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The ongoing trials of the light tank, system upgrade cum overhaul of T72 and the recent RFP to produce Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) have raised many eyebrows. Those professing the obituary of tanks and the exaggerated discourse on its suspect role in future battlespace lie disappointed and professionally misplaced.

The utility of a tank lies in its deployability, employability and capability to be the decisive force. Its optimisation lies in its inclusive role as an agile, lethal, and survivable platform to lead the combined arms team and attain combat overmatch across all spectrums of conflict. Thus, the need to understand the role, desired capabilities, and fleet management perspective.

The operational requirement is essentially based on medium-category tanks with light tanks supplementing its capabilities for marginal terrain like Northern borders. This remains the foundation of future operational and equipment construct.

Modernisation Fundamentals and Upgradation Construct

Modernisation fundamentals are foundational to the GSPS 2032 and fleet management perspective which is holistic, realistic and time sensitive. It is also based on prioritised and tiered modernisation based on value, vulnerability, and risk analysis with judicious scaling to address critical operational imperatives. It also looks at a more holistic and contemporary model of “Lethality, Survivability, Agility, Sustainability, Connectivity, and Affordability” based on the commonality of base platform and technology convergence. The focus on indigenous solutions to Indian warfighting remains paramount.

 The spiral approach to technology induction emphasizes prioritizing functional capabilities, combat effectiveness, and closing capability gaps with existing technologies. Balancing expansion, modernization and sustenance involves harmonising fiscal requirements, standardising platforms, and evaluating the cost-benefit of sustaining legacy equipment to decrease sustainment costs.

Planned upgrades and overhauls aim to extend tank life beyond 32 years, emphasising sub-system, system, and platform upgrades along with field fitment or medium repair or overall interventions. The emphasis is on a lead integrator and expanded facilities requiring careful planning of space, power, and weight (balance) management, during the design stage for ease of adaptability and timely cum short fitment cycle.

AFV Fleet Management Perspective – SUDRO Model

The endeavour to keep the tank fleet in a 30:40:30 profile guides the “Fleet Management Perspective”. The framework accordingly focuses on a balanced approach of sustaining the present fleet, modernisation of legacy fleet to contemporary standards and induction of next-generation platform in a time sensitive domain. It also aims at balancing fleet expansion and fleet modernization within pragmatic resource availability.

 The pillars of this perspective thus must rest on five key aspects; sustain the current fleet and address voids; upgrade legacy fleet to bridge technological gaps till replacement platforms; develop and induct next-generation state-of-the-art replacement platforms; replace obsolete and beyond service life equipment progressively; and optimize indigenous capability for induction through IDDM category.

Translating it entails life extension and periodic upgrades of T 72 to bring its technology capabilities as close to T90; T-90 medium repairs and modernisation upgrades to state-of-the-art technologies; and FRCV to replace beyond-life equipment which is negative to the cost-benefit of sustaining them.

Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV)

The FRCV program amplifies the Indian Army’s push for a modern battle tank with a robust and flexible base platform that can be adopted into a multitude of specialised armoured fighting vehicles. FRCV will offer multiple options for rapid operational employment enabling the Indian Army to execute operations across the entire continuum of conflict against diverse threats of the adversaries.

The FRCV as the next generation main battle tank is to replace the vintage T-72 Tank Fleet (in service since 1979), which has progressively gone beyond its service life. While the initial fleet of T72 has been replaced by T90, the later production approx. 1770 tanks though upgraded, are not cost-effective to sustain and pose an operational risk due to obsolescence. Even if optimistically inducted in 2030, it will in all probability replace the balance T 72 fleet by around 2045. Thus, the time and operational expediency.

The FRCV was planned to be developed under the Make Project since 2008-09, however, its turbulent journey swayed from a de-novo three-stage turnkey project outside the DPP in 2015, to MAKE 1 under the new DPP 2016 evolved to SP (Strategic Partnership) model in 2017. Accordingly, commencing 2015 multiple RFI’s were floated by Service Headquarters, the last one being in 2024. While the May 2021 RFI was issued and ‘In Principle Approval’ given, the grant of AoN ( Acceptance of Necessity) by MoD is being expedited. The Indian Army is likely to issue a request for proposal (RFP) this year for a project of approximately Rs 57,000 crore to manufacture 1,770 future-ready combat vehicles (FRCVs) in India.

READ MORE: AVNL proposes infantry combat vehicle for Indian Army

DGMF have listed broad technical parameters under the project brief. The FRCVs, with a weight categorization of 55+/-10% with a high power-to-weight ratio of 27:1 HP/Ton, will have a crew of four. It will be equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), drone integration, survivability suites including active protection systems, state of art fire control system, battlefield management systems, beyond line-of-sight strike capability, advanced communication, state of art optoelectronics, vetronics and enhanced situational awareness. Additionally, features like manned-unmanned teaming capability and seamless integration into network-centric warfare environments will enhance the overall operational effectiveness index of the Indian Army (IA) by catering for emerging threats in varied terrain.

A main battle tank is a system of systems and is a fusion of apex technologies existing in the realm of land systems. Successful development under Make-I would result in acquisition, from a successful Development Agency (DA), through the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category with indigenous design and Development and a minimum of 50% IC. The Ministry of Defence, GoI, intends to procure quantity 590 FRCV in the first phase.

The project for FRCV will provide a unique opportunity for the Indian Defence Industry to come together and help to build research and manufacturing capabilities to foster technological spinoffs benefitting a host of civil/dual-use applications.

The Light Tank

Recognizing the strategic importance of high-altitude operations, the Indian Army is acquiring an indigenous light tank engineered for agile manoeuvrability and high lethality with other state-of-the-art technologies dovetailed. It aims to counterbalance the capabilities demonstrated by the Chinese Type 15 ‘Black Panther’, a third-generation tank currently operational along the LAC in the Northern borders where T72 or T90 may be terrain restricted.

The broad employment concept of the light tank thus revolves around its superior mobility (strategic, operational, and tactical), versatility, enhanced manoeuvrability (small turning radius, high power-to-weight ratio, and low nominal ground pressure), and lethal firepower especially high angle fire cum missile firing ability supported by state of art electro-optronics, communication and multilayered survivability packaging. Its air portability and desired amphibious capability add to its operational matrix. Its availability would add teeth to limited offensive or quid pro quo operations into enemy territory. Thus, light tanks would add to the credible deterrence posture and warfighting capability in the Northern Front.

READ MORE: Future Ready Combat Vehicle and Light Tanks

Like FRCV light tanks too have had a turbulent history since the mid 1980’s of its approval. The Indian Light Tank (ILT) based on RFI of Apr 2021 has been accorded ‘Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)’ in Sep 2022 to be progressed under two routes – one is the design and development route, in which the DRDO, alongside the industry partner, is working on 59 tanks, and there is another 295, which is under the ‘Make I’ category which will be partially funded by the government as well as development partners. Named ‘Zorawar’, the tank has emerged from a collaborative effort between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the private entity Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The development technical trials by the developer are underway and likely to be handed over for user trials end of 2024 or early 2025.

Conclusion

The approach to future capability building must be inclusive and not exclusive, based on the larger intent of prevailing in today’s war and generating indigenous capabilities to fight and win future wars. FRCV and  Light Tank program are key strategic enablers, which will generate desired capabilities and bridge the future operational mismatch against escalating threats, particularly on the Northern borders.

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The industry has matured. It has moved from designing as per drawings to now having the ability to design according to the specifications. The encouragement to industry is showing. We have roped them in to make big equipment, on integration of missiles, bombs and many other systems.

The immediate targets, according to Dr Reddy, are increasing the range of air-to-air missiles beyond 150 km and that of surface-to-air missiles beyond 250 km.

Airborne radars and long-range 1,000-plus km radars are the next on plan, with the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for fighter jets ending its final testing. For the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), DRDO “may go in for the special purpose vehicle model”.

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark2 is in the final design phase, while the AMCA design is in advanced stages. “We will definitely meet timelines on the AMCA and LCA Mark2,” he said.

On ground fighting equipment, Dr Reddy said, “We are looking for partners for Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) and Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCV).”

The scenario, he points out, is changing. “We are getting enquiries for export of Akash missiles, torpedoes and artillery gun, the ATAGS, to name a few.”

Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP), that allows conventional submarines to remain under water for longer periods, has been demonstrated. “We are working to integrate the system. The basic model has been made.”

India, he said, has become self-sufficient in many technological areas like missiles, radars, sonars, electronic warfare systems, Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS), artillery guns, armoured vehicles and fighter aircraft.

“Industry participation is growing. We have at least 2,000 industries, which are capable of making systems and sub-systems of equipment. Close to 10,000 are now suppliers of components,” according to Dr Reddy, who is also the secretary, Department of Defence R&D.

“Industry has matured. It has moved from the ability to design as per drawings to now have the ability to design as per specifications,” he says.

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“In the context of a recently held Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation and Russian-Indian summit, Indian counterparts were offered new directions of cooperation, including the development of armored fighting vehicles based on the Armata platform and on customers’ technical inquiries,” Reshetnikova said in an interview.

Earlier in 2021,the Indian Army submitted a Request for Information (RFI) to acquire 1,770 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) by 2030. In the coming decades, the FRCV could replace the Russian-made T-90 Bhishma and T-72 Ajeya as India’s main battle tanks.

According to the RFI, the proposed FCRV would have “state-of-the-art”, “technology-enabled”, and “high mobility” qualities, as well as the capacity to operate in a variety of terrains, including high altitude zones, plains, riverine borders, and deserts.

Earlier in 2021, India had also shown interest in the Russian Sprut-SDM1 lightweight tank. Russia had reportedly put the tank to a test to see if it could survive overload during aerial deployment. India is reported to have been granted access to the testing because of its interest in the Russian tank, as previously reported by the EurAsian Times.

India seeks to counter the Chinese Type 15 light tank along the disputed border with the Russian lightweight tanks. In fact, earlier this month, Russian media had reported that with the Sprut-SDM1 light amphibious tank, Rosoboronexport will participate in India’s tender for light tanks, offering knowledge transfer and, most likely, the establishment of local manufacturing of separate parts and assemblies.

Similar offers could also be made for the battle tank that India has been earnestly seeking. If any such deal goes through, India will induct yet another Russian tank into its fleet. As of now, the Russian T-72 and T-90 are the main battle tanks in its arsenal.

The T-72s and T-90s are massive armored vehicles that were purchased to counter the threat posed by Pakistan on India’s Western border. Both, the T-72 Ajay and T-90 Bhishma were also deployed in Ladakh last year after the border conflict escalated with the Chinese PLA.

Russia has now offered to build a tank based on the lethal T-14 Armata for the Indian military. Uralvagonzavod, a Russian corporation, built the T-14 Armata, a new-generation main battle tank (MBT)). In May 2015, it was unveiled for the first time at the Moscow Victory Day Parade.

The new combat vehicle features digitalized technology, an unmanned turret, and a crew-only armored capsule.

The T-14 Armata is built on a modular combat platform that may also be used to build additional armored vehicles including large infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and armored personnel carriers (APC).

A 125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore cannon is mounted in an unmanned turret on the T-14 Armata, which is fed by an automatic loader. There are 45 rounds of ammo in the turret, including ready-to-use ammunition. Laser-guided missiles can be fired from the main gun as well.

This next-generation battle tank is equipped with the Active Protection System (APS), which can intercept and destroy incoming missiles and defend against all sorts of anti-tank missiles.

The tank is expected to provide protection up to STANAG 4569 Level 5 standards. It has reactive armor in the front and bar armor in the back to provide additional protection against anti-tank rocket-propelled grenades (ATRPGs). Additional active and passive armor can be hooked onto the tank.

The crew’s survivability is further enhanced by the tank’s nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection, automatic fire suppression system, and smoke grenade dischargers.

In 2022, Russia expects to begin serial production of the T-14 Armata tank. Its crew can remain isolated from the fuel section and ammunition because its combat module is unmanned and totally remote-controlled. It is equipped with a 125-mm smoothbore cannon and a 7.62-mm machine gun.

Does Armata Suit India’s Needs?
India has accelerated the process of acquiring weapon systems to deal with the dual-threat on its northern and western borders.

Armata’s suitability for high-altitude combat makes it unique to India. The T-14 can operate in temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit, according to a previous analysis carried by the EurAsian Times.

The Russians know how to share their technology, and it’s worked quite well for India thus far. In the latest India-Russia summit, India had signed a deal for AK-203 rifles with Russia. It also remains in the process of acquiring the Russian S-400 defense systems.

There are, however, grounds for caution. While India continues to get the majority of Russian weaponry exports (23 percent), arch-rival China comes in second with 18 percent. The military relationship between Russia and China is only set to see an upward trajectory in the future.

Nevertheless, a potential deal for the next-generation Russian tanks would be a much-needed booster for India’s combat capability.

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