Indian Army Initiates Rs 57,000 Crore Project to Upgrade 1,800 Aging Russian T-72 Tanks with Cutting-edge AI-Powered Battle Machines

Defense News ,India :- In response to concerns about the decline of tanks, the Indian Army, with a strength of 12 lakhs, is gearing up for a significant overhaul of its existing tanks and the introduction of next-generation tanks for upcoming battles.

According to a report by The Times of India (TOI), senior officers have pointed out that the substantial destruction of Russian tanks in the ongoing Ukraine conflict was mainly due to "poor tactics." They highlighted that Russia deployed tanks without proper logistical support and failed to provide adequate backup from infantry, artillery, electronic warfare, and close-air support units.

A senior officer emphasized the importance of "combined-arms operations" in the conflict and stressed that tanks remain crucial for both offensive and defensive operations, offering mobility, firepower, and armored protection essential for large-scale ground battles.

The Army is set to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) this year for a mega project worth an estimated Rs 57,000 crores. The project aims to produce 1,770 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) in India, replacing the old Russian-origin T-72 tanks from 2030.

These FRCVs will incorporate advanced technologies such as AI, drone integration, active protection systems, and high situational awareness. They will also have the capability for manned-unmanned teaming and seamless integration with land and air elements in a network-centric environment.

In addition to this project, the Army has already inducted 1,200 T-90S 'Bhishma' tanks and will introduce the first five of the 118 indigenous Arjun Mark-1A tanks this year. These tanks have undergone significant upgrades to enhance firepower, mobility, endurance, and protection.

Furthermore, the Army plans to induct 354 indigenous light tanks under Project Zorawar, designed for high-altitude warfare. These tanks, with a weight of less than 25 tonnes, boast superior firepower and protection.

The officer emphasized that T-72s and T-90S tanks are also undergoing upgrades, receiving thermal sights, fire detection and suppression systems, automatic target trackers, digital ballistic computers, and commander thermal imagers.

"The FRCVs will be inducted in three phases, with 590 units in the first phase. Each phase will introduce newer technologies to ensure the highest levels of survivability, lethality, and agility. Tanks, by no means, are dead," the officer added.

The Army is also implementing various upgrade plans, including the approval to replace the existing 780 hp engines in its T-72 fleet with 1000-horsepower engines. These measures are aimed at enhancing the overall capabilities of the Indian Army's tank fleet in response to evolving threats and tactics.