DTN News: India rolls out locally-built Russian tanks

DTN News: India rolls out locally-built Russian tanks *Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - August 25, 2009: India on Monday unveiled a first batch of 10 tanks built locally under licence from Russia and said it planned to manufacture 100 such units every year. India has already acquired nearly 700 T-90 tanks as part of a 2001 deal with Russia that also included local production of more units through a technology transfer pact. The T-90S entered service with the Russian Army in 1992. In February 2001, the Indian Army signed a contract for 310 T-90S tanks. 124 were completed in Russia and the rest are being delivered in 'knocked down / semi-knocked down' form for final assembly in India. The first of these was delivered in January 2004. The locally assembled tanks are christened 'Bhishma'. The tanks are fitted with the Shtora self-protection system and Catherine thermal imagers from Thales of France and Peleng of Belarus. "The T-90S Russian tank represents an increase in firepower, mobility and protection." In January 2005, it was announced that a further 91 T-90S tanks would be procured for the Russian Army, although this number was later reduced. Deliveries are underway. By November 2007, it has been estimated that the Russian Army has around 200 T-90 tanks. In August 2007, Thales was awarded a contract to supply 100 of these with the Catherine FC thermal imager. In March 2006, Algeria signed a contract for the supply of 180 T-90S tanks from Uralvagonzavod, to be delivered by 2011. In November 2006, India ordered a further 300 T-90 tanks, to be licence-built by heavy vehicle factory (HVF), Avadi. Production has been delayed due to technology transfer problems but is expected to begin by the end of 2008. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said each of the Indian-built tanks would cost up to 150 million rupees (three million dollars). “The tank has advanced protection system to protect crew and equipment from chemical, biological and radioactive nuclear attack,” a DRDO statement said after the rollout from a state-run facility in southern Chennai city. Junior Defence Minister Pallam Raju hailed the deliveries as an “important milestone”, the Press Trust of India reported. “The overall objective is to ensure self-sufficiency in defence preparedness to the maximum possible extent,” Raju added. Russia, which supplies 70 percent of India’s military hardware, has also helped its long-time ally to locally build a nuclear-powered submarine which was put on sea trials last month.