Chennai: India on Monday rolled out its first indigenously manufactured T-90 Bhishma tank. Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju flagged off the tank at the rolling out ceremony held at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, near Chennai.
The T-90 tank has been produced under license from Russia. The localised licensed production of the Russian made tanks started in 2008 after India resolved the stalemate over the transfer of technology of the tanks.
India had signed a deal with Russia to supply 310 T-90s in 2001. Of these, 186 were assembled from kits at the Heavy Vehicles Factory. Later on, an agreement was also signed for the licensed production of another 1,000 T-90s.
This, however, was delayed due to Russia’s reluctance to transfer technology, prompting India to purchase another 300 tanks from the country last year.
The Indian Army is also slated to conduct competitive trials between the T-90 and MBT Arjun tanks from October.
"The Army will complete training its personnel on the MBT Arjun by September. So, we can start the trials by October," officials said.
The T-90 tank incorporates several new technologies in terms of mobility, protection, fighting capabilities, safety and communication.
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