India Initiates $7.85 Billion Modernisation Program to Enhance 1,000 T-72 and T-90 Tanks

The Indian Defence Ministry is is preparing one of the largest armoured vehicle modernisation programs in its history, with a $7.85 billion program planned to enhance hundreds of T-72 and T-90 tanks and BMP armoured recovery vehicles over the next five years. According to reports citing Indian Army sources, the initiative will focus on extending the operational lives of approximately 790 T-72 tanks, 200 T-90 tanks, and 230 Armoured Recovery Vehicles through comprehensive refurbishment, while also restoring them to full operational readiness. The Army is simultaneously continuing to receive new T-90 tanks from Russia. The tank types have faced growing competition due to the export of Chinese VT-4 tanks to Pakistan, and more significantly China’s bringing of the Type 100 into service, which is the first tank in the world of a revolutionary new generation. 

Preceding the Russian Defence Ministry’s surge in T-90 procurements from 2022 due to the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine, India was the largest foreign operator of the T-90, and alongside Algeria fielded more of the tanks than the Russian Army itself. The country was also by far the largest operator of the T-72, with its acquisition of the vehicle type having been one of the largest foreign tank procurement programs of the Cold War. India selected the Soviet T-72M1 in the late 1970s after evaluating several foreign designs. The first contract was signed in 1978, with deliveries beginning in 1979. These tanks were imported fully assembled from the Soviet Union to rapidly modernise the Indian Army, with approximately 500 tanks delivered. Local license production subsequent commenced at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) at Avadi in the early 1980s, where 1,900 T-72s were produced.

Although detailed technical specifications have yet to be released, reports indicate that the upgraded vehicles will retain only their basic hulls while receiving extensive new equipment. This is expected to include modern electronics, communications equipment, thermal imagers, battlefield management systems, and survivability features. The tanks will also rely more heavily on indigenous fire controls and parts to reduce reliance on imported Russian components. The program reportedly envisages integrating unmanned aerial systems with armoured units, allowing tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to operate alongside reconnaissance drones to improve battlefield awareness and target acquisition. The decision comes amid an accelerated effort to modernise India's armed forces following heightened regional tensions, particularly after last year's military confrontation with Pakistan. 

India's procurement of the T-90 has been one of the largest modern main battle tank acquisition programs outside Russia, with the tank’s very high levels of commonality with the T-72 allowing the two to easily be operated together. In 2001 the Defence Ministry signed a contract worth approximately $800 million for 310 T-90S tanks, 186 of which were supplied in kit form for assembly in India. The ministry has so far procured an estimated 2,100 T-90s, making it likely the world’s largest T-90 fleet despite Russia’s wartime procurement surge. Although India has invested heavily in developing the indigenous Arjun tank, production remains limited due to widespread performance shortcomings, leaving the Russian-designed T-90 as the backbone of the country’s heavy armoured formations.