India's battle tank evolution set to hit new gear: AVNL to come out with prototype of Bharat tank by 2026

In what could come as a definite leap in India's armoured warfare, state-run Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) is planning to unveil a prototype of the light-weight, new-generation Bharat tank by next year.

 

Chennai-headquartered public sector firm AVNL is a major manufacturer of various Main Battle Tanks such as Ajeya, Bhishma, Arjun; Infantry Combat Vehicle (Sarath); Armoured Personnel Carrier, Combat Support vehicles (BLT, MPV, and AERV), and other defence mobility solutions.

 

On the sidelines of the recently concluded AeroDefCon 2025 at Chennai Trade Centre, an AVNL official revealed that the primary focus of the company has always been making world-class battle tanks.

 

As tanks continue to be a mainstay of land-based warfare, offering mobility, firepower, and protection, the company said it has showcased five of its advanced tank models at the expo.

 

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AVNL is currently working on the Bharat tank project, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the government of India to achieve self-reliance in defence, according to a company official.

 

"The design and development phase will be completed by the end of 2025, and by late 2026, we aim to roll out the first prototype," DTNEXT quoted the AVNL official as saying.

 

Expected to weigh around 25 tonnes, this highly agile modern light tank with superior firepower will be suitable for diverse terrains and will be particularly useful in border and high altitude regions. 

Defence