DSEI 2017: India’s OFB expects IA order for
700 T-90S tanks in 2018
Samuel Cranny-Evans - IHS Jane's Defence
Weekly
15 September 2017
India’s state-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) expects
to receive an order in early 2018 to licence-build a total of 700 T-90S main
battle tanks (MBTs) for the Indian Army (IA) by 2022, R K Khanna, the OFB’s
director general, told Jane’s on 15 September at the Defence and Security
Equipment International (DSEI) 2017 exhibition in London.
The order will provide the IA with enough tanks to equip
two new regiments and replace the retired T-55 MBTs. The move will also allow
the OFB to increase its production share of the tank to 96% by manufacturing
most of the electronics and mission systems, said Khanna, adding that a few essential
elements will remain with external suppliers for the time being.
The OFB has completed a technology transfer from Russia
for the tank, which is designated the Bhishma in Indian service, and is already
capable of manufacturing 74% of it without external assistance.
The order, which is expected to be placed in April next
year, will require a maximum capacity effort to produce 140 tanks a year and
meet the completion date in 2022, Khanna added.
Plans are also afoot for the ‘Bhishma 2’, which is a
comprehensive upgrade programme proposed for the T-90S and also forms part of
the 700 platform order. The upgrade will include the installation of a new
panoramic sight and fire-control system for the tank commander, along with the
installation of a completely digital architecture to ensure that the tank can
be upgraded in the future.
Original post: janes.com
Related articles:
T-90A/S MBT: Details
No comments:
Post a Comment