The Indian Army is planning to retire hundreds of T-72 tanks, preparing them for export amid a surge in global demand for the tank class. The force has approximately 2,500 T-72 tanks, the first of which were received in the late 1970s, and more than 1,000 T-90 tanks. target=”_blank”>Further T-90sBy order. This makes the Indian Army the largest operator of both classes in the world, and since the T-90 itself is an enhanced derivative of the T-72 (originally designated as the T-72BU), both retain significant interactions. Operability. While the T-72 has considerable scope for incorporating upgrades, the age of the vehicle has increased its operational requirements and reduced availability, leading the Indian Army to favor ordering further new models. T-90, as it has always been done. A senior official revealed plans for decommissioned T-72s for export: “These tanks will be modernized before export, so that countries in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia can benefit from these tanks.” The overhaul of decommissioned tanks will be carried out in Afghanistan It is carried out at the Heavy Vehicles Plant in Wadi, which previously produced these tanks under license and later began producing the T-90 under license in the 2000s. ” title=「Indian Army T-90MS Tank」
The possibility that hundreds of T-72s will be available for export raises serious questions about the impact this may have on the global tank market. The large surplus of T-72 tanks has been rapidly depleted over the past 30 months, with European and Moroccan tanks being donated to Ukraine, while Russia's own stockpiles and those of neighboring Belarus have been integrated into the new Russian Army Corps . The T-72's competitiveness on the export market, while having few competitors in the 1980s and 1990s, has declined significantly in recent years, mainly due to the development of competitors such as the “T-72”. target=”_blank”>China VT-4and T-90M class combat tanks Although production has managed to surge to over 100 per month, more conservative estimates of current T-90 production suggest that Russia may still have a strong interest in further procurement of T-72s . Uncertainty remains. title=「Russian Army T-72B3 on the Kursk Front」
In addition to Russia, possible customers include Vietnam, which already has T-72, and India, which also has the aircraft. Although the country is armed The troops have purchased T-90s and are relatively well-funded, but strategic ties are still strengthening. Laos is another possibility, having received T-72 assistance from Russia starting in the late 2010s, as has Iran, which produced over 400 T-72s under license in the 1990s before becoming “Iran “. target=”_blank”>Cut off by Russia. It is also possible that India will provide T-72s as assistance to influence potential strategic partners such as Bangladesh or Myanmar, which is by no means unprecedented. The war in Ukraine changed the market for T-72/90 tanks, preventing development in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. target=”_blank”>Export your own inventoryAs they have done before, India's decision to export its vehicles could be the perfect time as this tank has been the most popular tank category in the global market for decades.