Updating India's T-72 MBT Fleet

The Indian Army fields nearly 2,000 T- 72M1s (Ajeya), most of them indigenously manufactured. By 1986, the limitations of the Soviet design became apparent and the Indians embarked on the first stage of “Operation Rhino,” primarily to update the fire control system. The first 50 tanks came off the assembly line in 1987 at $835,000 apiece, but budgetary limitations delayed continuation of this project until 1990. The shortcomings of the ARJUN project have renewed emphasis on the Ajeya upgrade program. Military sources say that one third of the Ajeyas in service will be completely retrofitted, with the remainder receiving partial upgrades, depending on their condition and serviceability. The fully upgraded Ajeyas will receive modern fire control systems and 840-hp diesel engines, as well as reactive armor, which is claimed to reduce ATGM effectiveness up to 80 percent, and a gyro-stabilized land navigation system. Night fighting capabilities will also be improved. Apparently, a select group of Rhinos will receive thermal imaging systems and will be capable of firing the SS B 119M “Svir” ATGM. The 1993 “Svir” cost of $45,000 made 30 rounds equivalent in cost to an entire T-72. While the Russian basic load of “Svir” is four rounds, the Indians appear ready to issue six. In late April 97, Russia also publicly offered India the Arena active defense system for its Ajeya fleet. The Russians claimed the system would double the tank’s survival rate against Pakistan’s planned purchase of 320 T-80UD tanks, though retrofitting of the system would increase the cost of the ongoing T-72 tank upgrade project by 10 to 25 percent. Other Russian sources figure the Arena’s cost to be 20 percent of a T-80’s export price (or $400,000 U. S. in ’95-’96). The current plan is to fit an initial 500 T- 72M1s (nine regiments) with the system, with the remaining 1,500 equipped if and when funds become available. Since the cancellation of the 1996 Winter Firing Exercises, the Indian Army has acquired 250 Simfire training systems for Ajeya gunnery and tactical training. 1LT Geibel is the Tactical Intelligence Officer, 5/117th Cavalry, 42 ID (NJARNG). In civilian life, he is the Associate Editor of the JOURNAL OF MILITARY ORDNANCE and a freelance writer. ARMOR — 35

Crew: 3 Combat Weight: 44,500 kg. Ground Pressure: 0.90kg/cm2 Engine: V-12 MFI, 840 hp @ 2000 RPM Fuel Capacity: 1000 ltr Maximum Speed: 60 km/h Range: 480 km w/o long range fuel tanks, 550 km w/long range fuel tanks. Transmission: Synchromesh, hydraulically assisted, w/7 forward and 1 reverse gear. Steering: Clutch and brake Suspension: Torsion bar Electrical System: 24V Gradient: 60% Side Slope: 40% Vertical Obstacle: 0.85m. Trench Crossing: 2.28m wide. Armament: 125mm gun w/45 rounds (6

7.62mm Coax w/2000 rounds 12.7 mm AAMG w/300 rounds Gun Elevation/Depression: -6 to + 14x Smoke Grenade Launchers: 4 x 2 Updating India’s T-72 MBT Fleet Upgrades, Retrofits Are Preparing India’s Large T-72 Force For the Next Century duction into the army. One reported government-sanctioned figure for Arjun development and the upgrade of the nation’s T-72M1s (with most going to the Arjun) at $1.12 billion (U. S.), spread out over the next three to five years. Despite promises made by the Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram, that lack of funds would not come in the way of India’s defense needs, some officials were skeptical over deadlines being maintained by the factory and subcontractors. The result would be not only a cost escalation due to the effects of inflation but also an adverse impact on defense preparedness. Detractors think that (baring drastic changes) the country’s progressively shrinking defense budget, coupled with the persistent technical problems, would delay any serious Arjun serial production until 2002/2004. In early August, General Choudhury promised officers and soldiers of the 13th Armored Regiment that the Arjun would enter production soon. Less than two months later, DRDO was shaken by the desertion of scores of military scientists and engineers lured to the more lucrative private sector, thus jeopardizing the Arjun project’s success. As of 18 September, the Indian Parliament approved a 250 billion Rupee ($6.9 Billion) Five-Year Defense Budget. In this 1997-2002 budget, some 40 Billion has been allocated for the Ajeya rebuild program, and another 1 Billion Rupees for the first 100 Arjuns. Footnotes The Soviet Union has been the primary supplier of MBT’s to India since the ‘60s, but since 1990 the supply of spare parts from Russia has been questionable (the Indian Air Force’s MiG fleet is also suffering from this problem). Local production started in 1979 as a response to the Arjun’s slow development and to stimulate supporting industries in India’s economy. The DRDO has also produced versions of the BMP-2 and the “Ajeya” (a T-72M1). There have been plans to retrofit India’s “Ajeya” fleet with the “Arjun’s” updated FCS as time and funds permit, starting in 1986- 87. Furthermore, in May 1997 the Russians offered the “Arena” active defense system to India. Presumably, the Arjun could be fitted with this suite as well. * One source claims that, as of 1997, there exists a total of 17 prototypes and 20 pre-production vehicles, with the first pre-production vehicle delivered in 1988.