India approves emergency procurement of light tanks to equip mountain troops

Russia's 2S25 Sprut-SD light tank appears to be the Indian Army's most possible choice for their requirement for an air-transportable light tank.

The Indian Army was given an approval by the Indian government to conduct an emergency procurement of light tanks that can be deployed in mountainous areas, including its Himalayan borders with China.

The approval was said to have been made last week together with several other projects that are approved for emergency procurement.

This is to provide more firepower to mountain troops as they might potentially face Chinese troops equipped with the Chinese-made Type 15 light tank that was designed for operations in the Himalayan area for the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The Indian Army requirement is for an air-transportable light tank that can be airdropped in forward locations for rapid deployments. This is to compensate the lack of an effective road network that connects the border with the rest of India.

India confirmed that satellite images of Chinese Type 15 light tanks camouflaged near the border with India in Ladakh were seen. 

This gave a wake-up call to Indian defense leaders as part of the detailed study made by the Centre of Joint Warfare Studies for the reintroduction of light tanks.

The report indicated that light tanks enjoy enhanced strategic, operational, and tactical mobility for rapid deployment in inaccessible areas where medium tanks movement are impeded.

There are several areas in the Ladakh border that are seen where tanks and mechanized units can be used effectively.

India currently has limited options, as it does not have any light tank manufacturing program. Only Russia appears to be in a position to provide the tanks, with their 2S25 Sprut-SD light airborne-capable tank, which weighs only 20 tons.

This would be light enough to be carried by the Indian Air Force's fleet of C-17 Globemaster III and Ilyushin Il-76 strategic airlifters.


[1] India Economic Times
[2] The Defenstar 
[3] Swarajya