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DEFEA 2025: Tata Advanced Systems Targets European Market with Long-Range Drones and WhAP Armoured Vehicle.
At the DEFEA 2025 exhibition in Athens, Greece, India’s Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) presents a comprehensive range of defence systems designed to strengthen land and aerial operational capabilities. The company’s presence at the event aims not only to display its latest technological systems but also to explore industrial cooperation opportunities with European partners, particularly in support of the Hellenic Armed Forces and NATO capability-building efforts.
The WhAP can be configured for various operational roles, including Infantry Fighting Vehicle, light tank, and Armoured Personnel Carrier (Picture source: Army Recognition)
One of the key systems on display is the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8x8, an amphibious vehicle developed to NATO standards and designed for multi-role adaptability. The WhAP can be configured for various operational roles, including Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), light tank, Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), reconnaissance or support vehicle, recovery and medical evacuation vehicle, and for missions requiring CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) protection.
It is powered by a 600-horsepower engine delivering up to 2400 Nm of torque between 1500 and 1700 rpm. The vehicle features an independent suspension system and a Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS), allowing mobility even with damaged tyres. Its internal layout accommodates up to 11 dismounted personnel in addition to the driver. Already in service with the Indian Army along the northern and eastern borders, the WhAP is also deployed by paramilitary units in areas affected by insurgency. The vehicle’s modular design enables adaptation to specific operational requirements.
Tata is also presenting two loitering munitions designed for long-range strike and surveillance missions. The ALS 250 offers a range of 250 kilometres, operates fully autonomously, and includes mission abort and safe recovery capabilities. It can be equipped with either an 8 kg high-explosive pre-fragmented (HEPF) warhead or an 8 kg tandem anti-armour warhead, depending on mission needs. The drone is equipped with a gyrostabilised EO/IR turret for all-weather, day-and-night operations.
The ALS 50, which served as the basis for the ALS 250, offers a range of 50 kilometres. It is also fully autonomous and incorporates vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. It carries a 5 kg HEPF warhead and is currently in operational service with the Indian Armed Forces. The platform received a Defence Innovation Award from the Indian Ministry of Defence. It can be launched from unprepared areas, providing enhanced tactical flexibility in degraded environments.
The ALS 250 offers a range of 250 kilometres, operates fully autonomously, and includes mission abort and safe recovery capabilities (Picture source: Army Recognition)
In the field of ground-based sensor systems, Tata is showcasing the Rajak ULR-25, a long-range observation platform equipped with multiple sensors mounted on a motorised panoramic turret. This system integrates thermal imaging, a laser rangefinder (LRF), GNSS navigation, and a daytime camera into a single unit. A Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) channel can be added for improved visibility through fog, smoke, or atmospheric obstructions. The Rajak ULR-25 enables human target recognition at 20 km and detection at 40 km. For vehicle-sized targets, recognition is possible up to 30 km and detection up to 60 km. It can be deployed in under 10 minutes, powered by a portable battery for up to 20 hours of autonomous operation, and mounted on a mast or tripod as needed. Rugged control stations with 19 or 21-inch displays enable field operation, with additional options such as automatic target tracking and motion detection.
Beyond the systems presented in Athens, Tata Advanced Systems is expanding its portfolio to include logistics vehicles, high-mobility platforms, armoured vehicles of various categories, and combat systems capable of carrying payloads from 800 kg to 130 tonnes. The company seeks to reinforce its industrial footprint in Europe, especially in Greece, by developing partnerships with local suppliers and addressing the operational requirements of the Hellenic Armed Forces and NATO allies.
Tata also offers a range of artillery systems, including towed and truck-mounted howitzers, rocket launchers, electronic warfare systems, radars, and advanced optronics. All systems are developed with full ownership of intellectual property and without dependency on foreign regulatory regimes such as the U.S. ITAR or Germany’s BAFA. This ensures operational flexibility, full customisation, and a high level of local content when entering into cooperation agreements.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is a key component of India’s defence and aerospace industrial base. Active in aerospace platforms, embedded systems, land mobility, and security technologies, TASL has established partnerships and joint ventures with leading global aerospace and defence companies. It plays an integral role in international supply chains and, in some cases, serves as a single-source global supplier. With capabilities spanning design, manufacturing, and final platform assembly, Tata delivers end-to-end solutions across a wide spectrum from satellites, missiles, and drones to radars, artillery, command and control systems, terrestrial sensors, and manned aircraft and helicopters.
Tata Advanced Systems’ presence at DEFEA 2025 underscores its intent to expand within European defence markets. With a flexible and proven product portfolio already fielded by Indian forces, the company seeks to intensify its cooperation with the Hellenic Armed Forces and NATO partners. The proliferation of its land and aerial systems may continue to grow, driven by a strategy based on industrial localisation, technology sovereignty, and tailored responses to the evolving requirements of modern military operations.
The ALS 50, which served as the basis for the ALS 250, offers a range of 50 kilometres (Picture source: Army Recognition)