T-90S tank assembly to resume soon

New Delhi: Supply of T-90 tanks to the Indian Army will soon resume with 50 indigenously manufactured tanks rolling out of the Avadi-based Heavy Vehicles Factory. The production of these tanks is being taken up after resolving issues with Russia related to transfer of technology (ToT).

Image: RUVR

Defence officials said that with agreement having been reached with regard to ToT issues the Russians have supplied kits for 50 tanks. It is being given to understand that Russia has also provided reassurances that the delivery of kits and materials will follow a laid-out time schedule.

In this regard it may be mentioned that at the induction ceremony of the first Phalcon AWACS aircraft defence minister AK Antony openly addressed ambassadors of various countries gathered for the occasion, asking their countries to adhere to time schedules agreed upon with respect to defence supplies.

He also said that a number of countries were guilty of delays.

India ordered 310 T-90s from Russia in 2001 at a cost of Rs3,265 crore. Of these, 186 were assembled from kits at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, near Chennai.  Thereafter an agreement was signed for the licensed production of another 1,000 T-90s.

Production however failed to materialise in the face of Russian obstructions with respect to transfer of technology. This resulted in another purchase agreement for the 347 tanks, at a cost of Rs4,900 core, in November 2007. However, all of 2008 went by without any production of tanks as issues regarding ToT remained unresolved.

Defence officials said that issues had now been resolved and kits for the first lot of 50 tanks had been handed over.