Vehicles

• Armet Gurkha
• Tata MBPV

Since 1991, the Republic of India has transformed from a closed and narrow economy into one of the world’s fastest-growing major powers, thanks to liberalization reforms, triggered by a major financial crisis and the collapse of the Soviet Union, India’s strategic partner. With reduced trade barriers, increased foreign investments, and a rapidly expanding private sector, many industries started to grow, especially those focusing on information technology and telecommunications. The growth also introduced opportunities in the defense market, allowing the Indian Army, which heavily relied on Soviet-supplied weaponry, to develop and procure domestic solutions instead. This self-sufficiency of the Indian Army has been an increasingly important goal for successive Indian governments.

Growth has allowed India to move into a more assertive global role, both politically and strategically. In May 1998, nuclear tests were conducted, among other things sending a strong signal to its adversaries, China and Pakistan, states that also possess nuclear weapons. Tensions between India and Pakistan have always been high, due to border disputes and accusations of cross-border terrorism. In 1999, the Kargil War was fought, and in May 2025, another 4-day armed conflict broke out. Tensions with China over disputed border areas also led to melee skirmishes between the Chinese and Indian Army in 2020-2021. In addition, India is dealing with several low-intensity insurgencies and religious tensions between the Hindu majority and Muslim minority. All these factors have led to some major and deadly incidents, such as the Bombay Riots in 1992-1993 and the 2008 Mumbai Attacks.

In the 1980s, India acquired over 2,400 Soviet T-72 main battle tanks. Most of these were produced under license at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF). In 2001, India began receiving the first T-90S Bhishma with more orders placed in the following years. Most of these were also license-produced by HVF. Over 1,300 were acquired. In 2019, another order for 464 was placed, with production ongoing. In addition, India has a small fleet of the Arjun MBT, locally developed in the 1980s and 1990s, entering service in 2004 with 141 units produced. In the 2010s, work began on the Future Main Battle Tank project. Based on the Arjun, this design is expected to replace older tanks in service in the 2030s. In the early 2020s, India also developed a light tank for mountain operations, the Zorawar. An order for 59 tanks has been placed, with prototypes undergoing trials since 2024.

India’s main infantry fighting vehicle is the BMP-2, but is taking into service the local Tata Kestrel wheeled 8×8 IFV. In terms of wheeled armored personnel carriers, armored tactical vehicles, and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, India fields large numbers, mostly local designs. Police and internal security forces also operate a variety of light armored vehicles. Indian companies offer a selection of their armored vehicles on the international market, but exports have generally been limited.