AVNL flags Off first 2 overhauled T-72 tanks under pilot project
The first two T-72 main battle tanks overhauled under a pilot project by Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ), a unit of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), were flagged off on Wednesday by Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla , Master General Sustainment (MGS).
The pilot initiative is part of AVNL’s plan to expand India’s tank overhaul capacity to meet the growing maintenance requirements of the Indian Army’s armoured fleet. Until now, most tank overhaul work was handled by the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) at Avadi. To augment this capacity, AVNL selected VFJ as an additional centre and approved it to undertake pilot overhauls in 2025.
According to an official release, VFJ completed the overhaul of the two T-72 tanks in line with the technical specifications and quality standards prescribed by the Indian Army, demonstrating its readiness to support operational requirements.
Sanjay Dwivedi , Chairman and Managing Director of AVNL, congratulated the VFJ team for completing the work within the stipulated timeframe and reiterated AVNL’s commitment to ensuring efficient and timely overhaul of the Army’s tank fleet.
Addressing the gathering, Lt Gen Aujla said the task was challenging and praised the team for delivering on schedule. “By completing this work successfully, you have demonstrated your capability. In the future, you will be entrusted with larger responsibilities of tank overhauling, and I am confident you will perform equally well,” he said.
India’s Tank Strength and Types
India operates one of the world’s largest armoured forces, with an estimated around 4,200 main battle tanks in service. The fleet mainly comprises three types:
• T-72 Ajeya: Approximately 2,400 tanks , forming the largest segment of the Army’s armoured corps
• T-90 Bhishma: Around 1,000 tanks , inducted over the last two decades
• Arjun Main Battle Tank: About 120-130 tanks , representing India’s indigenous tank programme
The T-72 tanks, inducted from the late 1970s onwards, remain the backbone of several armoured regiments but are among the oldest platforms currently in service.
An overhaul is a comprehensive process of restoring a tank to full operational condition. It involves dismantling and inspecting key systems such as the engine, transmission, suspension, gun and fire-control equipment. Worn-out parts are repaired or replaced, and systems are recalibrated and tested before the tank is certified fit for deployment.
Overhaul not only improves reliability and safety but also extends the service life of tanks and allows for selective upgrades in electronics and communications where required.
There is no single fixed deadline for completing the overhaul of the entire tank fleet. The process is carried out in phases based on operational priority and available capacity. With VFJ now added as an overhaul facility alongside HVF and Army Base Workshops, the annual number of tanks that can be refurbished is expected to increase significantly.
At the same time, the Indian Army is preparing for long-term modernisation through the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) programme, under which ageing T-72 tanks will gradually be replaced by next-generation platforms over the coming decade.
The successful completion of the pilot project at VFJ marks a key step in strengthening India’s self-reliance in armoured vehicle maintenance and sustaining combat readiness of the Army’s tank fleet.