Indian Army to Repurpose Ageing T-72 Tanks into Autonomous Combat Vehicles
The Indian Army has unveiled an ambitious plan to convert its ageing fleet of T-72 main battle tanks into remotely controlled autonomous armoured fighting vehicles. This strategic initiative aims to enhance the tanks' operational utility beyond their scheduled retirement from 2030 onwards, significantly boosting the Army's capability to execute high-risk missions in modern, technology-intensive battlefields.
Extending Service Life and Enhancing Capabilities
The project envisions extending the operational life of the T-72 fleet by an impressive 15 to 20 years at a fraction of the cost required for procuring new main battle tanks. By transforming these legacy platforms into digitised, remotely operable vehicles, the Army will be able to deploy them for unmanned high-risk missions. These include critical tasks such as minefield entry, breaching enemy defences, acting as decoys, serving as advance guards, and conducting reconnaissance patrols.
The Indian Army currently maintains an inventory of approximately 2,400 Soviet-origin T-72 tanks, many of which have been licensed-produced domestically. These tanks have seen extensive service across diverse terrains, from the plains and deserts to high-altitude regions like Ladakh, and have even been deployed on foreign missions, including the Indian Peacekeeping Force in Sri Lanka. Over the years, the fleet has undergone multiple modernisation and upgradation programmes to improve its mobility, firepower, and protection capabilities.
Technological Transformation and Integration
According to a document released by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on March 19, the Army's requirement is to convert the T-72 into a digitised, remotely operable vehicle that retains its mechanical reliability while enabling seamless integration with higher-level control systems through an IP-based interface. This transformation will be undertaken by industry partners under the fourth edition of the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme, which is part of the Ministry of Defence's Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative aimed at promoting indigenisation.
The T-72 has been the backbone of India's armour profile since its induction in 1979 and is slated to be replaced by a more advanced, futuristic platform. However, the Army's move towards implementing Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) architecture in its operational philosophy necessitates the integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) with the main battle tank fleet. This fusion of manned and unmanned systems is critical to maintaining a combat edge over adversaries in today's transparent and highly digitised battlefield environment.
Manned-Unmanned Teaming and Future Applications
MUM-T involves the operational integration of manned platforms with unmanned systems to enhance surveillance, firepower, and situational awareness. This concept was successfully validated during field exercises conducted in 2025. By converting legacy T-72 tanks into autonomous armoured fighting vehicle platforms, the Army aims to augment its manned tanks and effectively implement the MUM-T operational framework.
The project spans multiple technology domains, including robotics, sensor fusion, automation, guidance, navigation, and control. Industry partners will be required to deliver two fully validated prototypes of an autonomous kit that will enable the T-72 to function as an optionally manned autonomous battle tank. This innovative approach not only maximises the utility of existing assets but also aligns with the Army's broader strategy of leveraging cutting-edge technology to address evolving security challenges.
This repurposing initiative represents a significant step forward in defence innovation, ensuring that the Indian Army remains prepared for the complexities of future warfare while optimising resource utilisation and fostering domestic technological development.
