SOURCE: AFI
In a significant move to enhance India’s armored warfare capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is finalizing a procurement order for 500 Invar anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) from Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a state-run defense public sector undertaking. The deal, estimated to cost between Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 3,000 crore, aims to equip the Indian Army’s T-90 “Bhishma” main battle tanks with advanced precision-guided missile systems, reinforcing India’s operational readiness along its sensitive northern and western borders. This announcement, made on May 27, 2025, underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
The Invar ATGM, a laser-guided, tank-fired missile, is designed to neutralize enemy armored vehicles, including those equipped with explosive reactive armor (ERA). Fired from the 125mm gun barrel of the T-90 tank, the Invar (3UBK20) missile boasts a range of 5 kilometers and a tandem warhead capable of destroying both stationary and moving targets at speeds up to 70 kmph. Its high hit-and-kill probability makes it a critical asset for India’s mechanized formations, particularly in countering advanced enemy tanks in high-threat zones.
The T-90 Bhishma, a mainstay of the Indian Army’s armored corps, is deployed extensively along India’s borders with Pakistan and China, where regional tensions and the evolving nature of armored warfare necessitate enhanced firepower. “Invar missiles are designed to be launched from tank platforms. The Defence Ministry is finalizing an order for 500 missiles from BDL, with the total expenditure expected to be in the range of Rs 2,000 crore–3,000 crore,” a senior government official told Moneycontrol. The acquisition aligns with the strategic intent to bolster deterrence and operational readiness in response to growing regional challenges, including China’s expanding military presence and Pakistan’s reported interest in advanced platforms like China’s J-35A stealth fighter.
Bharat Dynamics Limited, based in Hyderabad, is a key player in India’s defense ecosystem, manufacturing a range of missile systems, including surface-to-air missiles (Akash, MRSAM), torpedoes, and anti-tank guided missiles like the Invar and MILAN-2T. The company has a proven track record of delivering high-precision weaponry, with a robust order book of Rs 3,110 crore and projected revenue growth of 28–30% in FY25. The Invar missiles, produced under a technical collaboration with Russia’s Rosoboronexport, reflect BDL’s expertise in license-producing advanced systems while advancing India’s indigenization goals.
This procurement follows a Rs 3,000 crore contract in 2013 for Invar missiles, highlighting BDL’s long-standing role in equipping the Indian Army’s T-90 fleet. The company is also expanding its manufacturing capabilities, with plans to double production in the next 3–5 years and triple it over the next decade, positioning it to meet the growing demand for indigenous defense systems. The order has sparked positive sentiment in the market, with BDL’s shares rising over 2% on May 27, 2025, ahead of its Q4 earnings announcement.
The Invar procurement is part of a broader push to modernize India’s armed forces, following the success of Operation Sindoor, a high-precision military strike that showcased India’s growing reliance on indigenous technologies, including drones, electronic warfare, and layered air defense systems. The acquisition comes on the heels of the Defence Acquisition Council’s (DAC) approval of Rs 40,000 crore in emergency defense procurements earlier in May 2025, signaling the government’s urgency to address critical capability gaps.
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