Rajnath lays foundation for tank overhaul facility in M.P., Pg14

Key Highlights:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for a ₹472-crore tank overhaul facility at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
• The new facility aims to overhaul 80 T-72 and T-90 tanks annually, bridging a capacity gap for the Indian Army.
• The project is part of India's push for self-reliance in defence, enhancing the Army's operational readiness and reducing dependence on foreign supply chains.
• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also attended the ceremony at the facility, which is a unit of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL).
• India's defence production has reportedly risen to ₹1.80 lakh crore in 2025-26 from ₹46,000 crore in 2014, with exports increasing to ₹39,000 crore from less than ₹1,000 crore.

Detailed Insights:

• The Indian Army requires approximately 230 tanks to be overhauled annually, with the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi currently handling 150 tanks.
• The new Jabalpur facility will help meet the remaining demand, ensuring faster availability of refurbished tanks for the armed forces.
• This initiative aligns with the government's focus on modernizing the armed forces with advanced equipment, including drones, missiles, and electronic warfare systems.
• The project is expected to significantly boost local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by generating opportunities for supplying various components and services.
• Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), under which the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur operates, was formed as one of the seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) from the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in 2021.
• The T-72 (known as 'Ajeya') and T-90 (known as 'Bhishma') are crucial main battle tanks forming the backbone of the Indian Army's armoured fleet.
• The expansion of overhaul capabilities domestically is a strategic move to enhance India's defence industrial ecosystem and reduce import dependency.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL): One of the seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) formed from the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), focused on manufacturing and overhauling armoured vehicles.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: A government initiative aimed at achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing, reducing import dependence, and boosting indigenous production and exports.
• T-72 and T-90 Tanks: Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) that constitute the primary armoured strength of the Indian Army, requiring regular overhauls to maintain operational readiness.