According to recent reports from local Indian media, Russia has offered its new T-14 Armata tanks to the Indian Army, intensifying its efforts to supply the armored vehicles as a replacement for the older T-72s currently in service under the Next Generation Main Battle Tank (NGMBT) program. Specifically, the proposal includes the possibility of involving India’s military-industrial complex in the manufacturing process, which has already received approval from the Russian manufacturer Uralvagonzavod.
Expanding on the details, Russia’s intention is to allow the T-14 Armata tanks to be produced under the Make in India program, which would encourage significant investments from New Delhi aimed at strengthening its domestic military-industrial capabilities. In particular, the proposal suggests up to 70% of the prototype manufacturing costs could be financed by the Indian government, in exchange for technology transfers and support for local production lines. Among the primary candidates for partnering with the Russian firm is India’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), followed by other public sector enterprises.
It is worth noting that India and Uralvagonzavod already have a history of successful cooperation in tank production for the Indian Army. In this regard, the agreement for the licensed production of T-90S tanks (known locally as the T-90 Bhishma) stands out, with the Indian industry contributing a significant share of indigenous technology.
In terms of technical specifications, the T-14 Armata represents Russia’s most advanced main battle tank, although it has not yet entered large-scale service. The tank is distinguished by its fully automated turret, which allows the crew to remain protected in an armored capsule located at the front of the hull. It is armed with a powerful 125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore gun capable of firing various types of ammunition. Additionally, the tank is equipped with Malachit reactive armor for enhanced protection, complemented by the Afghanit active protection system designed to detect and intercept incoming threats.
According to the reports, the T-14 Armata weighs approximately 55 tons, has an estimated range of up to 500 kilometers, and can reach maximum speeds between 75 and 80 km/h. It is specifically engineered to operate under a wide range of harsh climatic conditions, including extreme temperatures and challenging terrain. These capabilities contribute to a current unit cost estimated between 30 and 40 million rupees, which could potentially be reduced by about 10 million rupees through local Indian industrial participation.
Images used for illustrative purposes only.
You may also like: Russian Aerospace Forces’ Su-35S Fighters Deployed in Ukraine Reportedly Equipped with the New R-77M Air-to-Air Missile
