Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to locally manufacture and supply the Trophy Active Protection System (APS) for Indian defense platforms. The announcement was made during Aero India 2025, underscoring India’s growing focus on equipping its armored forces with modern protection systems against evolving battlefield threats.
The partnership will customize the latest variant of Trophy APS for current and future armored combat vehicles in the Indian Army, L&T’s Senior Vice President and Head of Precision Engineering & Systems, Arun Ramchandani, stated. With the lessons learned from recent conflicts, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the need for an effective APS to counter advanced anti-tank threats has become a critical requirement for the Indian Army.
Developed by Rafael, Trophy APS has gained recognition as one of the most effective active protection systems globally. It provides a multi-layered defense mechanism to armored vehicles, countering threats from anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), loitering munitions, and top-attack weapons like the Javelin and NLAW missiles.
The Trophy system integrates four ELTA EL/M-2133 F/G band radar antennas, offering 360-degree coverage for real-time threat detection. Electro-optical sensors further enhance situational awareness and target identification. The system can engage incoming threats with both soft-kill and hard-kill countermeasures:
- Soft-Kill: The system can deploy electronic jamming, decoys, and smoke grenades to disrupt enemy targeting.
- Hard-Kill: Trophy launches explosively formed projectiles (EFPs) from rotating launchers to intercept and destroy incoming threats before they can strike the vehicle.
An automated reloading system enables Trophy to engage multiple threats simultaneously, and its smart threat discrimination minimizes unnecessary activations, preserving countermeasures for actual threats.
Initially deployed on Israeli Merkava Mk 4 tanks in 2011, the earlier versions of Trophy APS were designed to counter direct-fire threats but lacked protection against drones and top-attack ATGMs. Recognizing these vulnerabilities, Rafael unveiled an upgraded version in October 2024, enhancing Trophy’s capability to counter modern top-attack and aerial threats.
Rafael claims a 90% effectiveness rate for Trophy APS, making it one of the most battle-proven systems available. The upgraded Trophy APS is now equipped to defend against a wider range of threats, making it highly relevant for the Indian Army’s needs.
India operates a large fleet of main battle tanks (MBTs), including:
- 126 Arjun Mk 1 tanks
- Over 1,200 T-90S tanks
- Approximately 2,400 T-72M tanks in various modifications
At present, none of these tanks are equipped with an active protection system (APS). Instead, they rely on passive protection measures, such as:
- Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor (ERA)
- Kanchan composite armor (on the Arjun and some T-90S tanks)
- Smoke screen systems
The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the limitations of passive protection, with modern anti-tank weapons—including drones, precision-guided artillery shells, and top-attack missiles—posing a serious threat to armored vehicles. The vulnerability of Russian T-72 and T-90 tanks in the Ukraine conflict has raised concerns about the survivability of similar tanks in the Indian Army.
Recognizing the urgent need for better protection, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) initiated efforts to acquire an APS in 2021. The MoD issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for 818 modular APS systems for its T-90S/SK tanks, requiring a system with:
- Soft-Kill Capabilities: Smoke grenades, infrared jamming, and warnings against laser targeting.
- Hard-Kill Capabilities: Interception of RPGs, ATGMs, and HEAT rounds with 90% effectiveness.
However, at the time, top-attack threats and drones were not a primary concern. In light of battlefield lessons from Ukraine, the Indian Army has now updated its requirements to explicitly include countermeasures against top-attack missiles and drones.
The Indian Army’s T-90S and T-90SK tanks are powered by V-84MS 840 hp diesel engines, with a top speed of 60 km/h on roads. Some units have been retrofitted with V-92S2 1,000 hp engines for improved performance. Protection includes:
- Composite Armor – The first line of defense.
- Kontakt-5 ERA – Reduces penetration from APFSDS and HEAT rounds.
- Shtora-1 Countermeasures Suite – Includes infrared dazzlers and laser warning systems.
However, Shtora-1 lacks hard-kill capabilities and is outdated compared to modern APS. Russia has introduced the Arena-M APS for its latest T-90M tanks, but India has yet to adopt an equivalent system.
While Rafael’s Trophy APS is a strong contender for India’s APS procurement, other options are also under consideration:
1. Arena-M (Russia)
- Russia’s latest APS for the T-90M.
- Includes hard-kill countermeasures for ATGMs and RPGs.
- Recently ordered by Russia in August 2024.
- Unproven against drones and top-attack missiles.
2. Afghanit APS (Russia)
- Developed for the T-14 Armata.
- Designed before the Ukraine war, lacks drone defense.
- Requires upgrades to counter modern threats.
3. Indigenous APS (India)
- Developed by DRDO for the T-90.
- Still in early development, with testing expected in late 2025 or early 2026.
- Long-term solution but not immediately available.
Trophy APS holds key advantages:
- Battlefield-Proven: Successfully used by Israel and the U.S. Army on Abrams tanks.
- Advanced Threat Detection: 360-degree radar and EO sensors.
- Proven Hard-Kill System: High success rate in intercepting threats.
- Modular Variants: Can be adapted for different platforms, including light tanks.
Additionally, Trophy APS can be integrated into India’s upcoming Zorawar light tank, making it a versatile solution for a range of armored platforms.
The MoU between L&T and Rafael is a strategic step towards localizing the production of APS technology. With a vast fleet of tanks requiring upgrades, domestic production ensures cost-effectiveness, rapid deployment, and self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
The collaboration aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers while strengthening the country’s defense industry.
With modern battlefields demanding advanced protection systems, the Indian Army is under pressure to fast-track APS procurement. Given its combat-proven capabilities and updated drone and top-attack defenses, Trophy APS emerges as a frontrunner. However, the competition with Russian APS systems and DRDO’s indigenous development remains an important factor.
As India moves forward, a dual approach—acquiring proven foreign APS like Trophy for immediate deployment while continuing indigenous development for long-term self-sufficiency—appears to be the most pragmatic solution.
L&T’s partnership with Rafael marks a significant milestone in India’s defense modernization efforts. With evolving threats on the battlefield, the Indian Army is prioritizing active protection systems to ensure its armored forces remain resilient. Whether Trophy APS is ultimately selected or not, one thing is clear: the era of passive protection is over, and active defense systems are now indispensable for modern armored warfare.
