India, in a major deal worth of $300 million, is ready to purchase 350 upgraded T-90 main battle tanks equipped with French night visions. It would take three to four years to complete the final delivery of the tanks from Russia to equip two Indian armoured divisions.
A high level Russian defence delegation from Russia, headed by General Alexi Fedroovich Maslov, is likely to arrive in India on an official visit. The deal is expected to be signed during his visit that would start from tomorrow.
However, some reports have revealed that the deal may go in danger, as Russia has demanded millions of dollars more for the sale of additional Sukhoi fighters and carrier Groshkov.
India is in need of these additional T-90 tanks to speed up the tank production under technology transfer at Avadi heavy armament factory. The tank production has been slow because of technical problems in the factory.
The additional T-90 tanks inducted in two of the three strike corps of the Indian Army would have upper hand on Pakistan’s T-80 tanks acquired from Ukraine. The indigenous battle tank ‘Arjun’ is still in comparative induction trials and the army isequipped with upgraded T-72m tanks now.
