Russia Offers Localized T-14 Armata for Indian Army’s Next Gen Main Battle Tank (NGMBT) Needs, Potentially Replacing Aging T-72 Fleet

In a major proposal aimed at strengthening long-standing defence ties, Russia’s primary tank manufacturer, Uralvagonzavod, has put forward its advanced T-14 Armata tank for the Indian Army's future requirements.

The company has expressed a keen interest in partnering with India’s defence industry to develop a customized version of the tank for the nation's Next Generation Main Battle Tank (NGMBT) program.

This offer involves a potential collaboration with India's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) or other public sector defence units.

The proposal is strategically timed to align with India’s "Make-I" procurement category, a framework designed to boost indigenous defence production.

Under this initiative, the Indian government provides up to 70% of the funding for developing prototypes, creating a favourable environment for joint ventures that emphasize domestic manufacturing and technology transfer.

The partnership builds on a history of successful collaboration between the two nations.

Uralvagonzavod was instrumental in the technology transfer for the T-90S tanks, which are now manufactured in India by the Heavy Vehicles Factory under the name "T-90 Bhishma."

This existing program has achieved an impressive 83% level of indigenous content, which includes the complete localization of the tank's engine. Russian officials have stated their intention to exceed this level of local participation with the T-14 Armata project.

Officials from Uralvagonzavod have suggested that the T-14 Armata would serve as an ideal successor to the Indian Army's extensive but aging fleet of T-72 tanks, which form the backbone of its armoured corps.

A key aspect of the Russian offer is the significant scope for customization.

In a notable gesture, the company has confirmed its readiness to integrate India’s domestically developed DATRAN-1500HP engine into the Indian variant of the T-14, should the Indian military require it.

The standard T-14 is equipped with a 1,500-horsepower 12N360 diesel engine, but this flexibility allows for deeper Indian technological involvement.

The T-14 Armata is widely considered a significant leap in tank design.

Its revolutionary features include an unmanned, remotely operated turret, which allows the three-person crew to be housed in a separate, heavily armoured capsule in the hull for enhanced safety.

The tank is also equipped with advanced modular armour, state-of-the-art digital control systems, and the "Afghanit" Active Protection System (APS), designed to intercept incoming anti-tank missiles and rockets.

While the Indian Army is still in the early stages of evaluating options for its NGMBT, also known as the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) project, the Russian proposal is a strong contender.

The offer's focus on deep localization and willingness to incorporate Indian-made systems aligns well with the "Make in India" policy, positioning the T-14 as a compelling option for the future of India's armoured forces.

 

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[Mc Addy]

Don't phase out any tank as tank is a tank, Russia itself is using WW2 era tanks so don't sell anything to anyone, just upgrade with better fire control and drone protection, rest make or fake , who cares .

 

[Leored]

Tanks are of no more use in war zone. Need to design something which can move fast defend from drones and strike faster at longer distances. Don't follow old war mfg countries. Their tech are less useful now.

 

[kunitesh]

This can be a good replacement option for T72. Equipping it with Indian engine , Thermal imagers and active protective armour and anti drone systems will give Indian army significant boost in firepower. Then India can plan replacing T90 in 2035 with it's fully Indian designed NGMBT

 

[Thatnpcdude]

I don’t think it would be a good decision to purchase the Armata, because it is so far not a reliable “MBT.” It never saw combat; it has not been battlefield tested or even deployed in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war.

It does have an unmanned turret, but there are downsides. Because it is unmanned, the turret has little armour, so if the turret were to be shot it would probably result in damage to the gun, breach, turret ring, or any other component, considering the small profile of the turret. The front is well protected with ERA and spaced armour, or maybe even composite, I don't know. But the lower front plate still would probably be vulnerable to APFSDS like DM53. Even though the sides are covered in ERA, it would still be no problem for a TOW2a and the engine is not protected, so it may cause the Armata to be disabled.

The Russians so far made tanks from T54 to T90 with the same aspects: low-profile dome turret, 100-125mm cannon, and covered in lots of ERA, but the Armata is a larger tank with an almost Western-like hull and the same 125mm gun. It has not been concluded how effective an unmanned turret would prove in combat.

In my opinion, the Armata is not bad; it’s just not reliable like a T72 or a Leopard 2A4. BUT these are all coming from a 14-year-old who has no understanding about military strategy, so please don’t take this info seriously or think this is true in any way.

 

[Lakshmi Narasimhan]

Are Infian Tanks built by HVF, Chennai anything less compared to these Russian tanks..? If there is any sophisticated feature, build it, not buy it. Let's embrace Atmanirbr.....Stop wasting tax payers money on such purchases....

 

[Mc Addy]

Role of tanks, heavy equipment is a matter of debate as they are unable to turn the tide of war anymore like WW2 as seen in Ukraine but their role as force multipliers ,along with other mechanized and it air support can definitely do work and that's alot of resources as all sorts of air , drone and anti missile and mine protection is needed. The whole of Europe besides Germany has 1800 tanks ,out of which 1200 are under maintenance anytime . Germany is still betting on tanks despite faliure of its machines in Ukraine. So the weight, the resources ,the modern anti tank systems , drones what not is out there , all need to be factored into any purchase and it's aim of use . Armata is hi tech with unmanned turret as crew is less susceptible to top attack then , we can use it as per our needs so not a problem,if made here and under our control.Heavy tanks are a potent but cumbersome machines is the main issue.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

Are Infian Tanks built by HVF, Chennai anything less compared to these Russian tanks..? If there is any sophisticated feature, build it, not buy it. Let's embrace Atmanirbr.....Stop wasting tax payers money on such purchases....

So far, India has only been able to create the strange and outdated at the time of its adoption Arjun, whose export prospects are close to zero. Indian soldiers don't want to buy it, preferring the T-90. If India can't create something similar to the T-14 right now, then the purchase is acceptable. On the other hand, the role of tanks has changed dynamically.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

Role of tanks, heavy equipment is a matter of debate as they are unable to turn the tide of war anymore like WW2 as seen in Ukraine but their role as force multipliers ,along with other mechanized and it air support can definitely do work and that's alot of resources as all sorts of air , drone and anti missile and mine protection is needed. The whole of Europe besides Germany has 1800 tanks ,out of which 1200 are under maintenance anytime . Germany is still betting on tanks despite faliure of its machines in Ukraine. So the weight, the resources ,the modern anti tank systems , drones what not is out there , all need to be factored into any purchase and it's aim of use . Armata is hi tech with unmanned turret as crew is less susceptible to top attack then , we can use it as per our needs so not a problem,if made here and under our control.Heavy tanks are a potent but cumbersome machines is the main issue.

Germany will not buy a large number of Leopard 2A8, whose price is approaching €12 million (lmao, even our Type 10, which is being produced at a snail's pace, is not that expensive). Leopard 2A8 is planned as a gap filler, now Germany is accelerating work on a new European tank, private company Rheinmetall offers KF51 Panther for export, but for now it is still a technology demonstrator. In the EU, Poland is the leader in the number of tanks, which buys 1000+ Korean K2, several hundred Abrams.

 

[Mc Addy]

Germany will not buy a large number of Leopard 2A8, whose price is approaching €12 million (lmao, even our Type 10, which is being produced at a snail's pace, is not that expensive). Leopard 2A8 is planned as a gap filler, now Germany is accelerating work on a new European tank, private company Rheinmetall offers KF51 Panther for export, but for now it is still a technology demonstrator. In the EU, Poland is the leader in the number of tanks, which buys 1000+ Korean K2, several hundred Abrams.

Role of tanks past WW2 has changed dramatically,no longer a force multiplier and needs too much protection from all kinds of weapons,aim at it so need to rethink as speed matter in battle and this ensemble of mechanized infantry around a tank , will invite a missile strike to end the armada , so need to be fast, mobile and night capable, rest is god's in such war situations.