India ramps up military modernization with $6.3 billion boost
The Ministry of Defence of India has received the green light to implement several crucial programs to enhance the country's military strength. One initiative focuses on modernizing T-90S "Bhishma" tanks.
According to Reuters, India's Defence Acquisition Council has granted preliminary approval for the procurement of weapons and equipment valued at approximately $6.3 billion.
This investment will be directed towards boosting the capabilities of India's armed forces and funding initiatives such as additional torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare for the Indian Navy, aerial early warning and control systems for the Indian Air Force, and the modernization of T-90 tanks.
India to modernize T-90S "Bhishma" tanks
Revealed details indicate that the plan includes acquiring more powerful engines for the tanks. The T-90S "Bhishma" is a variant of the Russian T-90S specifically tailored to meet the needs of the Indian army.
While detailed information hasn't been disclosed, reports suggest that after modernization, the T-90S "Bhishma" tanks will be equipped with engines boasting 1,350 horsepower, replacing the current units with 1,000 horsepower. The armament will remain the same, continuing to feature the 2A46M-3 smoothbore gun with a calibre of 125 mm.
India looks at neighbours and draws lessons from the war in Ukraine
The EurAsian Times portal notes that there are currently about 1,300 T-90 tanks in Indian stockpiles, mostly the T-90S "Bhishma" models.
The planned modernization aims to significantly enhance the power-to-weight ratio, thereby improving the mobility and readiness of the tanks for operations in challenging terrains, including mountainous regions. The portal suggests that these plans not only reflect India's intent to match the armaments of China and Pakistan but also result from drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine, which highlighted the vulnerabilities of tanks.
More powerful engines in the T-90S "Bhishma" will ensure that these machines are no longer inferior to the newer T-90MS "Bhiszma Mk. III," which uses engines with a power of 1,130 horsepower.
In 2019, India signed a contract for the licensed production of 464 units of T-90MS "Bhiszma Mk. III," but so far, only a small fraction of them has been delivered to the army.
