New Delhi: In order to give a fillip to the government’s ambitious initiative “Make in India” programme, the defence ministry (MoD) signed a pact with Bharat Earth Movers Limited for procurement of 1,512 mine ploughs for the Indian Army’s main battle, tank T-90, at an approximate cost of ₹557 crore, on Monday
The contract has “Buy and Make (Indian)” categorization with a minimum of 50 per cent indigenous content in the “make” portion of the contract, the MoD said in a statement.
These mine ploughs will be fitted on T-90 tanks of the Indian Army’s armoured corps, which will facilitate individual mobility to tanks while negotiating minefields.
The mobility of the tank fleet’s without fear of anti-tank mines will enhance the tanks’ effectiveness manyfold as it would extend the reach of the armoured formation deep into enemy territory without becoming a mine causality.
With the induction of these 1,512 mine ploughs, planned to be completed by 2027, the combat capability of Army will be further enhanced.
The Army recently deployed the Russian-origin T-90 main battle tanks in Ladakh’s Galwan valley amid the face-off with Chinese troops.
