India ramps up defenses: $6.3B boost for military modernization
The Ministry of Defense of India has received the green light to implement several key programs aimed at bolstering the country's military strength. One such program focuses on the modernization of T-90S "Bhishma" tanks.
According to Reuters, the Defense Acquisition Council of India has granted preliminary approval for the acquisition of weapons and equipment valued at approximately 6.3 billion dollars.
This funding will be allocated to enhance the capabilities of India's armed forces, financing programs such as additional torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare for the Indian Navy, aerial early warning and control systems for the Indian Air Force, and the modernization of T-90 tanks.
India to modernize T-90S "Bhishma" tanks
Revealed details indicate that the plan includes acquiring more powerful engines for the tanks. The T-90S "Bhishma" is a variant of the Russian T-90S, specifically tailored to meet the needs of the Indian army.
While comprehensive details have not been disclosed, it has been reported that after modernization, the T-90S "Bhishma" tanks will be equipped with engines delivering 1,350 hp, replacing the current units with 1,000 hp. The armament will remain unchanged, continuing to feature the 2A46M-3 smoothbore gun with a 125 mm caliber.
India looks at neighbors and draws lessons from the war in Ukraine
The EurAsian Times portal notes that there are currently about 1,300 T-90 tanks in Indian warehouses, mostly comprising T-90S "Bhishma" models.
The planned modernization aims to significantly enhance the tanks' power-to-weight ratio, improving their mobility and readiness for operations in challenging terrains, including mountainous regions. The portal suggests that these plans are driven not only by India's desire to keep pace with the armaments of China and Pakistan but also by insights gained from the war in Ukraine, which exposed the weaknesses of tanks.
More powerful engines in the T-90S "Bhishma" will ensure these machines are no longer inferior to the newer T-90MS "Bhiszma Mk. III," which uses engines with a power of 1,130 hp.
In 2019, India signed a contract for the licensed production of 464 units of T-90MS "Bhiszma Mk. III," but thus far, only a small portion has been delivered to the army.
