India unveils ambitious plan to replace outdated T‑72 tanks
India has decided to retire its outdated T-72 tanks. Approximately 2,400 Soviet-origin machines will be replaced by tanks designed and manufactured by the Indian defense industry. This is one of the most ambitious projects presented in recent years by the country's authorities, known as a long-time ally of Moscow, which has traditionally purchased large quantities of weapons from them.
Brent M. Eastwood, a former U.S. Army officer, notes in an article published on the 19FortyFive portal that India aims to prepare a modern main battle tank that will stand out for its high mobility while providing the crew with adequate protection and firepower. The tank is planned to enter service as early as 2030.
India no longer wants T-72 tanks
The T-72 is a family of main battle tanks originating from the USSR, equipped with a 125 mm cannon. The first units entered service in 1973, and in the ensuing years, many different variants were developed, some of which were designed specifically for certain countries.
The Polish reference in this case involves T-91 Twardy tanks. However, India still has about 2,400 T-72 Ajeya tanks, the Indian-licensed version of the T-72M1. Despite upgrades, these machines are considered outdated.
India will rely on domestic tanks
As of now, the fate of the T-72 Ajeya tanks, which India will retire from service, remains unknown. The new tank will be developed under the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program. Seventy percent of the necessary funds are to come from the Ministry of Defense of India, which shows strong determination for the entire endeavor to succeed.
The specifications of the Indian tank intended to replace the Soviet-era machines are not yet precisely defined. Prototype evaluations will precede the final configuration's entry into production. All should consider the expectations of Indian authorities, emphasizing the necessity of deploying a tank with "excellent mobility, terrain capabilities, multi-layered protection, precise and lethal weaponry, and real-time situational awareness."
This may indicate that, unlike the T-72 Ajeya, protection will include modern threats such as more advanced anti-tank missiles or kamikaze drones, which, as demonstrated by the war in Ukraine, play a significant role on the battlefield.
