In a bid to test the prowess of its Main Battle Tanks (MBT) on foreign soil, India will for the first time use its indigenous T-90s, known as Bhishma, at the 2017 International Army Games (IAG) to be held in Russia from July 29 to August 12, this year.
India has been participating at the IAG since 2014 and this will be its fourth year at the mega event. Indian Army team finished sixth last year out of 19 teams in the Tank Biathlon event where only Russia and China used their tanks while all the other countries were provided with Russian tanks. Due to its home advantage, the Russian soldiers use higher category — 1000 BHP tanks — while others get to use 800 BHP. India also depends on the Russian tanks at the Tank Biathlon event.
However, it was felt that not being in own machine puts Indian team in a disadvantageous position. This year not only India wants to show case its tanks at the Games but also improve its position in the competition. The T-90s have already sailed for Russia last Sunday with its technical support team.
T-90s are considered one of the most successful main battle tanks and even though made with the help of Russia, they are 70 per cent indigenous. Indian Army had signed a contract with Russia for procurement of 310 T-90s in February 2001. Out of these 124 were built in Russia while rest came as ‘knocked down’ form and were assembled in India and fitted with thermal imagers, self protection systems.
Sources said that carrying own equipments will not only help India improve its performance at the Games but also test the prowess of its machines.
“We have been going to the event without our tank so far which certainly put us in a disadvantaged position. This will be the first time India will be taking it own equipment,” sources said. They added that the event will also help them identify the areas where the T-90s can be improved and modified for more power and agility. Besides, India’s participation at the Games helps improve Defence-military cooperation with Russia and other countries.
In fact, the Tank Biathlon event gives Russia an opportunity to showcase its products and several countries that checked out the Russian machines later tied up with the host country to improve its own tanks. However, China uses its specially made T-96B tanks, a special version of its main battle tank, for the Games. It is an improved version of the T-96 machines.
The International Army Games were initially conducted in Russia and Kazakhstan but this year the tournament will be spread over five countries — Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Belarus. Competition is held in 24 disciplines including Tank Biathlon and Sniper Competition. However, the number of events will be 28 this year with six events taking place in China. These will be infantry fighting vehicle event, air defence, air borne troops, Nuclear Biological and Chemical(NBC) reconnaissance, air force and maintenance platoon event. Kazakhstan will host events on UAV, Artillery and Motor and snipers for which they provide the weapons. last year 21 Indian soldiers participated in the event and this year the contingent is going to be higher due to additional technical staff going with the tanks.