SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a leading Indian aerospace and defence company, made a strong impression at the DEFEA 2025 exhibition in Athens, Greece, with its flagship Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8 and advanced loitering munitions, including the ALS-50 and the newly developed ALS-250. Seshadri Srinivasan, Head of Land Mobility at TASL, confirmed that the Greek military has expressed keen interest in the WhAP 8×8 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), which was prominently showcased at the event.
Alongside the WhAP, TASL highlighted its cutting-edge loitering munitions, including the battle-tested ALS-50 and the long-range ALS-250, designed for surveillance and precision strikes in challenging terrains like the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This display underscores India’s growing prowess in defence manufacturing and its ambition to expand into the European market under the Make in India initiative.
The WhAP 8×8, also known as the Kestrel, is an indigenous amphibious infantry combat vehicle developed in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Designed for versatility, the WhAP can serve as an Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) or APC, accommodating up to 12 soldiers and supporting a range of weapon systems, including 30mm autocannons, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and remote-controlled weapon stations. Its modular design allows for quick adaptation to diverse mission requirements, such as reconnaissance, troop transport, and direct combat, while its amphibious capabilities and independent suspension system ensure mobility across harsh terrains, including deserts, mountains, and water obstacles.
The WhAP’s advanced features, including protection against 14.5mm armour-piercing rounds and optional slat or composite armour for enhanced survivability against RPGs and IEDs, make it a formidable choice for modern armed forces. Already in service with the Indian Army along its northern and eastern borders and deployed by paramilitary units in insurgency-affected areas, the WhAP has proven its durability through rigorous trials in extreme conditions, including high-altitude tests in Ladakh and desert trials in Rajasthan’s Pokhran range. Srinivasan highlighted the Greek military’s interest in the platform, noting its alignment with Greece’s need for multi-role vehicles capable of operating in diverse terrains, a priority for modernizing its ground forces.
TASL also showcased its advanced loitering munitions at DEFEA 2025, drawing significant attention for their proven effectiveness and innovative design. The ALS-50, a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) loitering munition, has already been inducted into the Indian Army and Air Force, with successful trials in high-altitude regions like Ladakh and combat operations against Pakistan. With a range of over 50 kilometers and a payload capacity of up to 6 kilograms, the ALS-50 offers autonomous targeting, anti-jamming capabilities, and precision strikes with an accuracy of less than two meters. Its VTOL capability enables operations in confined spaces, such as narrow valleys and fortified mountain positions, making it ideal for tactical engagements.
The star of TASL’s display was the ALS-250, a long-range autonomous loitering munition designed for high-altitude operations and strategic missions. With a range exceeding 250 kilometers, the ALS-250 is tailored for challenging environments like the LAC, where India faces advanced threats from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Equipped with a gyrostabilised EO/IR turret for all-weather, day-and-night operations, the ALS-250 can carry an 8 kg high-explosive pre-fragmented (HEPF) or tandem anti-armour warhead, offering flexibility for anti-personnel or anti-tank missions. Its autonomous functionality, mission abort, and safe recovery capabilities enhance its reliability in contested environments, ensuring effectiveness even in GPS-jammed scenarios.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.