The Indian Army is upgrading 50 tanks annually at its indigenous overhaul facility in Delhi as the country's military focuses on increasing the firepower, mobility and protection of these vehicles that form the lynchpin of India's armoured forces.
"ABW can undertake OH (overhaul) of 50 tanks in a year. Considering the capacity, T-72 tanks and T-90 tanks are being fed to the workshop based on their capacity," highly placed sources in the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) told Sputnik India on the condition of anonymity on Wednesday.
Furthermore, the Indian Army has plans to induct another 464 T-90 tanks, for which the contract was signed with the Chennai-based and state-run Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in 2019.
"Delivery of these new T-90 tanks will be completed by 2027–28," the sources added.
The ABW is a newly established facility, having advanced technologies that allow India to indigenously overhaul its fleet of tanks like T-72 and T-90. It began operations last year following an inauguration ceremony presided over by the current Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi.
Notably, the Indian Army has approximately 1200 T-90 tanks, alongside approximately 2,400 T-72s in its armoured fleet. In addition to these two Russian-origin tanks, India's ground forces operate more than 100 Arjun Mk-1 tanks.
Notably, the Indian Army has approximately 1200 T-90 tanks, alongside approximately 2,400 T-72s in its armoured fleet. In addition to these two Russian-origin tanks, India's ground forces operate more than 100 Arjun Mk-1 tanks.