Army demonstrates capability to overhaul T-90s indigenously

New Delhi, Oct 31 (PTI) Indian Army Saturday demonstrated
its capability to carry out the complex procedure of
overhauling the Russian-origin T-90 'Bhishma' tanks
indigenously, which will help save the nation several crores
of rupees.
The first Russian-built T-90 was overhauled by Army's
Delhi-based 505 Base Workshop and was flagged off by Master
General Ordnance (MGO) Lt Gen Vinay Sharma here, Army
officials said.
The overhauling of the first T-90, they said, cost Rs
four crore and was completed within 214 days. Earlier, the
tanks were sent through the sea route to Russia for the same
purpose.
The capability to overhaul T-90s indigenously, officials
said, will help the Indian Army save around Rs 14 crore per
tank and will also extend their life by another 15 years.
All the T-90s in the Army from now on will be overhauled
within the country, they said. India plans to have around 1600
T-90 tanks in its armoured regiments.
The first batch of 10 licence-produced T-90s built at
Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, Tamil Nadu (India's southern
state), was inducted into the Army in August 2009. PTI