India's Next-Gen Main Battle Tank to Equip with Both 120mm and 125mm Smooth-bore Guns for Better Flexibility

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making significant strides in its Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT) program, developing both 120mm and 125mm smooth-bore gun systems for the upcoming Next Generation Main Battle Tank (NGMBT).

This dual-caliber approach highlights India's commitment to fielding a highly adaptable and potent main battle tank for the future.

Smooth-bore guns, known for their superior projectile velocity and penetrative power compared to rifled barrels, represent a technological leap for India's armored warfare capabilities.

By pursuing both 120mm and 125mm variants, DRDO aims to provide the Indian Army with flexibility in tailoring the NGMBT to diverse operational needs and evolving ammunition technologies.

This strategic decision allows India to leverage the advantages of each caliber. The 125mm gun, a staple in Russian-origin tanks currently in service with the Indian Army, offers formidable firepower and compatibility with a wide range of existing ammunition.

On the other hand, the 120mm gun, commonly found in Western tanks, potentially allows for better weight management and enhanced mobility, crucial factors in modern battlefield scenarios.

The smooth-bore design facilitates the use of advanced kinetic energy penetrators like APFSDS rounds, as well as high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) projectiles, ensuring the NGMBT can effectively engage a wide array of targets on the battlefield.

The FMBT program envisions a future-ready tank platform, integrating modern technologies such as active protection systems, advanced composite armor, and enhanced situational awareness tools.

The development of these indigenous smooth-bore guns is a crucial step towards realizing this vision, ensuring the NGMBT is a fully capable and independent armored platform.

While the timeline for the final selection and testing of these guns remains to be seen, DRDO's simultaneous development of both calibers demonstrates a forward-thinking approach.

This strategy not only provides flexibility in equipping the NGMBT but also strengthens India's defence manufacturing capabilities and enhances its armored forces in a dynamic regional security environment.

 

[moorthytm]

why stuck at 120 and 125, revisit the Hyundai Rotem next generation mbt at 130mm KDNSS at 140mm

 

[sanket]

Good Going DRDO by developing both types of Smooth Bore Gun system for Next Generation Main Battle Tank

 

[SK]

It makes No sense.

Indian Army operates 125mm Gun & Ammo, so it's best to develop the Next Gen MBT as Sub-60 Ton MBT for 3-Men Crew with a 125 mm Gun. A lot of 125mm Ammo should be existing within IA's reserve & it can easily be utilized in such way.

 

[GMR]

Great.. another basic equipment, ticked off from the import list. With Bharat Forge also manufacturing barrels, it can be a two way tango...

 

[Sridhar]

Why two caliber main guns are required ? It would only cause more burden on logistics and stocking of different ammunitions. 125 MM would be more ideal as modern MBT comes with better armoured protection.

 

[Kira]

It makes No sense.

Indian Army operates 125mm Gun & Ammo, so it's best to develop the Next Gen MBT as Sub-60 Ton MBT for 3-Men Crew with a 125 mm Gun. A lot of 125mm Ammo should be existing within IA's reserve & it can easily be utilized in such way.

True, as even when FMBT comes steadily online and the T-72 would be retiring,then again the thousands of T-90s with its 125mm gun would still be in service for many more years, at least till 2040s.

 

[Harish jyala]

India's most contested areas are in mountain range. As china is a leap ahead in this and pakistan will follow it soon. India army should focus on building light tanks as priority because the project zorawar is nowhere near being operational.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

Why two caliber main guns are required ? It would only cause more burden on logistics and stocking of different ammunitions. 125 MM would be more ideal as modern MBT comes with better armoured protection.

120mm is nato standard. Needed for some export variants possibly and if IA uses nato standard in future tanks.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

Good Going DRDO by developing both types of Smooth Bore Gun system for Next Generation Main Battle Tank

Korean self cleaning sabot round with 120mm would be very good.

 

[Sandeep]

What nonsense is this? Why waste time and money on developing 2 different calibre guns or is this more fake news?

Ideally they shouldn’t develop either variant at all because they should be looking at developing a much more higher calibre gun which gives us an advantage over the enemy. There’s no point in developing the same calibre gun as your enemy as it doesn’t give you a military advantage.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

What nonsense is this? Why waste time and money on developing 2 different calibre guns or is this more fake news?

Ideally they shouldn’t develop either variant at all because they should be looking at developing a much more higher calibre gun which gives us an advantage over the enemy. There’s no point in developing the same calibre gun as your enemy as it doesn’t give you a military advantage.

120mm gun is for FRCV program and Arjun. Also incorporating advanced tech sabot can reduce warhead weight and increase number of ammo and effectiveness. 120mm is similar to using 5.56 mm rounds..go for larger number of more efficient rounds than less number of heavier rounds. All reduce overall vehicle weight.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

It makes No sense.

Indian Army operates 125mm Gun & Ammo, so it's best to develop the Next Gen MBT as Sub-60 Ton MBT for 3-Men Crew with a 125 mm Gun. A lot of 125mm Ammo should be existing within IA's reserve & it can easily be utilized in such way.

Unless India plans to further deepen its relations with USA and the West, there would be no point in going for a 120 mm tank gun. Going for 125 mm tank gun would ensure ammunition compatibilty with its T 72 and T 90 tanks and reduce logistical issues.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

True, as even when FMBT comes steadily online and the T-72 would be retiring,then again the thousands of T-90s with its 125mm gun would still be in service for many more years, at least till 2040s.

What is the timeline of the FMBT? Chances are that the Indian Army would be using T 72's and T 90's for a long time yet.

 

[Rajesh]

Why 120mm. 125 is ok because of the ammo and infrastructure we have. Why waste time and money on 120mm. France/germany has unveiled 130mm gun ans another is developing 140mm. Korea is studying 140mm design and development, Russia has plans for a 152mm. Move forwards not backwards in research and development.

 

[Kira]

What is the timeline of the FMBT? Chances are that the Indian Army would be using T 72's and T 90's for a long time yet.

A likely possibility,but I believe the T-72 fleet just like with the IAF's MiG-21 fleet will eventually find its way into the sunset due to sheer obsolescence.
Now there will be different scenarios then based on whether the proposed FMBT enters production by the early 2030s or if not then either additional T-90s(which is what actually happened when Arjun was delayed in early 2000s) will need to be produced or IA may import a foreign MBT design altogether.
But as seen with the Zorawar light tank, this time the Indian industry may be mature from both experience and technological perspective and IA likely to be more realistic and measured coming from the Arjun saga when it comes to specifications.
Let's see, fingers crossed 🤞