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)
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
-
Levelling up – how autonomous fire control tackles unmanned lethality head-on
As autonomous weapon systems proliferate, it is now essential to use the same core technologies to counteract and neutralise them.
-
BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90120 medium tank takes shape
The new vehicle will be based on the CV90 Mk IV chassis and turret, and will be armed with a Rheinmetall 120mm L44A1 low recoil smoothbore gun.
-
UK government argues strife has little impact on steel supply but imports reign
Speaking in the UK Parliament, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said possible changes in the country’s steelmaking industry will have little impact on defence projects; while much of the steel in British vehicles and ships is imported.