New Delhi: India rolled out its first batch of the indigenous, Russian-designed T-90 tanks which will be India's main battle tank over the next three decades.
The successor to the T-72 tanks, the T-90 - renamed Bhishma after the Mahabharat stalwart - is the one of the most advanced tanks in the world. It has night fighting capability and can fire guided missiles from its turret.
It is also designed to ensure protection of crew from radio-activity in the event of a nuclear attack.
The Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi in Tamil Nadu will make 100 T-90 tanks annually over the next 10 years.
This also signals a quiet burial for India's very own Arjun tank, which will now have only a symbolic presence in the Indian Army.
The Indian Army plans a fleet of over 1,600 of these Russian designed tanks by 2020. Over 600 T-90s have been acquired from Russia. The tank will be the spearhead of India's armoured corps and the mainstay of its offensive operations.
The production of this equipment resumed after a one year delay with India and Russia settling a dispute over transfer of technology. If delivered on time, the 50 tanks will allow the Indian Army to raise an additional armoured regiment by the end of the year.
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