Indian Army leans heavily towards light tanks
The Indian Army is seeking a new light tank of about the weight of Hanwha Defense’s K21-105 for operations in mountainous areas. (Gordon Arthur)
India's weight specifications for a new light tank for mountainous operations narrows the field considerably.
The Indian MoD has made some noticeable progress in its on-again, off-again search for a new tracked light tank – it issued an RfI on 22 April for armoured vehicles weighing less than 25t.
Of course, the issuing of an RfI often bears no tangible fruit in the Indian procurement process, with the Indian Army yet to advance elsewhere in its pursuit of new MBTs and IFVs. Nonetheless, tensions with China in the Ladakh sector may spur the army to rapidly procure a light tank suitable for operations along the mountainous border.
The RfI listed a desire for the phased
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles]()
Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles
Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.
-
![Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation]()
Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation
The Czech Republic ordered 52 CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie (CAESAR) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in 2021 and added another 10 a year later. A cancellation of the programme would impact both the army’s capabilities and local industry which is involved in the manufacture.
-
![Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells]()
Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells
Demand for ammunition continues to increase with manufacturing capability growing to match. Sweden have turned to the two supply lines of Rheinmetall and Nammo as part of a Nordic effort to meet demand. The Polish Government has also announced a US$700 million investment to boost manufacture of munitions.
-
![Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars]()
Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars
The order is in addition to two systems ordered in 2023. It forms part of a family of systems which is becoming widely used and part of a growing demand for the capability, both in deliveries and requirements.
-
![US Army’s Precision Strike Missile moves into production phase after test successes]()
US Army’s Precision Strike Missile moves into production phase after test successes
Lockheed Martin’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) is a next-generation surface-to-surface missile system and is a planned replanned replacement for MGM-140 Army Tactical Missiles System (ATACMS). It is to be fired from M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.
