In a significant collaboration aimed at bolstering India’s defense capabilities, Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has joined forces with India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to introduce the Trophy Active Protection System (APS) for Indian military platforms. This agreement entails the local manufacturing of the system in India, integrating substantial Indian components, as confirmed by L&T.
Rafael’s CEO, Yoav Tourgeman, emphasized the importance of this partnership, describing it as a milestone for both companies. He highlighted that the collaboration will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces while also reaffirming their commitment to strengthening India’s defense manufacturing sector and its overall operational readiness.
The initiative emerges in response to an Indian Army Request for Information (RFI) concerning an APS intended for the Indian fleet of approximately 1,300 T-90S/SK ‘Bhishma’ main battle tanks. This request reflects an assessment of modern combat scenarios, particularly lessons gleaned from the ongoing war in Ukraine, where advanced weaponry such as first-person view attack drones and anti-tank missiles have shown the capacity to severely damage armored vehicles, including Russian tanks.
While the T-90 tanks are equipped with explosive reactive armor, recent advancements in tandem warhead technology—exemplified by Western missiles like the Javelin and the NLAW—pose a significant threat, as they can effectively penetrate this protective feature. In response, the Trophy system has been upgraded to include a top-attack defense capability, addressing vulnerabilities by countering threats from drones and missiles targeting the tank’s upper sections.
The RFI specifies a variety of requirements for the Trophy APS, including soft kill and hard kill capabilities as well as measures to counter unmanned aerial systems. The soft kill solutions are expected to encompass multi-spectral smoke grenades and electro-optical/infrared jammers, while hard kill mechanisms will involve kinetic countermeasures.
Additionally, the Indian Army has opened avenues for foreign manufacturers to collaborate with indigenous partners for the production of the Trophy system. Arun Ramchandani, Senior Vice President and Head of L&T Precision Engineering & Systems, articulated the significance of this partnership between Rafael and L&T, referring to it as a customized solution for Indian combat platforms, underscoring the commitment to local manufacturing and sustainment capabilities. He conveyed confidence that this APS will enhance the survivability of current and future combat platforms for the Indian Armed Forces, marking a proactive step in fortifying India’s defense infrastructure.
