In an exclusive interaction with Sahil Luthra, Director and Managing Director of Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions (VTDS), shares the company’s bold vision of transforming India’s defence landscape. Under his leadership, VTDS is emerging as a key force in the country’s journey toward self-reliance in arms, ammunition, and strategic technologies. With a strong commitment to innovation, indigenisation, and national priorities like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Luthra offers insights into VTDS’s evolution, its breakthrough ambitions, and the roadmap ahead in redefining India’s defence capabilities.
1. VTDS has carved a niche in India’s defence ecosystem. What was the original vision behind its founding, and how has that evolved over time?
Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions (VTDS) was founded with a singular vision: to contribute meaningfully to India’s defence self-reliance particularly in the domain of arms, ammunition, and strategic defence technologies. The aim was not just to build systems, but to cultivate a future-ready defence ecosystem rooted in strategic autonomy and national pride. Over time, this vision has evolved to embrace a broader mission – bridging critical capability gaps, supporting domestic manufacturing, and aligning deeply with national goals like Atmanirbhar Bharat. Today, VTDS stands as a catalyst for change, steering defence innovation with purpose, agility, and long-term commitment.
2. As a homegrown defence tech company, how does VTDS balance innovation, affordability, and indigenisation in a sector dominated by global giants?
Balancing these elements is central to our long-term vision as we continue to build and strengthen our capabilities. We are currently focused on researching and conceptualising technologies that are relevant, scalable, and aligned with India’s evolving defence priorities. Affordability is being factored into our planning stage through early design considerations, potential local ecosystem engagement, and strategic discussions aimed at optimising long-term lifecycle costs. Indigenisation remains at the core of our approach, guiding every aspect of our ongoing research, capability-building, and future development roadmap.
3. Can you share a breakthrough product or solution developed by VTDS that you believe has the potential to redefine modern warfare or national security strategy?
Our primary focus is on the manufacturing of small arms, ammunition systems, and related technologies. While we are currently in the preparatory and capability-building phase, we believe that these solutions, once fully developed and executed, have strong potential to contribute to India’s defence preparedness by enhancing operational efficiency, improving accuracy, and strengthening the country’s long-term self-reliance in critical defence segments.
4. With India’s push for self-reliance under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, what role does VTDS see itself playing in strengthening the country’s defence preparedness?
VTDS sees itself as a strategic enabler of the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. We are actively laying the foundation for indigenous R&D and future manufacturing capabilities while contributing to the development of talent and specialised expertise in the emerging defence sector. Our aim is to localise critical technologies and contribute to India’s long-term goal of reducing reliance on imported defence systems. By steadily building core capabilities, VTDS remains committed to supporting India’s defence preparedness through homegrown solutions.
5. Looking ahead, what are your strategic priorities, are you focused on deeper R&D, expanding global partnerships, or scaling your current product offerings?
Our immediate priority is to build a strong foundation for indigenous manufacturing in small arms and ammunition, supported by robust R&D and technical validation processes. We are also exploring strategic partnerships and collaborations that can support our long-term objectives, enhance capabilities, and contribute to technology development. As we progress, our focus remains on aligning future production efforts with national defence priorities and contributing to India’s self-reliance in critical defence segments.
