First indigenously manufactured T-90 tank to roll out on 24 August
08 Aug 2009
New Delhi: The first T-90 Main Battle Tank to be manufactured under license in India will roll out of the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, near Chennai on 24 August 2009. Production of this frontline equipment resumes after a delay of one year with India and Russia settling outstanding issues related to transfer of technology for local manufacture.
The dispute over transfer of technology related mainly to the tank's gun barrel.
"The first T-90 tank will roll out Aug 24," said a defence ministry official. "We have repeatedly emphasised the timely delivery of the procured items. They (Russian officials) have reassured that supply of T-90s will remain on schedule. First 50 T-90s will roll out soon," the official said.
If delivered on time, the 50 tanks will allow the Indian Army to raise an additional armoured regiment by the end of the year.
Pakistan's purchase of T-80 tanks from Ukraine prompted India to order 310 T-90s in 2001. Of these, 124 were supplied off-the-shelf while 186 were assembled from kits at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, near Chennai.
An agreement was subsequently signed in 2006 for the licensed production of another 1,000 T-90s through 2020. This, however, was delayed due to Russian reluctance to transfer technology. This compelled India to make another off-the-shelf purchase of 300 tanks from Russia last year.
"Last year, we did not make a single tank. At least, a beginning has been made," the official said.