India plans to export aging T-72 tanks

[Zarvan]

Photo by cell105

India is planning to sell off its fleet of T-72 tanks as part of a broader effort to modernize its military, phasing out the aging Russian-made tanks in favor of more advanced options.

The Indian Army, which has approximately 2,500 T-72 tanks, has decided to upgrade and refurbish the older models for export to interested countries.

A senior official revealed that the tanks would undergo refurbishment in India before being shipped to international buyers. “The tanks will be modernized before export, allowing countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia to benefit from these combat vehicles,” said the official. The T-72 has been the backbone of the Indian Army’s armored forces since the 1970s, and many nations have expressed interest in acquiring the vehicles as India looks to retire them from service.


India began producing the T-72 in the 1980s at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, near Chennai, after initially purchasing 500 units from the Soviet Union. The same facility also produces modernized T-90 tanks. Now, it will serve as the base for overhauling the T-72s intended for export.

Technical collaboration between Indian and Russian experts is ongoing to ensure the successful refurbishment of these tanks. The move could open doors for exporting other surplus military equipment, such as Russian-made BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), which are also slated for modernization.

Despite the T-72 being the most numerous tank in India’s arsenal, the Indian Army also operates around 1,000 T-90 tanks and about 100 indigenous Arjun tanks.

 

[FHN]

Photo by cell105

India is planning to sell off its fleet of T-72 tanks as part of a broader effort to modernize its military, phasing out the aging Russian-made tanks in favor of more advanced options.

The Indian Army, which has approximately 2,500 T-72 tanks, has decided to upgrade and refurbish the older models for export to interested countries.

A senior official revealed that the tanks would undergo refurbishment in India before being shipped to international buyers. “The tanks will be modernized before export, allowing countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia to benefit from these combat vehicles,” said the official. The T-72 has been the backbone of the Indian Army’s armored forces since the 1970s, and many nations have expressed interest in acquiring the vehicles as India looks to retire them from service.


India began producing the T-72 in the 1980s at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, near Chennai, after initially purchasing 500 units from the Soviet Union. The same facility also produces modernized T-90 tanks. Now, it will serve as the base for overhauling the T-72s intended for export.

Technical collaboration between Indian and Russian experts is ongoing to ensure the successful refurbishment of these tanks. The move could open doors for exporting other surplus military equipment, such as Russian-made BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), which are also slated for modernization.

Despite the T-72 being the most numerous tank in India’s arsenal, the Indian Army also operates around 1,000 T-90 tanks and about 100 indigenous Arjun tanks.

Who will be the potential buyers? Would be funny if they sell them back to russia

 

[TheAmerican]

Who will be the potential buyers? Would be funny if they sell them back to russia

India does not dare.

Any such thoughts will lead to US severely sanctioning India.

 

[FHN]

India does not dare.

Any such thoughts will lead to US severely sanctioning India.

You are right on that

 

[onlinpunit]

These could be converted into SPH. There was already a program..

 

[GatlingGun]

These could be converted into SPH. There was already a program..

Namica is better than Arty .

 

[Pingle]

This is just Vaporware

Who in their right mind would buy this hunk of scrap, we ourselves are barely keeping these things alive.

Maybe some poor countries in central Africa? These tanks are still deadly and will be useful against insurgency in those countries....

 

[sutton9999]

eventually, all appear in Ukraine,

 

[Pingle]

But I don't think we are planning to phase out all of T-72s.... only some from very old batches.... T-72 still forms a backbone of our armored core....

 

[AjayGhatak]

Who will be the potential buyers? Would be funny if they sell them back to russia

Actually its surprising very much likely. Russia gets tanks and pays using its money stuck in Indian banks.

 

[AjayGhatak]

eventually, all appear in Ukraine,

Very very much possible.

 

[AjayGhatak]

India does not dare.

Any such thoughts will lead to US severely sanctioning India.

There are ways around it. India will sell it for scrap to some private party who will bring it to Russia. Similar to how China bought its carrier from Russia.

 

[Justin TruDont]

Their were reports in early 2023 about India handing over their surplus T-72 and T55 to Russia . With Youtube videos shot by Ukrainians showing Russian tanks with Indian Regimental Markings

If you google present armored formations of India, You will find that as of now india has 1950 T-72 Tanks in 34 Regiments which is down from 42 in 2015, while T90 Regiments have gone up from 16 to 22

In 2019, India signed a deal with Russia for liscence manufacturing of 457 T-90MS mark III with delivery having just started this year .

In my opinion India has likely already sold of 468 T-72 and 550 T-55 tanks which it had in storage , with these being replaced by T-90 MK3 and Zoravar Light Tanks , and this news piece is just an acknowledgement of the same.

 

[AjayGhatak]

Their were reports in early 2023 about India handing over their surplus T-72 and T55 to Russia . With Youtube videos shot by Ukrainians showing Russian tanks with Indian Regimental Markings

If you google present armored formations of India, You will find that as of now india has 1950 T-72 Tanks in 34 Regiments which is down from 42 in 2015, while T90 Regiments have gone up from 16 to 22

In 2019, India signed a deal with Russia for liscence manufacturing of 457 T-90MS mark III with delivery having just started this year .

In my opinion India has likely already sold of 468 T-72 and 550 T-55 tanks which it had in storage , with these being replaced by T-90 MK3 and Zoravar Light Tanks , and this news piece is just an acknowledgement of the same.

Very very much possible.

 

[Yasser76]

Had to check my calandar, it's not April 1st....