Army Equipment
By some counts India's armored vehicle holdings are nearly twice that of Pakistan, yet India’s inventory consists of obsolescent models such as the Vijayanta and the T-55. Many of these tanks are in disrepair and in storage. The problems with the program to develop an indigenous tank, the Arjun, is one reason that maintenance, overhauls and upgrades for other Indian tanks have not been fully funded.
As of 1995 the army was reportedly equipped with some 3,400 main battle tanks. Of these, 1,200 were indigenously manufactured Vijayanta tanks. Additionally, the army has some T-55, T-72, and PT-76 tanks.
In the aftermath of Operations Vijay and Safed Sagar in Kashmir in 1999, Indian defence planners went on a spending spree for conventional equipment purchases for the country’s armed services.
As of early 1999 it was estimated that 37 of India's 58 armored regiments [battalions] were equipped with around 1,700 T-72s and T-72M1s [built locally under licence], 12 with some 540 Vijayantas and nine with over 400 T-55s. A May 2000 report affirmed that the T-72M1s were in service with around 37 of the Army’s 58 armor regiments.
Another estimate in early 2002 counted a total of 63 armor regiments, including 35 regiments with the T-72M1 (@ 55 tank each, 1900+ total), 14 regiments with the Vijayanta (@ 72 tanks each, 1000+ total), 13 regiments with the T-55 (@ 55 tanks each, 700+ total), and one Arjun Mk.1 regiment. It should be apparent that these estimates cannot be readily reconciled, given the unlikelihood that holdings of elderly Vijayanta and T-55 tanks would have increased [rather than decreased] during this time. However, another authoritative estimate reported that the number of T-55s in service increased from 500 in 1997 to 700 in 1999, while also reporting that the T-55s were being retired slowly.
As of early 2002 India was estimated to have between 3,300 and 4,900 tanks [the higher number includes as many as 1,500 older tanks in storage]. Estimating India's armored vehicle inventory presents unique definitional challenges, given the large fraction of total holdings that are "in storage" and unlikely to be available for combat operations.
As of 2001 it was estimated that the T-90 tanks expenditure committed is Rs.10,000 crores. On 120 Arjun tanks, the expenditure is going to be Rs.2,500 crores. The updgradation of T-72 will cost us Rs.1,000 crores.
Vijayanta MBT
While exact numbers are not available, around 500-1000 Vijayanta MBT (the Vickers MBT locally retrofitted with a 105 mm gun) are in service and another 1000 are kept in store. The over-hauling of the Vijayanta fleet was discontinued in 1999. The Vijayanta tanks are to be phased out by the end of 10th Army plan i.e. by 2007. These are being replaced by indigenously produced T-72 tanks and procurement of T-90S tanks ex-import. Vijayanta tanks were inducted in the Army from 1966 onwards and a total of 2141 such tanks was in service. These tanks have outlived their expected life and, hence, were in the process of being phased out.
As of 2000 the army planned to phase out the Vijayantas and T-55s by 2010, replacing them with upgraded T-72M1s and T-90s.
T-55 MBT
The Project Gulmohar upgrade program for the T-55 MBT was almost complete as of late 1999. Some reports claim that most of India’s T-55s have not been upgraded, and that over 90 percent of India’s T-54/T-55 inventory is considered non-operational. The 700+ in service [another 200 are in storage] were expected to remain in service through 2015. In 2001 the Army decided to phase out the T-55 over seven years and replace them with upgraded T-72M1 MBTs.
As of 2000 the army planned to phase out the T-55s by 2010, replacing them with upgraded T-72M1s and T-90s. However, by 2005 it had been decided that the T-55 tanks held by the Indian Army were to remain in service up till 2017. The second overhaul of these tanks was to commence in 2000. Between 1999-2000 and 2003-2004, 450 tanks were to be overhauled at the rate of 90 per annum. Against this, 512 ABW overhauled only 285 tanks or 63 per cent of the tanks. This had an adverse impact on the operational readiness of large number of tanks that are due for overhaul.
T-72M1
Licensed production of the T-72M1 Ajeya at Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) Avadi ended in 1998, and over a 15-year period more than 1,100 tanks were produced. According to some reports at least 70 percent of the T-72 inventory is not considered fully battleworthy. Summer is a difficult season for armored formations. Temperatures inside the T-72 Ajeya main battle tank rise upwards of 60° Celsius in the summer heat, and as of mid-2002 the Army had only just started receiving imported ice-packed vests. The T-72 also suffers from high levels of heat-related engine problems. The Indian army has a program to upgraded 1,500 T-72MIs by enhancing their power packs, fire control systems, night fighting capability and the tank's ability to fire fin stabilising discarding Sabot rounds. This program has been delayed by the start-up of local production of the T-90.
T-90S MBT
A contract was signed in 2001 with M/s Rosovoorouzhenie, Russia for the import of 124 fully formed T-90S Bhisma tanks and 186 tanks in completely knocked down (CKD)/semi knocked down (SKD) condition along with transfer of technology for indigenous manufacture in India. The new Russian T-90 tanks being delivered in kits which will be assembled in India. The fully formed 124 T-90 tanks will cost over Rs 1400 crore while the 186 semi knocked down and completely knocked down tanks over Rs 2225 crore. With the induction of 124 fully formed imported tanks and production of 186 tanks through Semi-Knocked Down and Completely Knocked Down kits, followed by indigenous production of 1000 tanks, T-90 is expected to be the Main Battle Tank (MBT) of the Army till the end of the XII Plan.
Arjun MBT
The Arjun main battle tank has been under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) since 1983. To complement indigenous production, in 1994 Russia agreed to help India modernize its T-72 tanks and to sell and lease other types of weapons. It is generally understood that about 70 percent of India's military equipment is of Soviet origin. Some army officials continue to favor Russian-made equipment, such as the T-72 tank, over Indian adaptations of the same items, such as the T-72M1 tank developed by the DRDO.
The first production batch of five indigenously manufactured Main Battle Tank Arjun rolled out of the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, Tamil Nadu on August 7, 2004. At that time Chief of Army Staff, Gen NC Vij said that he would be happy if the HVF rolled out 50 tanks every year. An indent has been placed for 124 MBT Arjun tanks for raising one regiment each during the X & XI Plan periods.
BMP-I ICV
As of 2005 it was established that the BMP-I ICVs held by the Army were to be de-inducted in 2018. The overhaul of these ICVs, which began in 1994-95 was to be completed by 2006-07. According to the overhaul schedule during 1999-2000 to 2003-2004, 550 BMPs were to be overhauled at the rate of 110 per annum. The 512 ABWs could, however, overhaul only 298 BMPs during this period.
BMP-II ICV Sarath
Production of the BMP-2, known as the Sarath (Chariot of Victory), continued in 2002 at 100 per year, with over 1,000 in active service at that time.
Artillery Rockets
The first Pinaka regiment was raised in February 2000. A regiment consists of three batteries of six Pinakas each, plus reserves. It is expected that one regiment will be added each year as the oldest BM-21s are withdrawn from service.
Towed Artillery
The army has substantial artillery forces. The best estimate places the army's towed artillery capabilities at more than 4,000 pieces. In addition to the towed artillery, the army has self-propelled artillery. The Indian Army has 15 independent artillery brigades, which along with organic artillery units assigned to divisions include 1 heavy artillery battalion, 11 self-propelled medium artillery battalions, 3 self-propelled artillery battalions, 66 field artillery battalions, and 39 mountain artillery battalions.
As of 2000 it was expected that a total of up to 3000-4000 new 155mm/52-caliber howitzers will be procured over the next two decades to equip the 185 tube artillery regiments as part of its Field Artillery Rationalization Plan. All SP and towed artillery assets, except for the 105-mm Light Guns used by mountain and parachute units, are to be standardized on a 155-mm/52 caliber ordnance under this plan.
The 105 mm Indian and Light Field Guns (IFG/LFG) are being replaced by 130mm M-46 Field Gun. About 200 of the M-46 guns are purchased each year to replace the 105mm IFG/LFG. Nearly 500 of the M-46 guns are earmarked for upgrade to the 155mm/39-caliber and 155mm/45-caliber by Soltam Systems Ltd. of Israel.
The Army initially planned to acquire 1,500 Bofors FH-77B howitzers, but due to the infamous 'Bofors Scandal' only 410 guns were purchased. Due to the lack of spares, an estimated 100 guns have been cannibalized and were not operational as of early 2002. 155 mm Bofors guns are the mainstay of the artillery fire power of Indian army. These guns were due for overhaul after 18 years of service-life depending upon their usage. 506 ABW can overhaul 20 guns per annum. The capacity itself is very low to fulfill the overhaul requirement of Bofors gun.
The workshop had overhauled only 12 guns as of 2005. The pilot overhaul of first six guns took 19 to 39 months. The time taken in overhaul of the next six guns ranged from four to seven months. With the inadequate capacity and support available, it would take decades to overhaul the entire population of these guns. Thus large number of the guns are likely to be held without overhaul, adversely affecting their operational preparedness.
ATE Factron 720 is a test equipment used for the repair of printed circuit boards and modules of Bofors Guns and its associated equipment. This equipment which is a critical requirement for the overhaul/repair of Bofors weapon system was imported from UK for Rs 7.20 crore as part of engineering support package for Bofors weapon system in 1989. The system developed snags in 1997 and was yet to be repaired. In its absence tests are carried out manually, which requires more time besides limiting the scope and reliability of testing.
Other Equipment
Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) of Polish origin and Bridge Laying Girder (BLG) were inducted in army between 1977 and 1988 and were to be overhauled after 12 years. The overhauls of the entire population of ARVs were to be completed by 2000 and that of BLG (60 M2) by 1998. However 512 ABW could overhaul only two BLGs and none of the ARVs until March 2004. Overhaul of these items could not be processed due to failure to procure/develop repair technology and non-establishment of overhaul line. Army Headquarters decided not to overhaul the low population BLGs. The offer for transfer of technology for overhaul of the ARVs received from a Polish firm in 1999 was yet to be approved. With overhaul long overdue, the operational reliability of the ARVs remained suspect.
India has substantial numbers of surface-to-air missile capabilities, the total number of launchers being more than 1,200.
