BEML Limited, a “Schedule A” public sector enterprise under India’s Ministry of Defence, has signed three pivotal licensing agreements with DRDO’s Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE) to locally produce advanced support vehicles for the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps. Under newly signed agreements with DRDO’s Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), BEML Limited will take on the indigenous production of three critical support systems for the Indian Army’s Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT). These include the Unit Maintenance Vehicle (UMV), designed to provide on-site repair and recovery support during operations, and the Unit Repair Vehicle (URV), which enables deeper mechanical and electrical servicing in forward deployment zones. Both platforms are essential for maintaining combat readiness and reducing downtime for the Armoured Corps.
In addition to these, BEML will also manufacture a specialized full trailer designed for transporting 70-tonne tanks and heavy military equipment. This trailer features hydraulic suspension and steerable axles, ensuring safe and efficient mobility across varied terrain. These developments not only enhance battlefield logistics but also reflect a major step forward in localized defence production capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The formal signing ceremony for the licensing agreements was held on June 7, 2025, at VRDE’s facility in Ahmednagar. The event was attended by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, alongside Sanjay Som, Director of Mining & Construction at BEML. The collaboration reinforces BEML’s expanding role in defence manufacturing and its ongoing partnership with DRDO to strengthen India’s military self-reliance.
Shantanu Roy, Chairman & Managing Director of BEML, stated: “This collaboration is a milestone in strengthening the Indian Army’s operational capabilities with next-generation indigenous solutions, fully aligned with the Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.”
These agreements mark a significant stride toward self-reliant defence manufacturing, reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy in critical armoured mobility and support systems. The UMV, URV, and high-capacity transporter trailers play a key role in enhancing battlefield readiness and armoured vehicle uptime.
Established in 1964, BEML Ltd is a premier defence and heavy engineering PSU headquartered in Bengaluru. Operating across Defence & Aerospace, Mining & Construction, and Rail & Metro, BEML is a core contributor to India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, with manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kolar Gold Fields, and Palakkad
