In an effort to phase out the ageing Russian-made T-72 MBTs profitably, India plans to sell the tanks to be retired.
Defence Blog reported that the sale of T-72s to African, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asia with modernisation is under consideration by the Indian Army.
India acquired T-72 MBTs from Russia in the 1970s, and the next decades followed with local production. The factory which produced the tanks now produces the more modern T-90S Bhishma tanks.
In addition to the production of T-90S, India is producing indigenous Arjun Mk1/Mk1A MBTs, but it is experiencing severe technical difficulties that limit the production rate.
T-72 is one of the most widespread MBTs, even in modern times, due to its past large-scale production. The tank is in service with the Russian Army and has comprehensive modernisations alongside the newer T-80 and T-90 series of MBTs. The Russian modernisations of T-72 mostly include all-around cladding of explosive-reactive armour (ERA) packs and updates on the fire control system.
Ukraine and Russia are utilising different variants of T-72 in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
