SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), a public sector defence company headquartered in Avadi, Chennai, is spearheading an ambitious initiative to develop a new generation of light tanks tailored for India’s diverse and challenging operational environments, particularly high-altitude warfare. In a strategic pivot towards advanced Western technologies, AVNL is engaging with global defence giants such as Belgium’s John Cockerill and Israel’s Elbit Systems to integrate cutting-edge command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, lightweight firepower, and advanced survivability features into its next-generation platforms.
While earlier speculation linked AVNL to a potential collaboration with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for the 2S25 Sprut-SD light tank, the company’s recent focus on Western designs signals a shift towards modular, high-tech solutions to meet India’s future battlefield requirements.
India’s military modernization efforts are driven by the evolving nature of its security challenges, particularly along its northern borders with China in high-altitude regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, and its western borders with Pakistan. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash and subsequent tensions underscored the need for agile, lightweight armoured platforms capable of operating in rugged, mountainous terrain where heavy main battle tanks (MBTs) like the T-90 Bhishma face mobility constraints. Light tanks, with their reduced weight (typically under 25-30 tons), offer rapid deployment, enhanced manoeuvrability, and the ability to deliver significant firepower, making them ideal for high-altitude warfare and rapid response scenarios.
AVNL, established in 2021 as part of the corporatization of India’s Ordnance Factory Board, is tasked with manufacturing armoured vehicles and artillery systems for the Indian Army. Its pursuit of a next-generation light tank aligns with the Indian Army’s 2023 Request for Information (RFI) for 350 light tanks under 25 tons, designed for high-altitude operations. This requirement emphasizes advanced C4ISR integration, a 120mm main gun, and modular armour to counter modern threats, including drones and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
AVNL’s exploratory talks with Western defence players like John Cockerill and Elbit Systems reflect a strategic preference for platforms that prioritize technological sophistication. John Cockerill, a Belgian firm renowned for its advanced turret systems, offers expertise in lightweight, high-performance armoured solutions. Its Cockerill 3105 turret, equipped with a 105mm or 120mm gun, is designed for integration with modern C4ISR systems, enabling real-time battlefield awareness and networked operations. Similarly, Israel’s Elbit Systems brings cutting-edge electronics, including fire control systems, active protection systems (APS), and drone countermeasures, which align with India’s push for digitized and networked warfare capabilities.
Western light tank designs emphasize several key features that AVNL considers critical:
- C4ISR Integration: Advanced sensors, communication systems, and AI-driven decision-making tools enable seamless coordination with other battlefield assets, such as drones, artillery, and infantry units.
- Lightweight Firepower: 120mm main guns, paired with advanced fire control systems, provide MBT-level lethality in a lighter platform, capable of engaging both armoured and soft targets.
- Enhanced Survivability: Composite and modular armour, combined with active protection systems, offers protection against kinetic and chemical threats, including ATGMs and loitering munitions. Modular designs allow rapid upgrades to counter evolving threats.
- Anti-Drone Capabilities: With drones becoming a significant threat, as seen in the recent India-Pakistan conflict (Operation Sindoor, May 2025), AVNL is prioritizing counter-drone systems, including electronic warfare suites and directed-energy weapons.
These features position Western designs as a strong fit for India’s operational needs, particularly in high-altitude environments where mobility, rapid deployment, and survivability are paramount.
Earlier reports suggested that AVNL had finalized an agreement with Russia’s Rosoboronexport to locally manufacture a variant of the 2S25 Sprut-SD, a 18-ton light tank designed for Russia’s airborne troops. The Sprut-SD, equipped with a 125mm 2A75 smoothbore gun, is optimized for air-droppable operations and high mobility, making it a potential candidate for India’s high-altitude requirements. Its ability to navigate rugged terrain and deliver MBT-level firepower was seen as a cost-effective solution, given India’s long-standing defence ties with Russia, which supplies 36% of India’s arms imports.
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