Russia's Uralvagonzavod has expressed its readiness to support the modernisation of India's ageing T-72 main battle tank fleet under the Make in India initiative, although no formal request or government-to-government agreement has yet been submitted by New Delhi.

Uralvagonzavod Chief Executive Alexander Potapov said the company is prepared to provide technical assistance and combat-tested upgrade solutions derived from recent operational experience. However, he confirmed that discussions remain preliminary and that no official Indian application for cooperation has been received.

The proposal centres on local production and integration in India, with the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi in Tamil Nadu viewed as the most likely hub for any future programme. Avadi already possesses extensive experience in manufacturing, overhauling and supporting Russian-origin armoured vehicles, making it a natural candidate for any large-scale modernisation effort.

Despite Moscow's offer, indications suggest India may prefer to retain full control of the upgrade programme through its own industrial base. Existing infrastructure at Avadi, together with the country's growing emphasis on indigenous defence manufacturing, would allow much of the work to be completed domestically while selectively incorporating foreign technology where required.

Potential improvements could include upgraded fire-control systems, advanced thermal sights and battlefield optics, strengthened armour protection, enhanced situational awareness systems and new anti-drone measures. Recent battlefield developments have increased interest in counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities and survivability enhancements for armoured platforms.

India's T-72 fleet continues to form a significant component of the Army's armoured strength. Maintaining operational readiness, extending service life and improving battlefield effectiveness remain major priorities as the vehicles age. Open-source estimates indicate that India operates one of the world's largest T-72 fleets, giving any upgrade effort considerable strategic importance.

The country has already been pursuing a broader armoured vehicle modernisation drive. Recent programmes have included the acquisition and licensed production of more powerful engines, integration of indigenous Auxiliary Power Units and other mobility and sustainment improvements for both T-72 and T-90 tanks.

At the same time, India has expanded domestic maintenance and refurbishment capacity and is exploring innovative concepts for legacy platforms, including the potential conversion of some T-72 vehicles into remotely operated or autonomous combat systems. These efforts align with a wider push towards self-reliance in military manufacturing and technology development.

Uralvagonzavod's proposal comes against the backdrop of longstanding Indo-Russian armoured vehicle cooperation, including licensed production and support of the T-90 family in India. Nevertheless, the Russian manufacturer has not disclosed any specific upgrade package, timeline or investment framework for the T-72 programme.

Any future arrangement would require approval from the Indian Government and relevant defence authorities before a formal contract could be concluded. For now, the Russian offer remains an expression of readiness rather than a negotiated programme.

Looking further ahead, the Indian Army intends to gradually replace its oldest T-72 tanks through the Future Ready Combat Vehicle project, with induction expected to begin around the next decade. Until that transition gathers pace, modernisation of existing platforms remains one of the most practical methods of sustaining India's armoured warfare capability.

Agencies