India Plans to Export Its Aging T-72 Tanks

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – India plans to upgrade its T-72 tanks and sell them to foreign countries as part of its effort to reduce the number of aging tanks in service and replace them with more modern models.

The Indian Army reportedly possesses up to 2,500 T-72 tanks and aims to replace them with newer versions. According to a senior Indian official, the T-72 tanks will undergo upgrades before being exported abroad.

“The T-72 tanks will first be modernized before they are exported, providing nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia the opportunity to acquire these tanks,” the official stated.

The T-72 has been the backbone of India’s army since it was introduced in the 1970s, and several countries are said to have expressed interest in acquiring the tanks that New Delhi plans to retire.

India began domestic production of the T-72 at its assembly plant in Chennai after procuring 500 units from the Soviet Union.

The same facility, which also manufactures the T-90 tanks, will now be utilized to upgrade the aging T-72s before they are sent to any interested nations.

The upgrade of the T-72 tanks for export will be conducted through a collaboration between India and Russia.

Analysts suggest that, in addition to the T-72, India may also upgrade other Russian-made armored vehicles, such as the BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), before selling them to foreign buyers.

Alongside the T-72, the Indian Army operates approximately 1,000 T-90 tanks and 100 locally-made “Arjun” tanks. — DSA