In June 2025, Ahilyanagar (Maharashtra) based Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory has transferred technologies of 9 systems to 10 industries, as a major step to establish a robust defence industrial ecosystem with the participation of both public and private sectors.
- The technologies transferred to the industry include Product/ Technology Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Reconnaissance Vehicle(RV) (Tracked) Mk-II;Mounted Gun System(MGS); Anti-Terrorist Vehicle(ATV)-Tracked version; Full Trailer of 70t Tank Transporter for Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun Mk-1A;Expandable Mobile Shelter; Vajra-Riot Control Vehicle Unit Maintenance Vehicle(UMV) for MBT Arjun; Unit Repair Vehicle(URV) for MBT Arjun and Multi-Purpose Decontamination System(MPDS)
- This initiative represents a significant milestone in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, advancing India’s domestic defence sector by empowering Indian industries with cutting-edge defence technologies.
Key Points:
i.The licensing agreements were handed over in the presence of Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), and Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), during an event organised at VRDE.
ii.VRDE also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pune (Maharashtra) based COEP Technological University, to collaborate on cutting-edge technologies and emerging areas.
9 systems transferred to 10 industries:
| Sl No | Product/ Technology | Industry Partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Reconnaissance Vehicle(RV) (Tracked) Mk-II | Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL), Bengaluru(Karnataka) |
| 2 | Mounted Gun System(MGS) | Bharat Forge Limited(BFL), Pune(Maharashtra) |
| 3 | Anti-Terrorist Vehicle(ATV)-Tracked version | Meltatech Motor Bodies Private Limited, Bawal(Haryana) |
| 4 | Full Trailer of 70t Tank Transporter for Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun Mk-1A | Tata International Vehicle Applications Private Limited(TIVAPL), Pune |
| SDR Auto Private Limited, Thiruvallur(Tamil Nadu, TN) | ||
| BEML Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka | ||
| John Galt International, Mumbai(Maharashtra) | ||
| 5 | Expandable Mobile Shelter | BEL |
| 6 | Vajra-Riot Control Vehicle | Tata Advanced Systems Limited(TASL), Hyderabad(Telangana) |
| 7 | Unit Maintenance Vehicle(UMV) for MBT Arjun | BEML Limited, Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| 8 | Unit Repair Vehicle(URV) for MBT Arjun | |
| 9 | Multi-Purpose Decontamination System(MPDS) | Das Hitachi Limited, Pune |
| Goma Engineering Private Limited, Bawal. |
About Systems Transferred:
The nine systems encompass a range of advanced technologies:
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear(CBRN) Reconnaissance Vehicle(RV): A vehicle equipped to detect and identify chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. It is built for effective operation across plains, deserts, and semi-arid regions.
- Mounted Gun System (MGS): A 155millimeter (mm)/52 caliber truck-mounted artillery gun system designed for high mobility and rapid deployment. It enables swift deployment, features shoot-and-scoot capability, and can engage targets up to 45 Kilometer(km) away.
- Anti-Terrorist Vehicle (ATV): The ATV – Tracked is a compact, heavily armoured platform engineered for high-risk missions in urban areas and along border regions. It is equipped with a remote-controlled weapon station and thermal imaging sights, offering exceptional mobility in confined spaces and rugged terrains.
- 70-ton(t) trailer for the Arjun Mk-1A Main Battle Tank (MBT): It is a robust, modular platform designed for long-distance road transport, equipped with five hydraulic suspension axle lines, steerable axles, a height-adjustable deck, and hydraulic ramps. It securely carries loads up to 70 t at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour(km/h).
- Expandable Mobile Shelter: It is designed to unfold on both sides, tripling its original workspace to support front-line field operations with a spacious, functional interior.Compact during transport, it expands via foldable sidewalls, roof, floor, and end panels for quick setup.
- Vajra-Riot Control Vehicle: It is a non-armoured 7-ton platform with 4×2 or 4×4 drive, built on TATA, Eicher, or Swaraj chassis, and used by law enforcement to transport 26 personnel plus 2 crew with full riot gear.It supports crowd control operations with a roof-mounted tear gas launcher, floodlights, fire extinguishers, stretchers, and a wind direction indicator.
- Unit Maintenance Vehicle (UMV) Mk-II: A vehicle providing maintenance support for armored vehicles in operational areas.
- Unit Repair Vehicle (URV) Mk-II: A vehicle designed for the repair and maintenance of armored vehicles in field conditions.
- Multipurpose Decontamination System (MPDS): A system designed for decontaminating personnel, equipment, and terrain in CBRN scenarios. It is equipped with a chemical delivery system supported by a backup pump, a diesel-fired boiler, and an advanced control unit for dispensing hot or cold water and high-pressure steam.
QuBeats Bags Rs. 25 crore Defence Grant to Build Quantum Navigation
In June 2025, Hyderabad (Telangana) based QuBeats, Indian Quantum deeptech, has won the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) Acing Development of Innovative Technologies 2.0 (ADITI 2.0) Defence Challenge to develop an indigenous Quantum Positioning System (QPS) for the Indian Navy(IN).
- The award, which comes with a grant of Rs. 25 crore (USD 3 million) will enable QuBeats to build the next generation of high-precision quantum sensors.
Key Points:
i.The sensors promise accurate navigation in Global Positioning System (GPS)-denied or spoofed environments, a critical capability for modern operations.
ii.The sensors detect the Earth’s unique magnetic anomaly signatures, enabling navigation that is entirely independent of GPS systems, which are reliable by day or night, in any condition.
About Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE):
Director –G. Ramamohana Rao
Headquarters – Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra
Established – 1965
