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Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment

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Combat Vehicle Research & Development Establishment
EstablishedMarch 1976
Field of research
Vehicle Research
DirectorBalamurugan V[1]
AddressAvadi, Chennai-600 054
LocationAvadi, Chennai
Operating agency
DRDO
WebsiteCVRDE Home Page

Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Located at Avadi, in Chennai, India. It is the main DRDO lab involved in the development of armoured fighting vehicles, Tanks, Automotive electronics and many other.

History

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After the Independence of India, the Chief Inspectorate of Mechanical Transport Establishment (MTE), which was previously located in Chaklala, Pakistan, was moved to Ahmednagar. It was later renamed as Vehicle Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahmednagar.

In 1965, the Heavy Vehicles Factory under the Ordnance Factory Board was set up at Avadi to manufacture Vijayanta Tanks. A detachment of VRDE was established there to provide R&D support. In March 1976, the VRDE detachment at Avadi was split off from VRDE and re-designated as Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), as an independent DRDO laboratory responsible for Research & Development of Armoured Fighting Vehicles.[2]

During CVRDE's Golden Jubilee in 2024, it was noted by Indian government officials that CVRDE should lend a greater focus on innovation emerging trends in the overall defence industry.[3]

Areas of Work

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CVRDE has been tasked with the design, development and testing of tracked combat vehicles and specialized tracked vehicles. It has also designed certain aircraft subsystems, mainly related to the engine and hydraulics. Like many DRDO labs, it also develops civilian technologies based on spin-offs of the defence related products developed by it. It has recently started developing Unmanned Ground Vehicles of the tracked category.[4]

Projects and Products

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CVRDE is the main research lab responsible for the development of the Arjun MBT, 248 of which have been ordered by the Indian Army. It has also developed the Tank-EX, Bhim Self Propelled Artillery, based on the Arjun Chassis, and the Combat Improved Ajeya, an upgrade of the Indian Army's T-72 Tanks.[5]

Apart from these, CVRDE has also developed other combat and Engineering Vehicles, like Armored Cars, Bridge-layer Tanks, Armoured Recovery Vehicles[6] and a Mortar Carrier based on the BMP-2 chassis.

CVRDE is also working on many technologies related to Armoured Fighting vehicles. CVRDE has a division dedicated to development of Automatic transmissions for Armored Fighting Vehicles. It has developed transmissions of various power ranges viz. 1500, 800, 150 hp. It has developed various subsystems of transmission like torque converter, Fluid coupling and retarder, Steering units, Final drives etc. Muntra, India's first ever unmanned armored vehicle was developed here.

CVRDE has also developed the Zorawar LT light tank which, as of 2024, has completed live-fire trials and is also expected to undertake limited user testing in the same year.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "New director for CVRDE". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 1 May 2018.
  2. ^ "DRDO". DRDO. 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  3. ^ Ayyappan, V. (16 May 2024). "'Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment should focus more on innovation'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Call to develop landing gear for aircraft". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 12 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Prime Minister presents DRDO Awards – 2009". Press Information Bureau, Mumbai. 26 May 2010.
  6. ^ "CVRDE developing new repair and recovery vehicle for Army". IBN Live. Chennai, India. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012.
  7. ^ Eshel, Tamir (19 September 2024). "India's Light Tank Zorawar LT Completes Trial by Fire". Retrieved 3 November 2024.
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