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Indian Army purchases 47 new T-72 BLT bridge-laying tanks to strengthen obstacle-crossing capabilities.


As reported by Alpha Defense on January 21, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a ₹1,560.52 crore contract (approximately $180,748,186.64) with the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), a division of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), for the procurement of 47 T-72 Bridge-Laying Tanks (BLTs) for the Indian Army. The agreement was finalized in New Delhi on January 21, 2025, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior officials from the MoD and HVF/AVNL.
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The bridge system of the BLT T-72 consists of a launching mechanism, hydraulic systems, auxiliary systems, an electronic control system, and the bridge structure itself. (Picture source: Army Recognition)


India's procurement of 47 T-72 BLTs aims to improve the operational capacity of its mechanized forces by enabling the rapid deployment of bridges during both offensive and defensive operations. The T-72 BLTs are designed to support the movement of armored units across obstacles such as rivers and trenches, addressing mobility challenges and ensuring tactical flexibility. This acquisition is part of a broader initiative to modernize India's military infrastructure and maintain the operational relevance of the T-72 fleet.

The T-72 BLT, also known as BLT T-72, is an armored engineering vehicle (AEV) used to deploy prefabricated steel bridges during military operations. It assists in crossing natural and artificial obstacles, enabling tanks and armored vehicles to maintain mobility during combat. The system includes a scissors-type bridge that can be deployed in two configurations: a 20-meter span with a Military Load Classification (MLC) of 60, supporting vehicles up to 60 tons, and a 22-meter span with an MLC of 70, supporting vehicles up to 70 tons.

The Military Load Classification (MLC) is a standardized system used by NATO to indicate the load-bearing capacity of infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and routes, as well as the load impact of military vehicles. It is represented in whole numbers, with higher numbers corresponding to the capacity to support heavier loads.

Vehicles are assigned MLC numbers based on their weight, type (wheeled or tracked), and their impact on infrastructure, while infrastructure elements are categorized according to their structural characteristics and ability to handle specific traffic conditions. This system ensures compatibility between military vehicles and the infrastructure they use, supporting the safe and efficient movement of forces.

The bridge system of the BLT T-72 consists of a launching mechanism, hydraulic systems, auxiliary systems, an electronic control system, and the bridge structure itself. During transit, the bridge remains folded atop the tank and can be deployed in approximately three to five minutes using manual or automatic controls. The vehicle’s ability to deploy and recover the bridge ensures tank columns can cross obstacles and maintain efficient movement.


The T-72 BLT, also known as BLT T-72, features a scissors-type bridge that can be deployed in two configurations: a 20-meter span supporting vehicles up to 60 tons, and a 22-meter span supporting vehicles up to 70 tons. (Picture source: Army Recognition)


The BLTs are built on the T-72M1 tank chassis and powered by a 780-horsepower engine. Weighing 49 tons, they measure 11.36 meters in length, 4.0 meters in width, and 3.8 meters in height. The maximum road speed is 60 kilometers per hour, and the vehicle can traverse gradients of up to 25 degrees, cross trenches up to 2.4 meters wide, and ford shallow waters up to 1.8 meters deep. Armament includes a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, with provisions for attaching a KMT-6 mine plow for landmine clearance.

India’s association with the T-72M1 began in 1978 with the purchase of 500 tanks from the Soviet Union, including T-72, T-72M, and T-72M1 variants. Licensed production was subsequently initiated at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, Tamil Nadu, where the tank was designated as the Ajeya. Over a 15-year production period, more than 1,100 units were manufactured domestically before production ceased in 1998.

In the 1990s, the Indian Army launched the Combat Improved Ajeya program, also known as Project Rhino, upgrading approximately 1,500 T-72M1 tanks. This program introduced enhancements such as upgraded engines, advanced fire control systems, Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA), fire detection and suppression systems, and modern communication and navigation systems. As of 2023, the Indian Army operates a fleet of 2,418 T-72M1 tanks, with plans to replace them under the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program.

The BLTs fall under the "Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured)" (IDDM) procurement category, introduced in India's Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016. This category prioritizes defense products that are indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured, requiring at least 50% indigenous content. The policy aligns with the "Make in India" program, launched in 2014 to promote domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports across various sectors, including defense.

Additionally, the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) campaign, initiated in 2020, emphasizes fostering self-sufficiency by encouraging indigenous production capabilities. In the defense sector, these initiatives aim to develop a domestic defense industry, reduce dependency on foreign suppliers, stimulate economic growth through local manufacturing, and advance technological innovation within India.


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