India moves to revamp T-72 and T-90 tanks using decoded Soviet schematics
Engineers at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur have deciphered most Soviet-era tank blueprints and plan to overhaul 80 Indian armored vehicles each year starting in 2028.
Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, working alongside Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, has successfully decoded about 70% of Soviet-era technical drawings that detail the specialised fixtures required for tank refurbishment. Because many original schematics are outdated and in Russian, engineers are designing domestic replacements for the unavailable components. The programme targets a yearly overhaul of 80 T-72 Ajeya and T-90 Bhishma tanks beginning in April 2028, a step that builds on a 2001 agreement to produce 1,000 T-90s in India.
VFJ secured the contract after a pilot overhaul of two T-72s and now plans to staff up to 650 trained workers, with current efforts focused on hull and turret work. Each full overhaul, which involves complete disassembly, inspection, repair or replacement of parts, and re-testing, takes roughly four months. The project, costing an estimated Rs 462 crore, is part of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited’s strategy to establish Jabalpur as a second major tank-maintenance centre.
Why it matters
Modernising India's tank fleet boosts defence readiness and reduces reliance on foreign maintenance capabilities.
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