SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army’s ambitious plan to modernize its armored fleet with the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) project is facing significant delays, compelling the Army to extend the service life of its aging T-72 tanks well into the 2030s. According to sources close to idrw.org, the FRCV project, which aims to replace the Soviet-era T-72 tanks with a new generation of main battle tanks (MBTs), remains stalled at the design stage.
The FRCV initiative is a critical component of India’s military modernization strategy, intended to equip the Army with tanks that feature advanced technology, superior mobility, enhanced survivability, and lethal firepower. The project requires that the new tanks be adaptable to various terrains and capable of meeting the challenges of contemporary warfare. Despite its importance, the project has not progressed beyond the initial phases due to bureaucratic and procedural hurdles.
One of the primary reasons for the delay is the Army’s struggle to finalize the provisional staff qualitative requirements (PSQR) for the FRCV. The PSQR is crucial as it outlines the specifications and capabilities that the new tank must possess, serving as the benchmark for companies bidding to develop the tank. Without a finalized PSQR, the project cannot move forward to the next stages of prototype development, trials, and eventual selection.
Given this delay, sources suggest that the Indian Army might have to operate its T-72 tanks until at least 2035. The T-72, first inducted into the Indian Army in the 1970s, has undergone several upgrades to extend its service life and capabilities. However, the tank’s obsolescence in the face of modern combat scenarios, especially against the backdrop of evolving warfare tactics and technologies, is a growing concern.
To bridge the gap, the Army will continue to invest in upgrades, including better engines, thermal imaging, and fire-control systems for the T-72 fleet. This approach, however, is seen more as a stopgap measure rather than a long-term solution.
Once the PSQR is finalized and issued, the project will invite proposals from interested companies, leading to a competitive selection process. The selected companies will receive funding for prototype development, followed by extensive trials. However, the timeline for this process to culminate in the selection and induction of the FRCV now appears to extend beyond the next five years, as initially planned.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.