**"The newly developed advanced armour is 20 per cent lighter than the current system, matching global standards in this sector."**

That is how a senior DRDO scientist describes new armour panels built by the R&DE(E) lab in Pune for India's future main battle tanks, light tanks and infantry combat vehicles.

The panels have been tested to stop 30 mm armour-piercing rounds (the STANAG-6 level), and DRDO has offered the technology to Indian companies, with three manufacturing licences on offer. Several leading firms have shown interest.

**Less weight means more mobile, more fuel-efficient armoured vehicles that are easier to transport.**