India Is Rebuilding Its Russian-Designed T-90 Main Battle Tanks
The Indian Army recently completed a significant overhaul of its Russian-made T-90 main battle tanks (MBTs), a move highlighting India’s operational readiness with the tanks. The overhaul involved stripping the tanks to their core components and rebuilding them using precise techniques.
What You Need to Know: The Indian Army recently completed a significant overhaul of its Russian-made T-90 main battle tanks (MBTs), a move highlighting India’s operational readiness with the tanks. The overhaul involved stripping the tanks to their core components and rebuilding them using precise techniques.
-India has operated the T-90 since 2001, with over 1,000 in service, and plans to produce additional T-90 Mk-III variants domestically.
-These upgraded tanks feature advanced targeting and sighting systems, enhancing the Indian Army’s capabilities. The program showcases India’s growing technical prowess and commitment to maintaining its armored fleet.
India Overhauls T-90 Tanks, Showcases Military Readiness with Russian MBTs
On Monday, the Indian Army held a ceremony to mark a significant overhaul of a Russian-made T-90 main battle tank (MBT). The Indian Army's Corp of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers reportedly stripped the MBT "down to the last nut and bolt" and then rebuilt "it from scratch." That has been heralded as a significant step towards the Indian military's operational readiness with the tanks.
"More than 200 assemblies and sub-assemblies were meticulously removed and rebuilt using precise machining and resetting techniques," an Indian Army official told the Hindustan Times.
India has operated the Russian-designed T-90 since 2001, with more than 1,000 believed to be in service. The first 124 were completed in Russia, with the rest being delivered in "knocked down" form for final assembly in India. In July, the Indian military received 10 newly produced T-90 Mk-III main battle tanks from the state-owned Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL).
That initial lot of Russian-produced tanks is now being completely overhauled.
"The technicians at the base workshop, using customised machines and test benches supplied by the original equipment manufacturer, have demonstrated their technical prowess by independently rebuilding and testing the T-90’s mechanical, electronic, and instrumental components," a second official also told the Indian news outlet.
India a Tank Powerhouse
New Delhi has maintained close ties with Moscow, even as India has increased its domestic arms production. It will continue to produce the T-90 under license, which has been seen as a win for New Delhi – as it didn't need to focus on R&D or testing, and instead could move straight to the production phase.
In addition to the T-90s, India also has about 2,000 Soviet T-72 tanks, while New Delhi has struggled to produce a domestically designed model. Its Arjun MBTs have the dubious distinction of being considered the worst tank in modern service – which certainly explains why New Delhi was eager to have inked the deal to produce the T-90.
A Russian Tank With Some Key Enhancements
The new T-90 Mk-III variant made in India also features several significant enhancements, including a newly designed automatic target tracking system, a digital ballistic computer, and sighting systems.
According to international military analyst firm Janes, the Russian-designed MBTs are equipped with the midwave infrared-based commander sight jointly developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation and Bharat Electronics Limited. The sight utilizes a thermal imager that can detect targets at a distance of nearly five miles in both day and night conditions, while its laser rangefinder can lock on to targets at a distance of up to three miles.
That first batch of T-90 Mk-IIIs could be deployed to units in the Indian Army this year, the remaining 454 MBTs will be delivered over the next five years. In addition, T-90S models now in service will be upgraded to the T-90MS standard.
The Indian Army is now showing that it can keep those Russian tanks rolling like they're practically brand new.
Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
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