The Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Tuesday entered into an agreement with Heavy Vehicles Factory, a unit of Armored Vehicle Nigam Limited, to purchase 47 T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT) for the Indian Army, officials said.
The contract, worth Rs 1,560.52 crore, was signed by senior officials of MoD and HVF/AVNL in the presence of Defense Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in Delhi.
The indigenously developed IT-72 BTL has been used to launch bridges during offensive and defensive operations by the armed forces. The equipment, which weighs 49 tons and seats three people, plays an important role in integrating the operation of bridges on tanks and armored personnel carriers, improving the mobility of the battle and the ability to attack.
“This project reinforces India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing and is expected to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Army,” a senior official said.
According to a government statement, the latest deal, which is Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed and Manufactured), will give impetus to the Make-in-India initiative in defence. “This project will also play an important role in boosting the economy as a whole and increasing job opportunities in the country,” added the statement.