electronics Limited. The 'Vajra-Riot Control Vehicle' was transferred to Tata Advanced Systems Limited. The 'Unit Maintenance Vehicle for MBT Arjun' and 'Unit Repair Vehicle for MBT Arjun' were transferred to BEML Limited.
The 'Multi-Purpose Decontamination System' was transferred to Dass Hitachi Limited and the Goma Engineering Private Limited. This system can be deployed for decontamination of vehicles, equipment, personnel and terrain against Biological and Chemical warfare agents.
The MoD press statement added, 'VRDE also signed an MoU with COEP Technological University, Pune to jointly work on cutting-edge technologies and emerging areas. Speaking at the occasion, Dr Kamat complimented DRDO and the industry for the exceptional performance of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor. He also suggested the industry plan for surge capacity. He appreciated the efforts of VRDE in providing high-end technological solutions for land systems and weapon platforms. Director General (Armament and Combat Engineering) Cluster, DRDO Dr Prateek Kishore; Director, VRDE Shri G Ramamohana Rao and other senior scientists were present for the occasion with industry representatives.'