DRDO Develops 20% Lighter Indigenous Armour Panels for Indian Army Combat Vehicles
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed indigenous armour panels that are 20 percent lighter than existing systems while still meeting protection requirements against 30 mm armour-piercing ammunition, according to officials. The panels, created by the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) [R&DE(E)] in Pune, are being positioned for use on future main battle tanks, light tanks and Future Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICVs).
A senior DRDO scientist said the new armour “is 20% lighter than the current system, matching global standards in this sector.” The panels have already undergone in-house testing and have met the force’s operational requirements internally, the official said. R&DE(E) has now offered the technology to private industry through the Transfer of Technology (ToT) route, and several major companies have shown interest.
The panels are designed to meet STANAG 4569 Level 6 protection standards against 30 mm AP threats. STANAG 4569 is a NATO benchmark that sets protection levels for military vehicles. Level 6 is intended to withstand high-velocity 30 mm armour-piercing ammunition, including APFSDS variants in some classifications, at a reference distance of 500 metres, chiefly on frontal arcs, in addition to associated artillery fragmentation threats.
The development comes against a broader background in which weight has become a central design constraint for armoured vehicles. Traditional steel armour can offer similar protection, but the penalty is substantial: higher vehicle mass places greater strain on engines and suspension systems, while also affecting mobility, fuel efficiency and strategic transportability. In response, vehicle manufacturers worldwide have increasingly turned to composite materials, ceramics and layered armour architectures to improve the protection-to-weight ratio.
DRDO officials said the new panels are intended to address these practical battlefield requirements as armoured platforms face a growing mix of threats, including armour-piercing ammunition, anti-tank guided missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, mines, improvised explosive devices and drones. The lighter armour is particularly relevant for light tanks and infantry combat vehicles that must operate across varied terrain, including high-altitude areas.
An Army officer noted that the system is especially relevant in mountainous sectors, where tanks are already used extensively. “It adds a new dimension to mountain warfare and it provides advantage to armoured troops operationally,” the officer said. The reduction in weight also gives designers more room to add sensors, active protection systems and electronics without crossing vehicle weight limits.
The technology was formally listed for industry transfer around October 1, 2026, under DRDO’s Category A ToT programme. Three manufacturing licences are available. Such transfer packages typically include the bill of materials, manufacturing process, quality assurance plan and test details, enabling private industry to take the technology from development to production.
No vehicle programme has yet formally selected the armour panels, but the development is relevant to platforms such as the Zorawar light tank as well as future FICV and MBT projects. The next phase will involve industrial production and evaluation for specific vehicle applications.
The work also fits into DRDO’s wider effort to reduce India’s dependence on imported protection systems and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing. R&DE(E) has previously developed related composite and ceramic armour and hull technologies for next-generation infantry combat vehicles, with an emphasis on lowering weight, reducing signatures and enabling modular protection.
For the Indian Army’s mechanised forces, the development is aimed at supporting platforms that are lighter, more mobile and still sufficiently protected for a range of operational environments.
