Indian Army Initiates Process To Acquire 350 Light Tanks, Likely To Be Deployed On India-China Border

The Indian Army has rolled out a request for information (RFI) to acquire around 350 light tanks that weigh less than 25 tonnes in the wake of the recent border standoff with China where the forces felt the need for light tanks that could be conveniently deployed in higher-altitude areas (HAA).

The principal armament feature is that of a modular, multiple and upgradable weapon system that is capable of destroying and counter-measuring different sorts of threats.

The tanks will be required to feature different weapons for anti-aircraft and ground roles. It would employ smart munitions along with a gun tube launched anti-tank guided missile. Preheater, environment control unit, anti-drone capability, UAV jammers and auxiliary power units are some of the facilities that the tanker should essentially have, reports Mint.

Apparently, the defence ministry plans to procure, “new generation combat vehicle platform, approximately 350 Light Tanks in a phased manner, along with performance-based logistics, niche technologies, engineering support package, and other maintenance and training requirements,” as stated in the aforementioned RFI.

Vendors have thus been asked to provide their overall time frame of delivery as per different kit configurations. 18 June 2021 has been fixed as the final date for interested parties to respond to the RFI.