DRDO’s Vehicles Research and Development Establishment at Ahilyanagar has officially recognised Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI) as a partner of choice to armour the Vikram VT21 indigenously developed infantry combat vehicles. Vikram VT21, also known as the Advanced Armoured Platform, is a family of eight-wheeled and tracked armoured fighting vehicles developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with other industry partners.
CUMI was felicitated by GRM Rao, Director of the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) during the recent event held in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra when Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) & Chairman, DRDO flagged off the Vikram VT21 prototypes.
CUMI will supply its engineered ceramic composite panels to fortify these Advanced Armoured Platforms in line with STANAG 2 & 3 protection levels. Once commercialised, every Vikram VT21 vehicle will be equipped with around 300 customised panels that will safeguard its front and hull from armour piercing projectiles.
Subbu Venkatachalam, Head of Defence & Aerospace, Carborundum Universal Limited, stated, “Our patented armour panels are custom-made for indigenous defence combat vehicles, while meeting stringent global standards. Given our expertise in advanced materials, world-class manufacturing setup and fully backward integrated operations, we have been able to successfully design and develop armour for soldiers and vehicles entirely in India, right from the raw material stage. Our commitment is to protect maximum lives on the frontline through our advanced material engineering solutions.”
In January 2026, CUMI became one of the first Indian manufacturers to qualify its entire powder-to-product advanced ceramics portfolio for body armour and vehicle armour across NIJ, BIS and STANAG 4569 protection standards.
In October 2024, DRDO-DMRL had signed a Transfer of Technology agreement with CUMI to manufacture lightweight composite armour panels for armoured vehicles such as the WhAP 8×8. India’s first indigenous amphibious wheeled infantry combat vehicle, the 8×8’s global design philosophy enables it to fulfil diverse roles for the military since its design is modular, scalable, and can be easily reconfigured.
The add-on armour composite panels are designed with customised ceramic segments. This is reinforced with an impact-, UV- and weather-resistant metallic mother plate. The segments, made of high-end technical ceramic grade of CUMI’s Zirconia Toughened Alumina, have been tested and qualified by DRDO-DMRL.
CUMI-DRDO collaborations for rapid strides in defence
Through its long-term association with DRDO and other defence organisations, CUMI has jointly developed cutting-edge materials and technology that offers frontline protection for Indian defence prototypes. This includes high-performance, lightweight, ceramic armour optimised for better mobility and manoeuvrability across terrains, improved ballistic protection through precision engineering, as well as impact, corrosion and extreme weather resistance.
CUMI is also exploring closer technology collaborations with DRDO to develop next generation armour materials for superior protection against increasingly higher threat levels, and for future aerospace and defence electronics applications.
With significant investments in R&D and capacity expansion, the company is strengthening the sector’s capability to innovate in India not only by bridging supply gaps but also by harnessing the best talent to make globally-benchmarked materials available at scale for Indian defence manufacturers.
About Carborundum Universal Limited
Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI), established as a tripartite joint venture in 1954, is a leading materials sciences engineering solutions provider. CUMI’s consolidated sales is Rs. 4833 crores and PAT of Rs. 298 crores for the financial year 2025. CUMI, part of the 120-year-old Murugappa Group, is listed on the NSE and BSE. CUMI is a Mines to Market Company whose integrated operations include mining, power generation, fusion, manufacturing, marketing and distribution. CUMI has over 5,500 employees worldwide who collaborate, innovate and develop high-quality material solutions and world-class services in abrasives, electrominerals, ceramics, refractories and energy storage materials, serving customers in diverse industries including engineering, fabrication, auto and auto components, infrastructure, steel, glass, power generation and distribution, mining and aerospace. CUMI has a wide geographical presence spanning six continents and exports products to over 50 countries.
