‘Future Tank’ to replace T-72s by 2030

New Delhi: The Indian Army's ambitious Make-in-India project, the Future Tank, will have three variants with first prototype expected to be ready in four to five years.  The induction of first of these tanks in the Army could start from 2030.

These indigenously-designed and developed-in-India war machines, dubbed the future-ready combat vehicle, will replace the ageing T-72s tanks. 

The project was accorded ‘Approval in Principle’ (AIP) in April to be developed under the Make-I scheme, where up to 70 per cent of government funding is provided for prototype development. 

“Future Tank will be made in three phases. In the first phase the tanks will be based on the technology which is available so that Indian industry can make it. After Indian industry has gained expertise we will move to more advanced version of the tank in phase two. In Phase 3 the tanks will have futuristic technologies," said a source. Overall, the proposal is to make 1,750 Future Tanks. 

"In each phase 550-600 tanks will be manufactured," the source said. 

“Once the prototype is ready, the Future Tanks will be easily rolled out in 1-2 years to be deployed in the battlefield," the source said. For the third phase, the prototype is expected to be developed in 10-12 years. 

The Indian Army has T-72s, T-90s and Arjun tanks. The T-72s have been the mainstay of the Armoured Corps for close to 40 years and are now required to be replaced.

The Future Tank has to be in synchronisation with technological battle field advancements and needs to incorporate systems to negate enemy ISR systems (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), counter aerial threats and enhance its own survivability and operational performance utilising technology, to ensure staying power and victory in any conflict.

“The tank was designed to fight a tank and manoeuvre land mostly open terrain. Now you see the warfare they are using the aerial means. The operatonal role for Armoured Corps will be, not only to cater to the tank threat but to cater to all type of threat, especially from the aerial means. Not just to destroy enemy tank, but to destroy all kind of threats, also those beyond line of sight threats, " said sources. 

There is an operational necessity for a modern tank platform enabled with niche technologies including artificial intelligence, see through armour and with the ability to operate in a network centric and electronic warfare environment to maintain continued ‘operational readiness’ and ‘combat overmatch’ over the adversary.