India to Export Retiring T-72 Tanks, But Experts Urge Caution Against Shell Companies and Rerouting to Ukraine War

The Indian Army is preparing to retire hundreds of its aging T-72 main battle tanks, opening up the possibility of exporting them to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

However, defence experts are urging caution, warning against the potential for these tanks to be acquired by shell companies and ultimately rerouted to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

India currently operates a fleet of approximately 2,500 T-72 tanks, some of which have been in service since the late 1970s. These tanks, alongside over 1,000 T-90s (a modernized derivative of the T-72), have formed the backbone of India's armored forces.

However, due to their age and increasing maintenance requirements, the Indian Army is phasing out the T-72s in favor of the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV), which is expected to enter service from 2030 onwards.

Before being exported, the retired T-72s will undergo modernization at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, which previously manufactured these tanks under license. This refurbishment aims to enhance their capabilities and make them attractive to potential buyers seeking cost-effective combat vehicles.

However, the global surge in demand for tanks, fueled by the war in Ukraine and the depletion of surplus stocks in many countries due to donations, has raised concerns about the final destination of these refurbished T-72s.

Defence experts has cautioned against the potential involvement of shell companies, which could act as intermediaries to acquire the tanks and subsequently supply them to parties involved in the Ukraine conflict, despite India's neutral stance.

To prevent such a scenario, experts emphasize the need for stringent vetting of potential buyers. This includes verifying their legitimacy as defence forces and ensuring that the tanks will not be used to destabilize conflict zones or contribute to human rights violations.

India's careful approach to this export opportunity will be crucial to avoid any unintended consequences and maintain its commitment to responsible arms trade.

 

[Anant]

See, the thing here is that any T-72 export from India is still several years in the future. We won't be exporting these tanks in earnest until well after the FRCV enters service. By that point, Russia's invasion of Ukraine will have long ended, and anyone wanting them and capable of paying can buy them.

 

[Instant Karma]

Don't worry. All T 72 will go to Russia. Russian engineers are upgrading the tanks in India.

 

[GabbarSinghYoddha]

After retiring the T72 tanks, they should be handed over to - (1) To BSF to station them near bunkers, and (2) To CRPF, to allow them to use against anti-Maoist operations in the red belt forests.

 

[sanket]

T-72 should not b sell unlike F-16 old Jets Business , they should b kept in Good condition Nw a days drone warfare have made Tank easy Targets, T-72 can b Handy , Even Russia used some old Tanks in Ukraine war

 

[swatkats_razor]

After retiring the T72 tanks, they should be handed over to - (1) To BSF to station them near bunkers, and (2) To CRPF, to allow them to use against anti-Maoist operations in the red belt forests.

What are BSF and CRPF supposed to do with tanks, my dear friend?
They already keep portable mortars and LMGs at western borders, tanks will be a liability.

For anti-maoist operations, try driving a Maruti 800 into the bastar's jungles and you'd know that tanks will be of no use. Maoists don't live on picnic grounds next to the roads. They live deep inside forests where a tank like T-72 can not venture.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

This so called export is not going to happen till 2030. At that time in today's circumstances may be we are in third world war stage and we ourselves might require it.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Sell only to countries not to middlemen. Sign a contract for no transfer without written permission and no further export. Ask Russia if they would like to buy them.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I dont think we should export them. We should store them properly. Ukraine war has taught us the value of keeping old equipment in storage. They will come in handy in emergency times.

 

[Dredd]

See, the thing here is that any T-72 export from India is still several years in the future. We won't be exporting these tanks in earnest until well after the FRCV enters service. By that point, Russia's invasion of Ukraine will have long ended, and anyone wanting them and capable of paying can buy them.

And FRCV is still 6-10 years away, May be earlier T-72 batch will start retiring with new batches of T90 Mk3 coming in.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Can mount AK603 CIWS guns on few 100's T72 chassis to test for LAC's...

 

[Varaaah]

Sell them to the UN Peacekeeping Forces.

 

[sanjiv]

Keep them and upgrade them to unmanned tank with networking and remote operations

 

[Anant]

And FRCV is still 6-10 years away, May be earlier T-72 batch will start retiring with new batches of T90 Mk3 coming in.

Perhaps, but I still feel the T-72 retirement may be pushed back. Alternatively, we may see the older T-72s transformed into static artillery along the LoC, complementing the 700 or so T-55s and 400 or so license-built Vickers MBTs we have in that role.

 

[Shiva]

Shell companies by definition are the companies created to identify details of the beneficiary of any business.
How come defense products of any country can be sold to such shell companies?
They are vulnerable to reach to the hands of terrorists/unwatned countries/unwanted agencies!!!!

Not clear, why Indian Government is really accepting such requests even to receive!!!
Does the privitization of the defense industry is to achieve these kind of malpractices!!!

 

[Bhishma]

T-72 should not b sell unlike F-16 old Jets Business , they should b kept in Good condition Nw a days drone warfare have made Tank easy Targets, T-72 can b Handy , Even Russia used some old Tanks in Ukraine war

yes. convert them into unmanned autonomous tanks. use them for expendable first wave attacks

 

[Sandeep]

Keep them and upgrade them to unmanned tank with networking and remote operations

That requires a lot of heavy and technology upgrades which will take time and money to the point that it’s not worth it.

 

[Sandeep]

India can certainly sell some older T72 tanks from the first batch of tanks to Africa in small numbers to start. They need cheap, easy to operate and reliable fire power which the T72 gives them. Also another option is that we could try and upgrade their existing tanks they already have with modern technology to enhance its performance if they don’t want to buy an entire tank from us. One key benefit is that we can provide a lot of spares, parts, ammunition, components and critical technology to anyone who operates them including Russia.

We should still keep the tanks that we have upgraded indigenously in active service for another 15-20 years. Until we have developed and manufactured our FMBT and orders are flowing and they are ready for induction to replace the older T72 tanks we have to keep this in service for that long.

 

[Sridhar]

India is a responsible country and will not sell weapons to all and sundry.

 

[Sudha]

India is a responsible country and will not sell weapons to all and sundry.

Correct. But how did the artillery shells landed in Ukraine? 🤔

 

[Bard of Anarchy]

Sell them to the UN Peacekeeping Forces.

They'll only take it as a donation 😆

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

India must slowly modernize and keep these tanks in reserve as a three front war if it extends like the Russian Ukraine war will drain out the resources and these T-72 tanks will come handy instead of costly T-90 and FRCV. The tanks can be used to requip BSF , ITBP , and army with static formations along the IB/LOC.