India Develops Indigenous Composite Armour to Protect Military Vehicles from Drone and Modern Battlefield Threats

New Delhi, July 2026 : As modern warfare undergoes a dramatic transformation driven by the widespread use of low-cost drones, precision-guided missiles and loitering munitions, militaries across the world are racing to strengthen the protection of their frontline armoured vehicles. Traditional main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers, once considered the backbone of ground warfare, are increasingly vulnerable to inexpensive yet highly effective aerial threats, particularly first-person view (FPV) drones and top-attack anti-tank weapons.

Against this backdrop, India has developed an advanced indigenous composite armour system that could significantly enhance the survivability of its military vehicles. The newly developed technology, known as the Maharana Pratap Singh Composite Armour, has successfully completed key field evaluations conducted by the Indian Army and is now being considered for integration across a range of combat platforms.

The innovative armour system has been developed by researchers at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham under the leadership of Professor Dr. Shantanu Bhowmik in collaboration with Mumbai-based ACE Gas Conversions Pvt. Ltd. The project represents nearly a decade of research focused on advanced hybrid composite materials capable of providing high levels of protection while maintaining vehicle mobility.

Unlike conventional steel armour, which significantly increases the weight of military vehicles, the indigenous composite solution is designed to be lightweight without compromising protection. This allows tanks and armoured vehicles to retain their speed, manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency while improving their ability to withstand attacks from modern battlefield weapons.

The new armour has been specifically engineered to counter a broad spectrum of emerging threats, including drone-dropped explosives, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ballistic projectiles, blast waves and fragmentation from powerful explosions. These threats have become increasingly common in conflicts across the world, where inexpensive drones have demonstrated the ability to destroy multi-million-dollar tanks using relatively low-cost munitions.

One of the most promising applications of the composite material is its use in protective overhead structures commonly referred to as “cope cages.” These cage-like frameworks are mounted above the turret of tanks to intercept top-attack munitions before they strike the vehicle’s comparatively thin roof armour. FPV drones carrying explosive payloads and top-attack anti-tank missiles typically target this vulnerable section of tanks, making additional overhead protection increasingly essential.

During tactical evaluations conducted in 2025, Brigadier Subhankar Sengupta of the Indian Army’s Jhansi formation advocated testing the composite material as part of drone-defence shields installed on armoured vehicles. The trials demonstrated that the lightweight composite panels could be integrated with existing military platforms without requiring extensive modifications, making the technology suitable for rapid deployment.

The armour’s development also underwent extensive scientific validation under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence. Among the most significant assessments were blast survivability trials carried out at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh. These tests exposed the composite panels to intense blast pressures and high-velocity fragments generated by explosive devices to determine their ability to protect military personnel and equipment.

Even before the field trials, the project had attracted attention from India’s defence establishment. In September 2023, the research team presented the technology during a high-level defence review held at Amrita University’s Coimbatore campus. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and various national security agencies. The innovation received encouraging feedback and support from senior defence officials, including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The pace of testing increased significantly in January 2026, when Brigadier Sumit Rawat of the White Tiger Division organised operational validation exercises using actual composite armour panels supplied by the university. These field trials evaluated how the material performed under realistic combat conditions, including battlefield deployment, installation challenges and resistance to explosive impacts.

More recently, the Indian Army’s 31 Armoured Division conducted comprehensive testing at the Babina Field Firing Ranges in Uttar Pradesh. During the evaluation, a one-metre by one-metre composite armour plate weighing approximately 110 kilograms was subjected to a simulated battlefield blast involving both high explosives and lethal fragmentation.

According to Major General Mandeep Singh, General Officer Commanding of the 31 Armoured Division, the armour plate successfully absorbed the blast impact and demonstrated impressive resistance against explosive forces. He noted that the technology has considerable potential to enhance the protection of military vehicles and personnel against IEDs, heavy explosions and other battlefield threats.

Apart from blast resistance, the Maharana Pratap Singh Composite Armour also offers effective protection against small-arms fire, including rounds fired from AK-203 assault rifles and light machine guns. Researchers say the material possesses soundproofing characteristics as well, making it suitable not only for armoured vehicles but also for military bunkers, forward operating bases, command centres and other critical defence infrastructure.

The versatility of the composite system could enable its deployment across multiple branches of the armed forces, supporting both offensive and defensive operations. Its lightweight design also reduces logistical challenges associated with transporting and installing traditional heavy armour systems.

Professor Bhowmik explained that the decision to name the technology after the legendary Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap reflects the qualities of courage, resilience and battlefield endurance that the armour is intended to embody. The project also highlights the growing role of collaboration between Indian academic institutions, private industry and the armed forces in developing indigenous defence technologies.

As warfare continues to evolve with the increasing use of drones and precision-guided weapons, innovations such as the Maharana Pratap Singh Composite Armour could play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s military assets. The successful field trials mark an important milestone in the country’s drive towards defence self-reliance and demonstrate how indigenous research can address emerging challenges on the modern battlefield.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)