India possesses one of the world's most formidable armies, which is crucial given its extensive land borders that demand robust security. Establishing strongholds in border regions necessitates a wide range of military equipment, among which tanks are paramount. Tanks, as heavily armored and tracked military vehicles, are purpose-built for land-based combat. They stand out for their imposing firepower, exceptional mobility, and impeccable protection, rendering them indispensable assets on the contemporary battlefield.

 Tanks serve as the vanguard of India's border defenses, ensuring the nation's security and sovereignty along its extensive frontiers. They are armed with formidable main guns, complemented by secondary weapons, and fortified with robust armor, enabling them to effectively engage enemy forces, pierce fortified positions, and provide crucial cover and support for ground troops. With their powerful engines and rugged tracks, tanks excel in mobility across diverse terrains and conditions, from mud and snow to treacherous battlefields. Unlike wheeled vehicles, they navigate with unmatched efficiency, cementing their status as the ultimate land-based war machines.

 The Indian Army deploys a diverse array of tanks to meet the multifaceted demands of modern warfare. Here's an overview of the tanks currently in the Indian Army's arsenal:

 

ARJUN MBT:-

The Arjun is a third-generation main battle tank developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), for the Indian Army. The tank is named after Arjuna, the archer prince who is the main protagonist of the Indian epic mythology Mahabharata and was designed between 1986 and 1996. The tank entered service in 2004, with the 43rd Armoured Regiment being the first to receive it in 2009.

 Arjun is armed with a 120 mm rifled main gun, indigenous armor-piercing ammunition, a PKT 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and an NSVT 12.7 mm machine gun. Its power comes from a 1,400 hp MTU multi-fuel diesel engine, power to weight ratio is 24:1 hp/ton, enabling speeds of up to 70 km/h (43 mph) on roads and 40 km/h (25 mph) off-road. It has an overall length of 10.19 m, height of 3.03 m, width of 3.86 m, and a combat weight of 58.5 tons. The crew consists of a commander, gunner, loader, and driver.

ARJUN MBT


 The Gunner's Main Sight combines a day-sight, thermal sight, and laser range finder, all using a stabilized common sighting head mirror for precise targeting in both elevation and azimuth. The day-sight offers dual magnification, while the thermal imager enables night vision and target engagement in challenging conditions like darkness, smoke, dust, haze, and light camouflage. Additionally, it incorporates a laser range finder for accurate target ranging.

 Meanwhile, the Commander's panoramic sight provides uninterrupted all-around battlefield surveillance, eliminating the need for the commander to divert attention or be disrupted by turret motion. This stability is achieved through a two-axis rate gyro mounted on the head mirror platform, and it also offers dual magnification for versatile observation capabilities.

 Due to the high power-to-weight ratio and low specific ground pressure, MBT is fast, highly maneuverable, and extremely mobile to cross the most difficult terrain with ease. High acceleration rapid braking capabilities with excellent steering characteristics make MBT agile on the battlefield. Adequate fuel storage capacity and relatively low fuel consumption allow for an optimal operational range.


T-72 :-

The Russian T-72 main battle tank boasts a rich history of production and global export. These formidable armored vehicles were manufactured at two key facilities: the Malyshev HMB Plant in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and the UKBM Nizhny Tagil in the Russian Federation. Beyond their home production, the T-72 was also licensed for manufacture in numerous other countries. This iconic tank's production journey began in 1972, and Its widespread adoption is evident, with T-72s finding their way into the military arsenals of various nations, including Algeria, Bulgaria, Cuba, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Finland, Hungary, India, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, North Korea, Poland, Romania, Syria, and Yugoslavia.

 Under the hood, the T-72 is powered by a robust V12 liquid-cooled, four-stroke multi-fuel diesel engine, which delivers a formidable 840 horsepower. This powerhouse is complemented by a planetary transmission featuring a hydraulic servo-control system, making for efficient operation. The tank's running gear incorporates RMSH tracks and torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers, allowing it to navigate diverse terrains with agility. On the road, the T-72 can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h, and it maintains a respectable 35 km/h on dry earth roads. With its main fuel tank, it boasts an impressive operational range of 500 kilometers.

 Furthermore, the T-72 can ford depths of up to 1.2 meters without prior preparation, and if needed, snorkels can be fitted for fording to a remarkable depth of 5 meters. In terms of dimensions, the tank measures an overall length of 6.91 meters, stands at an overall height of 2.19 meters, and spans an overall width of 3.58 meters.

T-72 AJEYA


 In the 1970s, the Indian Army embarked on a mission to replace its aging Centurion and Vijayanta main battle tanks. After rigorous trials, the Soviet-built T-72 emerged as the chosen successor. In 1978, India solidified this decision by placing a direct order for 500 T-72, T-72M, and T-72 M1 tanks from the USSR. The 1980s saw the commencement of local production at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, Chennai, marking the beginning of India's domestic T-72 manufacturing efforts. Presently, the Indian Army proudly operates a fleet of over 2,000 T-72 tanks, encompassing three distinct versions.

 The Indian-built T-72 Ajeya tank comes in two versions:

Ajeya MK1: This version is based on the T-72M1 and was manufactured at Avadi in India.

Ajeya MK2: The Indian version of the T-72M1 includes Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) and banks of 6 smoke grenade launchers on each side for enhanced protection.

 These Indian T-72 Ajeya tanks are equipped with a formidable 125 mm 2A46 smoothbore tank gun, capable of firing a variety of anti-tank rounds, including Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) projectiles. The tank also features a 12.7 mm NSV anti-aircraft machine gun for air defense capabilities. Additionally, a 7.62 mm PKT machine gun is mounted alongside the main barrel, allowing the tank to engage enemy infantry soldiers effectively.


T-90 :-

The T-90, a third-generation Russian main battle tank, is a product of the prestigious Uralvagonzavod facility in Nizhny Tagil, Russia. Evolving from the T-72B, it boasts an imposing 125 mm 2A46 smoothbore main gun, the advanced 1A45T fire-control system, an upgraded engine, and a gunner's thermal sight. Its protective features include a blend of steel and composite armor, smoke grenade launchers, Kontakt-5 explosive-reactive armor, and the sophisticated Shtora infrared ATGM jamming system. This cutting-edge tank was meticulously designed and constructed by Uralvagonzavod in Nizhny Tagil, Russia.

 In February 2001, the Indian Army entered into a significant contract for the acquisition of 310 T-90S tanks. Out of these, 124 were manufactured in Russia, while the remainder were imported as CKD kits for assembly in India. India's decision to opt for the T-90 was influenced by its lineage from the T-72, a tank already in Indian production, sharing approximately 60% of its parts, thus facilitating streamlined maintenance processes. The initial batch of 42 Indian tanks, designated as T-90S, featured older cast turrets and the V-84 engine, producing 840 hp. Subsequently, an additional 82 vehicles arrived with new welded turrets and the V-92S2 engine, generating an impressive 1,000 hp.

 In October 2006, India took another significant step by signing a contract for the domestic manufacture of 330 T-90S tanks at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, Tamil Nadu.

 The T-90S, aptly named Bhishma after the guardian warrior in the Mahabharata epic, is a testament to international collaboration, incorporating contributions from both Russian and French engineering prowess. It is equipped with French Thales-built Catherine-FC thermal sights and Russian Kontakt-5 K-5 explosive-reactive armor plates, which further enhance its primary armor composed of laminated plates and ceramic layers with high tensile properties.

T-90 BHISMA


 This formidable T-90S boasts dimensions of 9.63 meters in length, 3.73 meters in width, and 2.22 meters in height, with an approximate weight of 46 tonnes. Its advanced design incorporates an automatic loader, eliminating the need for a manual loader, and it operates effectively with a crew of three individuals, including the commander, gunner, and driver.

 In December 2007, a third contract marked a significant milestone with the production of 347 upgraded T-90M tanks, the majority of which were assembled at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, Tamil Nadu. The T-90M introduced the cutting-edge 'Kaktus K-6' bolted explosive reactive armor (ERA) package, an improved environmental control system sourced from Israel's Kinetics Ltd, and additional internal space to house state-of-the-art thermal imagers like the THALES-built Catherine-FC, operating within the 8–12 micrometer bandwidth.

 These continuous advancements and collaborations have solidified the T-90 as a formidable and versatile asset within India's armored warfare capabilities, ensuring it remains at the forefront of modern tank technology.

 

In response to the India-China Standoff in Ladakh, the Indian Army has strategically deployed both T-72 Ajeya and T-90 Bhisma tanks to strengthen its defensive capabilities and ensure the security of the region. These tanks play a critical role in safeguarding India's borders and interests in the challenging terrain of Ladakh.