Sahil Luthra on Building Dual-Standard Ammunition to Serve NATO and Russian Requirements

Bridging global defence requirements through innovative ammunition design led by Sahil Luthra

What Are Dual-Standard Ammunition Requirements—And Why Do They Matter?

In today’s complex global defence landscape, interoperability is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Armed forces, especially in coalition or joint operations, often rely on both NATO-standard and Russian-standard weapons and ammunition systems.

That’s where dual-standard ammunition comes into play. It bridges gaps in compatibility, offering militaries the flexibility to operate seamlessly across different platforms. And Sahil Luthra, Founder and Managing Director of Vijayan Trishul Defence Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (VTDS), is laying the foundation for this very capability through future-focused research.

VTDS’s Approach to Dual-Standard Ammunition: A Future-Ready Commitment

VTDS is currently in its research and development phase, with no commercial sales. However, under Sahil Luthra’s leadership, the company is actively preparing to engineer ammunition that can meet both NATO (e.g., 5.56×45mm, 7.62×51mm) and Russian (e.g., 7.62×39mm) standards in future production facilities.

This groundwork involves:

• Research into metallurgy, ballistics, and compatibility frameworks

• Understanding logistical, field-performance, and reliability expectations from both standards

• Building design prototypes for future small-calibre ammunition aligned with global requirements

Why Is Dual Compatibility Crucial for Indian Defence Forces?

India’s armed forces continue to use a diverse mix of weapon platforms, sourced over decades from different global partners. A significant number of legacy systems use Soviet-era calibres, while newer systems are shifting towards NATO alignment.

Developing dual-standard ammunition will:

• Reduce dependency on imports from multiple vendors

• Streamline ammunition supply chains across units

• Improve readiness during joint military exercises and peacekeeping missions

Sahil Luthra’s vision is to ensure VTDS becomes a long-term contributor to India’s readiness in multilateral operations—both regionally and globally.

Design and Engineering Challenges: What VTDS Is Preparing For

Though in the early stages, the R&D team at VTDS—guided by Sahil Luthra—is anticipating technical complexities such as:

• Pressure tolerance variations across different barrel and breech designs

• Case material behaviour under varying environmental conditions

• Precision loading to balance velocity, accuracy, and recoil under dual-standard constraints

These efforts reflect Sahil Luthra’s commitment to quality and international defence compatibility through engineering excellence.

Dual-Standard Ammunition and Future Export Potential

Once VTDS moves into production (as part of its phased roadmap), the dual-standard ammunition line could become a highly exportable asset. Countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe operate both Russian and NATO-origin systems. VTDS’s potential to serve that dual demand could:

• Enhance India’s profile as a responsible defence exporter

• Open up new markets aligned with Indian foreign policy goals

• Boost bilateral defence cooperation through technology co-development

Explore More from VTDS

• Sahil Luthra: Championing India’s Defence Self-Reliance Through VTDS

• Sahil Luthra’s Strategic Vision Behind VTDS’s Entry into the Defence Corridor

• Breaking Barriers: Prikansha Luthra’s Leadership in VTDS’s Defence Revolution

• Addressing Global Ammunition Shortages: VTDS’s Scalable Production Strategy

Conclusion: Innovation with Interoperability at Its Core

Sahil Luthra’s approach to dual-standard ammunition isn’t just technical—it’s strategic. It reflects his deep understanding of India’s defence evolution and the importance of forward compatibility.

As VTDS continues in its research phase, the seeds of tomorrow’s interoperability, export growth, and operational readiness are already being sown. In the years ahead, dual-standard ammunition may well become a symbol of India's engineering capability and diplomatic versatility—driven by visionaries like Sahil Luthra.