India's Armor Gets a Boost: A Closer Look at the T-72 and T-90 Upgrades

India is taking significant strides in modernizing its armored forces, and at the center of this effort is a substantial upgrade program for its mainstay battle tanks – the T-72 and T-90.

The Indian Army is not simply looking to buy more powerful machines; it's investing in transforming its existing assets into more capable platforms, demonstrating a strategic focus on self-reliance and indigenous technological development.

The T-72: A Workhorse Transformed​

The backbone of India's tank fleet, the T-72, is set to receive a heart transplant. A ₹2300 crore project will see nearly 1000 of these tanks fitted with new, indigenously developed 1000-hp engines.

This represents a significant power increase over the current 780-hp models, giving the T-72s enhanced battlefield mobility and agility.

Importantly, the upgrade approach prioritizes cost-effectiveness and leverages existing knowledge. Engineers have redesigned peripheral systems like cooling and intake while retaining core engine components.

This ensures a reliable upgrade path with reduced development time. Rigorous testing guarantees the engines' combat readiness.

'Make in India' in Action​

The T-72 upgrade program embodies India's "Make in India" initiative. Approximately 800 of the new engines will be manufactured domestically.

This is not just about upgrading tanks; it's fueling India's defence industry, creating jobs, and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

The upgrades extend beyond just horsepower. The T-72s will receive crucial enhancements like:

• Thermal sights: Providing superior night-fighting capabilities.
• Fire detection and suppression systems: Boosting battlefield survivability.
• Other targeted improvements: Potentially including communication and battlefield management systems upgrades

The T-90S: Sharpening the Edge​

India's more advanced T-90S main battle tanks are also receiving a technological boost. This includes:

• Automatic target trackers: Enhancing target acquisition and engagement.
• Digital ballistic computers: Improving firing accuracy.
• Commander thermal imagers: Providing enhanced situational awareness.

Beyond the Hardware: India's Strategic Vision​

The T-72 and T-90 modernization programs signal India's commitment to maintaining a technologically superior armored force capable of facing contemporary threats.

The combination of indigenous development and carefully selected imports demonstrates a savvy approach to defence procurement, maximizing combat potential while building a self-sufficient defence industry.

This move underscores India's growing ambition as a regional power and its determination to independently safeguard its security interests.

The upgraded T-72s and T-90s will form a formidable armored fist, ready to deter aggression and ensure India's continued rise as a self-reliant military power.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

It was signed in 2020. Not too long ago, when considering the time frame. So even today you can get it for 4 million usd or thereabouts.

India has been buying t90 tanks for decades now.

 

[Amit Ray]

Sarcasm, my good man, sarcasm.

Metaphors, Pun, Sarcasm everything is okay, but don't take refuge to those after being caught talking prolix.

 

[Anant]

Metaphors, Pun, Sarcasm everything is okay, but don't take refuge to those after being caught talking prolix.

Not my fault if you cannot identify or understand sarcasm when you read it, and even more so when the final sarcastic taunt is being built up to.

Say what you will, and believe what you will. I do not care either way, unless you have a sensible point to make. Above all, however, do have a good day.

 

[Anant]

That is exactly the thought of the army. Right now t90 tanks form our frontline. These t72 will remain in storage. But they will be modernised that when they are pulled out of storage, we dont have to modernise them then, as the russians are doing. It would be more expensive then, waste of precious time and resources during wartime.

True, but there is no point going for a very comprehensive modernisation costing pretty much as the tank did in the first place. We should have plans such as this, but they should be done only if need be.

If the Army is looking to spend something like 23,000 crores on a modernisation today, it would be a better idea to spend a fraction of that for an austere rework and spend the rest of the money where it actually makes sense, such as the FMBT, where the Army wants a tank that is essentially a South Korean K2 Black Panther (with a cost price of over 8 million dollars) for less than 4 million USD apiece.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

If the Army is looking to spend something like 23,000 crores on a modernisation today, it would be a better idea to spend a fraction of that for an austere rework and spend the rest of the money where it actually makes sense, such as the FMBT, where the Army wants a tank that is essentially a South Korean K2 Black Panther (with a cost price of over 8 million dollars) for less than 4 million USD apiece.

Army is spending as much on upgrade as it needs to. If it spends less then these tanks would just be very exzpensive targets.

Engines are also very old, that is why they getting brand new upgrades engines.

 

[Akshat]

India has been buying t90 tanks for decades now.

I specifically stated that the price I am quoting is for the latest deal which was signed in 2020 only.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I specifically stated that the price I am quoting is for the latest deal which was signed in 2020 only.

I found that a deal was done in 2019 for 464 t90 tanks and it was for around 3 billion which comes to more than 6 million each. Also India hd to pay a ridiculous amount of money as license fees (over 1 billion).