India approves indigenous projects, including light tanks
India license-produces the Russian T-90S tank, but a lighter AFV is needed for operations in the mountainous Himalayan region. (Gordon Arthur)
India continues to push indigenous development and production, a process that will be accelerated even further by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
India’s MoD has approved the indigenous design and development by private industry of a light tank for the Indian Army.
In late February, the ministry also approved communication equipment with Indian security protocols, airborne EO pods and an airborne stand-off jammer for the Indian Air Force.
The MoD’s Project Facilitation Team accorded approval in principle for these four projects.
Industry sources said that under the ‘Make-I’ category of Defence Acquisition Procedure - 2020, the MoD would extend financial support of up 70% to shortlisted development agencies to design all four prototypes.
They said the Project Facilitation Team was expected to imminently
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