India's ₹9,000 Crore Active Protection System Tender Set to Shake Up Global Defence Landscape

India's ambitious ₹9,000 crore Active Protection System tender is set to shake up the global defence landscape, with the potential to enhance the survivability of the country's armoured fleet. The Defence Acquisition Council's approval for the procurement of Active Protection Systems (APS) for India's Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) marks a significant step in modernising the country's defence capabilities.

The programme is expected to attract top defence companies from around the world, including Larsen & Toubro and Saab, which are already making their presence felt in the market. The Israeli Trophy Active Protection System, currently regarded as one of the world's most combat-proven APS solutions, is expected to be a major contender in the tender.

Trophy has been operationally deployed by the Israel Defense Forces for over a decade and has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to intercept incoming anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades in combat. The system uses a network of radar sensors to detect incoming threats before launching interceptor projectiles that destroy or deflect them before impact.

The requirement for Active Protection Systems has become increasingly urgent as battlefield threats evolve. Traditional passive armour, while still important, is no longer sufficient against modern anti-tank guided missiles featuring tandem warheads, top-attack profiles and precision guidance. The rapid proliferation of armed drones and loitering munitions has added another dimension to armoured warfare, forcing militaries worldwide to invest in layered defensive systems capable of detecting, tracking and neutralising multiple incoming threats simultaneously.

Modern APS solutions combine radar, electro-optical sensors, high-speed computers and automated countermeasures to provide this additional layer of protection. Once an incoming threat is detected, the system calculates its trajectory within milliseconds and either launches an interceptor to destroy it or activates electronic countermeasures to break its guidance lock.

Beyond improving crew survivability, APS significantly enhances battlefield endurance by allowing tanks to continue fighting after surviving attacks that would otherwise disable or destroy them. For India, the programme is expected to benefit multiple armoured platforms, including the Army's T-90 Bhishma, upgraded T-72 Ajeya fleet and potentially future variants of the Arjun Main Battle Tank.

The procurement also aligns with India's broader effort to enhance indigenous defence manufacturing. Even if a foreign APS is selected, the government is expected to emphasise technology transfer, local manufacturing and lifecycle support within India under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

Similar localisation requirements have become standard across major defence acquisition programmes in recent years. The ₹9,000 crore programme is therefore expected to be about much more than acquiring protection systems. It offers an opportunity to establish domestic capabilities in radar technology, high-speed sensors, interceptor munitions, electronic warfare and integrated vehicle survivability systems.

Once the global tender is released, competition is likely to focus not only on interception performance but also on weight, integration with existing tanks, reliability, ease of maintenance, indigenous content and lifecycle costs. The outcome of this tender will have far-reaching implications for India's defence capabilities, with the potential to establish domestic capabilities in radar technology, high-speed sensors, and integrated vehicle survivability systems.

The world is watching as the competition unfolds, with several Western manufacturers, including British and Russian defence companies, expected to evaluate participation once the tender is formally issued. The outcome of this tender will be a game-changer in the global defence landscape, with the potential to enhance the survivability of India's armoured fleet and establish domestic capabilities in radar technology and integrated vehicle survivability systems.

The stage is set for a major upgrade in India's armoured fleet, with the Defence Acquisition Council's approval for the procurement of Active Protection Systems. The world will be watching as the competition unfolds, with several leading defence companies expected to participate with cutting-edge solutions. The outcome of this tender will have far-reaching implications for India's defence capabilities, with the potential to establish domestic capabilities in radar technology, high-speed sensors, and integrated vehicle survivability systems.