India is preparing to significantly expand its capacity to maintain and repair its ageing fleet of T-72 and T-90 battle tanks. By April 2028, the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) intends to commence a large-scale overhaul programme, targeting the restoration of 80 tanks every year. This strategic move is designed to establish Jabalpur as a second primary hub for tank maintenance, complementing the long-standing capabilities of the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, Tamil Nadu.
The ambitious project, estimated to cost ₹462 crore, requires engineers to decode and interpret decades-old Soviet-era technical drawings, many of which remain in Russian. This process involves more than simple translation; it requires a deep understanding of the specialised fixtures, complex machinery, and facility layouts originally designed to support these armoured platforms. According to Harsh Bhatnagar, the deputy general manager at VFJ, engineering teams have been conducting exhaustive studies of this equipment to reconstruct the necessary technical knowledge for dismantling and reassembling the tanks.
In instances where original blueprints are missing or illegible, Indian engineers are opting to create their own indigenous designs rather than relying solely on foreign documentation. So far, the teams at Jabalpur, working in coordination with the Avadi facility, have successfully deciphered nearly 70% of the required technical drawings for the specialised fixtures. This collaborative effort falls under the purview of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), the defence public sector undertaking responsible for overseeing both facilities.
The overhaul process itself is a labour-intensive procedure that extends far beyond routine maintenance. Rather than addressing isolated mechanical faults, a full overhaul involves the complete dismantling of the tank, a rigorous examination of all systems, the replacement or repair of worn-out components, and a final reassembly and testing phase. Each tank typically requires about four months to undergo this full restoration cycle. Currently, the Jabalpur facility is focusing its initial efforts on the tank's hull and turret, with work on internal systems scheduled for a subsequent phase.
Training remains a cornerstone of the initiative. Staff members from various engineering disciplines have been dispatched to Avadi to gain hands-on experience, while specialists from both locations coordinate to prepare the Jabalpur site. While approximately 80 personnel are currently engaged in the project, the workforce is expected to grow significantly. VFJ estimates that the factory will eventually require roughly 650 trained employees to reach its full operational capacity.
The need for this facility is driven by the operational requirements of the Indian Army, which relies heavily on Soviet-origin T-72 'Ajeya' and Russian-designed T-90 'Bhishma' main battle tanks. Over time, as these vehicles accumulate years of service, they require comprehensive structural and mechanical attention that routine servicing cannot provide. The project at Jabalpur serves as both a practical maintenance solution and an exercise in preserving critical technical expertise related to military equipment.
The successful pilot programme involving two T-72 tanks has already laid the groundwork for this larger rollout. By bridging the gap between Soviet-era engineering and modern indigenous ingenuity, India is positioning itself to maintain its armoured strength more effectively. As the April 2028 target approaches, the ongoing efforts in Jabalpur represent a significant step in enhancing the country's domestic military support infrastructure, ensuring its battle tanks remain operational for years to come.
Comments