Indian Army Announces ₹75,000 Crore Tank And Armoured Vehicle Modernisation Plan

The Indian Army has unveiled a five-year modernisation pipeline worth ₹75,000 crore focused on tanks and armoured vehicles. The initiative is intended to drive sustained industrial growth across India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem while providing long-term procurement visibility to both public and private sector defence companies.

The extensive procurement roadmap reflects a major investment in upgrading existing armoured platforms as well as acquiring next-generation combat systems. It also highlights the Army’s continued emphasis on strengthening mechanised capabilities in response to evolving security challenges along India’s northern and western frontiers.

India’s armoured fleet is built around the Arjun Main Battle Tank and the Soviet-origin T-72 and T-90 tank series. Designed by DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), the Arjun remains the world’s heaviest operational main battle tank at more than 68 tonnes. It features indigenous fire-control systems, ballistic computers, and advanced thermal imaging equipment. The Army has also been assessing the enhanced Arjun Mark II, which incorporates improved composite armour, upgraded firepower, and several battlefield enhancements.

The modernisation programme is expected to extend beyond tanks to include self-propelled artillery, infantry combat vehicles, and armoured personnel carriers. Platforms such as the Shatractah wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier produced by OFB, along with tracked systems like the BvP2000 series manufactured under licence, are likely candidates for capability upgrades involving mobility, survivability, and network-enabled combat technologies.

The five-year acquisition pipeline further reinforces the government’s Make in India initiative in defence manufacturing. By offering industry a predictable order book, the Army aims to encourage investment in domestic production facilities, strengthen indigenous supply chains, and reduce dependence on imported military equipment.

India’s expanding private defence sector-including companies such as Larsen & Toubro, Tata Advanced Systems, and Bharat Dynamics-is expected to benefit from the long-term procurement outlook, enabling greater investment in manufacturing capacity, research, and advanced defence technologies.

The announcement also aligns with the Army’s broader force modernisation strategy. Senior military planners have consistently identified improvements in mechanised firepower, protection, and battlefield mobility as essential for operations across diverse environments ranging from high-altitude regions to desert terrain. Continued investment in armoured platforms directly supports these operational priorities.

The modernisation drive is also in line with India’s evolving approach to combined arms warfare. Integrating tanks and other armoured vehicles with unmanned systems, real-time battlefield communication networks, and precision-guided munitions will require continuous technology upgrades across the Army’s mechanised fleet.