The Indian Army will deploy 464 Russian-origin T-90 battle tanks in its 67 armoured regiments to strengthen its capabilities, the Defence Ministry sources said.
The Indian Army will deploy 464 Russian-origin upgraded T-90 ‘Bhishma’ main-battle tanks of worth Rs. 13,448 crore during 2022-2026. The move is aimed at strengthening its “shock and awe” capabilities and combat prowess along the border with Pakistan.
According to a Times of India report, the tanks will soon be produced by Avadi Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF). This factory works under the Ordnance Factory Board. The move has come after the cabinet committee on security cleared the license acquisition from Russia a month ago.
The Army already has 1,070 T-90 tanks, 124 ‘Arjun’, and 2,400 older T-72 tanks in its 67 armoured regiments. The first 657 T-90 tanks were imported from Russia for Rs 8,525 crore from 2001 onwards. Later, additionally 1,000 of such tanks were progressively licensed and produced by HVF using Russian kits. “There were some delays in the indent for the remaining 464 tanks, which will also have night-fighting capabilities. Once it is done, the first 64 tanks should be delivered in 30-41 months”, TOI quoted a source.
The Army is re-formatting its entire war-fighting machinery and the “Cold start” or “Pro-Active Strategy”. This predicts fast mobilisation to strike hard across the border with multiple offensive thrusts, the report added.
India has already procured additional laser-guided Invar missiles. Besides, it has 125mm APFSDS (armour piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot) ammunition for the T-90 tanks. However, the Army’s “future ready combat vehicle (FRCV)” project is yet to take off. “The Army had planned their induction from 2027-2028 onwards,” the report quoted a defence ministry source.
The development has come at a time when Pakistan is also in discussion with Russia for acquiring 360 of such tanks. “It wants to acquire new Russian T-90 tanks and indigenously produce others with China’s help,” said the defence source.
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