With Arjun's future in doubt and the Indian Army's Armoured Regiments looking for futuristic combat vehicles, it is now clear that the upgrade programmes for the T-72s and T-90s are the first steps taken to ensure the force levels are maintained and the combatedge remains intact
India is preparing to convert all of its main battle tanks from the T-72 and the T-90 fleet into fighting fit machines. The upgrade programme for the two main battle tanks currently in the Indian Army's fleet includes changes in their power plant and enabling their night fighting capabilities. In the army’s long-term planning, the T-72 — which will be replaced by the more advanced T-90 only gradually — will continue to equip almost half of the Army's 59 tank regiments as far in the future as up to 2022.
Christened as Ajeya, the Indian T-72 tank is a licence manufactured Russian T-72M1, which started in the late 1970's. There are some 1,700 T-72s in the Indian Army armoured regiment fleet now. In fact, the T-72s became the backbone of the Indian combat vehicles fleet in the 1990s when India struggled with the development of the Arjun Mk-I tanks by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The T-72M1 were in need of overhauling and repairing, and this upgrade programme is a manifestation of those needs.
The latest in the series of upgrade programmes for the T-72s that the Indian Army has been working on in the last two decades is the changes it wants to effect on the tank's power plant. Ukraine, despite its troubles with Russia in the recent years, has submitted offers on its own to take up the upgrade of the Indian T-72 main battle tank fleet.
Ukranian state-owned Ukroboronprom is said to have submitted proposals before August 2016 to extend the life and upgrade the capabilities of the Indian Army’s T-72 Main Battle Tank (MBT) fleet. The Indian side is also said to be interested in placing an order for the modernisation of T-72 in Ukraine. Currently, the parties are negotiating on the cooperation for the project for upgrading of at least 1,000 T-72 tanks.
Denne historien er fra November 2016-utgaven av Geopolitics.
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Denne historien er fra November 2016-utgaven av Geopolitics.
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NEW MANTRA FOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION
AMIT COWSHISH explains why the Ministry of Defence (MOD), which is one of the biggest spenders, needs to watch out for the latest mediation rules.
NEW WAVE TERRORISM IN JAMMU & KASHMIR
KARAN KHARB argues that Pakistan's continued use of proxy war tactics against India, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, poses a severe threat to national security. He advocates for a shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in counter-terrorism efforts, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of military strategies and a coordinated national policy to address both external and internal security challenges effectively.
INDIAN NAVY'S PROJECT-751 - GERMAN TKMS LEADS SPANISH NAVANTIA AFTER FIELD TRIALS FOR AIP-SUBMARINE DEAL
German submarine-builder ThyssenKrupp (TKMS) and India's Mazagaon Dockyard Limited (MDL) have emerged as leaders in the Indian Navy's Project-751, which aims to build six submarines with Fuel Cell Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) and Lithium-ion batteries. Following successful field trials, TKMS and MDL have gained an edge over competitors by demonstrating their proven AIP technology and advanced submarine design tailored to the Indian Navy's needs.
VIKSIT BHARAT FROM A DREAM TO REALITY
The article explores India's ascent as a global influencer, emphasising its strategic advancements in foreign policy, defence, and economic growth. It also highlights India's challenges in achieving sustainable development and strengthening internal security. Adopting a forward-looking approach, the article envisions India's rise as a major economic power and a key player in global stability, as outlined by LT. GEN. A.B. SHIVANE (RETD.).
WILL MODI APPLY THE LESSON LEARNT FROM KOREA IN UKRAINE?
Speculation around Prime Minister Narendra Modi's possible visit to Ukraine raises questions about India's role in mediating peace between Russia and Ukraine. Drawing from its experience during the Korean War, India may seek to leverage its strategic neutrality to foster dialogue in a conflict where China and Turkey have also shown interest, opines PRAKASH NANDA.
UGVS: THE NEXT DIMENSION OF WARFARE
With the rest of the world developing unmanned ground vehicles at a breakneck speed, it is time for India to join the bandwagon at the earliest.
SUPERSONIC DESTROYER
The BrahMos programme has filled a critical gap in the Indian armed forces' missile inventory and continues to attract strong export interest, writes ATUL CHANDRA.
POLICE MODERNISATION: AN URGENT NEED OF THE HOUR
India is facing many internal security threats, and it is time to reshape the strategic dynamics by modernising the police forces.
FUTURE FIGHTER
FIA 24 provided important insights into the Global Combat Air Programme, which will redefine the future of air combat, reports MIKE RAJKUMAR.
FILLING THE GAP
A new Medium Transport Aircraft is essential for the IAF, but it will have to compete with other pressing programmes fighting for limited budgetary resources, analyses ATUL CHANDRA.
