T-90 Bhishma / T-72 Ajeya of Indian Army : News and Discussions

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Indigenously developed protective covering for T-72 tanks of Indian Army

PUNE: As many as 2,500 T-72 tanks of the Indian Army will soon be equipped with an indigenously developedprotective covering to ensure safety from enemy tank fire.
Top Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) officials told TOI on Friday that the tanks will be equipped with the advanced version of Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) Mk-II for effective protection. "Besides, the will also result in saving of huge foreign exchange," they said.

Presently, the T-72 tanks of the Indian army are fitted with ERA Mk I. To get better protection for the tanks, the Indian Army had put forth its demand for advanced version of the ERA in 2010 to the DRDO.

The development of ERA Mk-II was thus undertaken by the DRDO in 2011 with city-based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory as a nodal lab in association with the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory.

The DRDO officials said the user trials of the ERA Mk-II were carried out in four phases from November 2015 to January 2016. "During these trials, ERA Mk-II was evaluated against 84mm heat, 125mm heat, Milan warhead and AMK- 339 ammunition," they added.

The officials said, "With improved explosive properties and armour materials, the performance of ERA Mk-II against shaped charge warheads and kinetic energy projectiles was excellent and better than ERA Mk- I."

"Army officers have also evaluated various performance parameters, like mobility, turret traverse, gun stabilisation among others as per the trial directives. All the requirements were met during the user evaluation," the officials added.

A top DRDO official, who did not wish to be named, told TOI, "Adaption of ERA Mk-II will significantly enhance the protection level of tanks. Thus, the Army wants advanced version for T-72 first and they will equip this system to their T- 90 and Arjun MK-II in the near future."

The official said the weight of reactive panel is similar of ERA MK- I. It means, it will not put any additional weight on the tank.

Commenting on ERA's role, a senior army officer said, "The main task of the ERA is to reduce the penetration of shaped charge warheads and KE projectiles, thereby, ensuring the non-perforation of tank armour and protection of the crew within. Positively, the newly developed ERA has achieved all necessary requirements during the trials."

The DRDO aims to start the mass production of the ERA after Transfer of Technology (ToT) to private defence manufacturers. "We will complete the process once we finalise manufacturers in the next few months," sources from the DRDO said.
 
Indian MoD to Buy BMP Infantry Combat Vehicles worth $173.5 Million

The Indian MoD has approved the procurement of Infantry Combat Vehicle (BMPs-2/2k) worth INR 1125 Crore (USD 173.5 million) from the Indian Factory Board (IFB).

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) gave the go-ahead to the procurement of an unspecified number of vehicles for the army’s infantry corps yesterday.

The BMP 2/2K combat vehicles are produced by the OFB under licence from the Russian firm Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty.

The BMP-2/K is the command variant fitted with two whip antennas, one IFF antenna and a support for a telescopic mast in the front of the IFF antenna. The radio equipment consists ether of the R-123M and R-130M radio sets, or the more modern R-173, R-126 and R-10. The crew consists of six men.
 
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T-72 with ERA Mk-1
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T-72 with ERA Mk-2
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EXPLOSIVE REACTIVE ARMOUR
 
Old news :D

But no money coming to armed forces for critical acquisition/upgrades.

No difference between the present dispensation and the previous one. With fiscal targets missing their goals by a margin and then some, and Indian Government Bond Rates approaching higher levels of 7.7% and climbing .... need I say more?

It is troubling that people don't see the major derailment taking place in defence, thanks to three clueless defence ministers in four years. It is even more troubling that if we see off this lot, what we get is truly terrifying. St. Antony back and fretting for action; this time, he'll probably want to close down an entire service, not just a capability or a weapon system.
 
Old news :D

But no money coming to armed forces for critical acquisition/upgrades.

No difference between the present dispensation and the previous one. With fiscal targets missing their goals by a margin and then some, and Indian Government Bond Rates approaching higher levels of 7.7% and climbing .... need I say more?

At the end of the day, as we saw happening in Kargil, as we see happening on the LOC, the PBI will have to die in company strength at a time to pull the politician's chestnuts (or other nuts) out of the fire.
 
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India started manufacturing of T-90 and T-72 tank engine. The enginesV-46-6 and V92S2, that power the T-72 Ajeya tank and the T-90 Bhishma tank, , are 100% manufactured by OFB.

Made in India’ tank engines handed over to the Army

1532938842845.jpg


STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, JULY 28, 2018 22:39 IST

UPDATED: JULY 28, 2018 22:39 IST

We can produce our own products: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, handed over two fully indigenous battle tank engines, V-46-6 and V92S2, that power the T-72 Ajeya tank and the T-90 Bhishma tank, produced by the Engine Factory Avadi (EFA), a unit of Ordnance Factory Board, to the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

She said the “indigenisation of two of the three types of tanks used by the Army, had made the Army battle-ready”. The effort has resulted in savings for the exchequer to the tune of ₹33 lakh for the T-90 engine and ₹9.75 lakh for the T-72 engine.

Speaking on the importance of improving the manufacturing sector in the country, Ms. Sitharaman said: “We have the capability and talent to produce and manufacture our own products, but we continue to import. This is why Prime Minister Modi started ‘Make In India’.”

Ms. Sitharaman also underlined the importance of manufacturing defence products used by the armed forces. “If we keep importing parts for defence equipment, it might end up being a stumbling block to India’s security. The equipment and parts may not be available when necessary, or servicing could become difficult. The Engine Factory Avadi has shown that it is possible to manufacture engines and other equipment all by ourselves,” she said.

“If we reach a stage where we can produce quality complex technological systems in India, the businesses will come to us automatically,” she said. So far, India has been depending on the Russian Federation for certain critical assemblies like the turbocharger, supercharger, fuel injection pumps, etc. “Why should we go outside if we can buy quality products here in India?”

Anil Kumar, GM, EFA, promised the Defence Minister that the UTD-20 engine would also be indigenised by the end of this fiscal year.

The EFA has manufactured more than 12,000 engines since its inception in 1987 for the Indian Army.
 
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India started manufacturing of T-90 and T-72 tank engine. The enginesV-46-6 and V92S2, that power the T-72 Ajeya tank and the T-90 Bhishma tank, , are 100% manufactured by OFB.

Made in India’ tank engines handed over to the Army

View attachment 2937

STAFF REPORTER

CHENNAI, JULY 28, 2018 22:39 IST

UPDATED: JULY 28, 2018 22:39 IST

We can produce our own products: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday, handed over two fully indigenous battle tank engines, V-46-6 and V92S2, that power the T-72 Ajeya tank and the T-90 Bhishma tank, produced by the Engine Factory Avadi (EFA), a unit of Ordnance Factory Board, to the Vice Chief of Army Staff.

She said the “indigenisation of two of the three types of tanks used by the Army, had made the Army battle-ready”. The effort has resulted in savings for the exchequer to the tune of ₹33 lakh for the T-90 engine and ₹9.75 lakh for the T-72 engine.

Speaking on the importance of improving the manufacturing sector in the country, Ms. Sitharaman said: “We have the capability and talent to produce and manufacture our own products, but we continue to import. This is why Prime Minister Modi started ‘Make In India’.”

Ms. Sitharaman also underlined the importance of manufacturing defence products used by the armed forces. “If we keep importing parts for defence equipment, it might end up being a stumbling block to India’s security. The equipment and parts may not be available when necessary, or servicing could become difficult. The Engine Factory Avadi has shown that it is possible to manufacture engines and other equipment all by ourselves,” she said.

“If we reach a stage where we can produce quality complex technological systems in India, the businesses will come to us automatically,” she said. So far, India has been depending on the Russian Federation for certain critical assemblies like the turbocharger, supercharger, fuel injection pumps, etc. “Why should we go outside if we can buy quality products here in India?”

Anil Kumar, GM, EFA, promised the Defence Minister that the UTD-20 engine would also be indigenised by the end of this fiscal year.

The EFA has manufactured more than 12,000 engines since its inception in 1987 for the Indian Army.

 
India's Home-Made Breathing Apparatus to Enable 45-min Deep Fording of T-90

The apparatus will enable T-90 tank crews to conduct deep fording for at least 45 minutes. State-owned defense lab DRDO is expected to transfer the technology to the private sector for mass production, following which they will be made available to the army starting 2019.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Crews of the Indian army's T-90 tank are set to equip themselves with major war-fighting apparatus used while crossing rivers or water canals in the rough Himalayan terrain. The equipment will make them capable to operate submerged tanks continuously for at least 45 minutes during deep fording.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Tuesday accorded approval for progressing design and development of such equipment, known as individual underwater breathing apparatus (IUWBA), for T-90 tanks.

"Developed by DRDO Lab DEBEL, the IUWBA is used by the crew of tanks as a safety gear and is required by the tank crew for emergency escape when negotiating water obstacles while deep fording," a statement issued by the Indian Defense Ministry reads.

During deep fording, in the eventuality of the tank stalling mid-crossing, there is no alternative for the crew but to flood the tank to escape from the fighting/driver compartments of the tank and reach the surface of the water as per the enunciated emergency escape procedure.
The Indian army has put forth an annual requirement of 2,000 units of underwater breathing equipment with effect from 2019-20, while in total it will purchase 6,628 units of such equipment. The state-owned defense lab DRDO is expected to transfer the technology to the private sector for mass production. Companies like Flash forge, Jyotech, Sure Safety (India) Pvt Ltd, Osho Corp Global Pvt Ltd, H&H Precision Pvt Ltd have positively responded to the proposal for mass production.

The IUWBA, which will be a separate apparatus, will weigh around 5 kg. The equipment will retain its efficiency when stored at temperature ranging from —5 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius.

The Indian Defense Ministry has also accorded approval for design and development of test equipment for guided weapons systems of the T-90 tank. At present, the equipment is imported from foreign firms.

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@Hellfire

When will we ever get any actual modern hard-hitting APFSDS? You know, stuff that can penetrate 800+mm RHA, not the 80s era Mangoes.

I suppose the T-90s can at least carry Lekalos. But I guess we don't have any if we are still buying Mangoes, let alone the Svinets.
 
India's Home-Made Breathing Apparatus to Enable 45-min Deep Fording of T-90

The apparatus will enable T-90 tank crews to conduct deep fording for at least 45 minutes. State-owned defense lab DRDO is expected to transfer the technology to the private sector for mass production, following which they will be made available to the army starting 2019.

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Crews of the Indian army's T-90 tank are set to equip themselves with major war-fighting apparatus used while crossing rivers or water canals in the rough Himalayan terrain. The equipment will make them capable to operate submerged tanks continuously for at least 45 minutes during deep fording.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Tuesday accorded approval for progressing design and development of such equipment, known as individual underwater breathing apparatus (IUWBA), for T-90 tanks.

"Developed by DRDO Lab DEBEL, the IUWBA is used by the crew of tanks as a safety gear and is required by the tank crew for emergency escape when negotiating water obstacles while deep fording," a statement issued by the Indian Defense Ministry reads.

During deep fording, in the eventuality of the tank stalling mid-crossing, there is no alternative for the crew but to flood the tank to escape from the fighting/driver compartments of the tank and reach the surface of the water as per the enunciated emergency escape procedure.
The Indian army has put forth an annual requirement of 2,000 units of underwater breathing equipment with effect from 2019-20, while in total it will purchase 6,628 units of such equipment. The state-owned defense lab DRDO is expected to transfer the technology to the private sector for mass production. Companies like Flash forge, Jyotech, Sure Safety (India) Pvt Ltd, Osho Corp Global Pvt Ltd, H&H Precision Pvt Ltd have positively responded to the proposal for mass production.

The IUWBA, which will be a separate apparatus, will weigh around 5 kg. The equipment will retain its efficiency when stored at temperature ranging from —5 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius.

The Indian Defense Ministry has also accorded approval for design and development of test equipment for guided weapons systems of the T-90 tank. At present, the equipment is imported from foreign firms.

DnYQhrLX0AAKQz4.jpg

Check out about Operation Sea Lion of the Germans during WW2. They had converted few tanks to be driven along the sea bed.

Any idea on how deep our T-90s can wade? What Sea State can they do it in?
 
Never it seems. The Government can't seem to get it's act together. No funds is the favorite mantra. But DRDO and OFB are getting a kick.

How much money is required to buy some Lekalo from Russia anyway? Considering our T-90s can indeed carry anything bigger than the Mango.

I hope the T-90MS comes with Svinets. And I hope the army is considering the 2A82 for the next batch of upgrades with the Vacuum. If we don't work on these upgrades now, we will fall behind any potential Pakistani gun upgrade in the near future. I have no idea why we are entering the post 2020 world with Mangoes. And the 2025-27 time frame for the FRCV is completely unrealistic.
 
These are slightly better than the Mangoes, but are license produced Israeli IMI rounds. And we blacklisted IMI long ago, so AFAIK we are not producing these rounds anymore.
IMI was blacklisted in 2010-11. But this was done later. If India knows the formula of the propellant, then India can make it on its own. There is no need to wait for anyone to approve.

Here was RFP issued to private companies for APFSDS in 2017:
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If India did not have technology of making it, there would have been no RFP.
 
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IMI was blacklisted in 2010-11. But this was done later. If India knows the formula of the propellant, then India can make it on its own. There is no need to wait for anyone to approve.

Here was RFP issued to private companies for APFSDS in 2017:
View attachment 3182

If India did not have technology of making it, there would have been no RFP.

IMI is still blacklisted.
 
IMI is still blacklisted.
That is why I said that it was developed by DRDO and India has the technology to make it on its own. These are not IMI ones. The RFP for private companies show that DRDO is ready for Technology transfer. No country will give advanced FSAPDS rounds to be made in India and hence the production will be based on DRDO technology
 
IMI was blacklisted in 2010-11. But this was done later. If India knows the formula of the propellant, then India can make it on its own. There is no need to wait for anyone to approve.

Here was RFP issued to private companies for APFSDS in 2017:
View attachment 3182

If India did not have technology of making it, there would have been no RFP.

The FSAPDS bid was cancelled a few months ago. We are manufacturing Mangoes instead. Successful testing was conducted only last week.