Ultimate Tactical Level Destroyers

Armoured combat vehicles continue to be the most sought-after weapon on tactical-level battlefields and India is no exception. The two ground wars – with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 – saw widespread use of tanks, tank destroyer vehicles and armoured personnel carriers (APCs). As of 2019, with more than 4500 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) divided into 67 armoured regiments, the Indian Army has one of the largest tank fleets in the world. AMARTYA SINHA takes a look at the current armoured capabilities of the nation as well as some of the ongoing projects undergoing development

The two world wars in the last century witnessed widespread casualties among soldiers from both camps and forced many European nations to invest in better research and development initiatives to develop better armour and boost firepower in order to counter threats on tactical-level battlefield. With the evolution of high-explosive warheads, mines and grenades capable of taking out infantrymen and light vehicles, shielding the soldiers and officers from enemy firepower became an abject necessity. Tanks and armoured vehicles were developed to cater to the needs of professional armies all across the world to take out enemy positions and mobile targets through LRDLOS (Long Range Direct Line of Sight) engagement and to protect the soldiers inside the hardened armoured compartment from enemy fire. While the evolution of India’s armoured fleet dates back to the 1950s, the country faced two massive ground wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971 which witnessed widespread use of tanks, tank destroyer vehicles and armoured personnel carriers (APCs). As of 2019, with more than 4500 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) divided into 67 armoured regiments, the Indian Army has one of the largest tank fleets in the world. Following is a sneak peek into the current armoured capabilities of the nation and also some of the ongoing projects undergoing the developmental phase:

T-72 Main Battle