In a rapidly evolving global defence landscape, homegrown innovation has never been more critical for India’s strategic autonomy. At the forefront of this movement is Sahil Luthra, the visionary Founder and CEO of Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions (VTDS).
In this exclusive interview, Luthra shares the inspiration behind VTDS, his mission to redefine indigenous defence manufacturing, and how the company is blending cutting-edge technology with operational expertise to empower India’s defence forces. From AI and IoT integration to aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, VTDS is positioning itself as a game-changer in modern warfare solutions.
1. What inspired the inception of VTDS, and how does your company differentiate itself in the highly competitive defence manufacturing sector?
VTDS was born out of a desire to make a real difference in India’s defence sector by focusing on advanced, locally produced solutions. What makes us stand out is our blend of cutting-edge technology, hands-on expertise from veterans of the armed forces, and our deep commitment to creating products that meet real operational needs while supporting India’s journey towards greater self-reliance.
2. What key technologies or defence capabilities does VTDS primarily focus on, and how do you tailor your solutions to meet the operational demands of modern warfare?
At VTDS, we’re focused on manufacturing advanced small ammunition and eventually expanding into small arms and larger calibre ammunition. Our goal is to create solutions that are both precise and reliable, built on a foundation of expertise from global defence professionals. We’re also laying the groundwork to integrate emerging technologies into our products, ensuring that we stay in step with modern warfare demands.
3. How does VTDS support India’s defence preparedness while also promoting indigenous innovation and self-reliance under the ‘Make in India’ initiative?
We’re fully aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative, focusing on creating indigenous solutions that reduce dependence on foreign imports. By building everything from the ground up in India, we’re not just contributing to national security — we’re also helping foster innovation and self-reliance in the defence industry.
4. In the current era of rapidly evolving combat technologies, how is VTDS integrating AI, IoT, and automation to stay ahead of global defence trends?
While we’re in the early stages of our journey, we’re already planning to bring in AI, IoT, and automation from the start. These technologies will help us ensure better quality control, real-time monitoring, and more efficient production as we build out our capabilities, so we’re ready for the next generation of combat technologies.
5. What are the top three trends you foresee shaping the defence sector in the next 3–5 years, and how is VTDS preparing to lead and innovate within this dynamic environment?
We see three major trends: increased demand for local production, the rise of AI and smart technologies, and the shift towards multi-domain operations. At VTDS, we’re preparing to stay ahead by building infrastructure that’s flexible and scalable, forming strong partnerships for technological advancements, and making sure we’re always ready to adapt to new challenges.
