Indian Army Armored Vehicles

Kunal Biswas

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Mechanised Forces

A total of eight tanks were put into Jaffna. They came out of Sri Lanka by sea, but their effectiveness against the LTTE is debatable. With the commandos still holding out, 54 Divison put into action a ‘rescue’ plan to extricate them. A relief force under the 10 Para CO, Lt. Col. Dalbir Singh, was sent along with three T-72 tanks from the 65 Armoured Regiment. This was given up when they found that the approach roads were hopelessly booby trapped with IED Mines.

The commander of the tank troop, Major Anil Kaul, came upon a brilliant idea. Knowing the rail tracks passed behind Jaffna University, he drove his tanks on the Palaly-Jaffna rail line. Passing through the narrow lanes, an RPG-7 fired on him, hitting the turret. The explosion severed his wedding ring finger. Splinters hit him in the eye and arm. His men put him on morphine and they fought their way to the Para Commandos.

The other problem was the aging officer corps. There were commanding officers and company commander who were in the 40 to 45 age bracket. While the younger Majors and Lt Cols performed well, these older men were found wanting. One such commander would go into operations riding the BMP open hatch. A veteran of the 1971 war, he brushed aside his men's warnings. One day a burst a heavy machine gun fire ripped him up.

Tanks were used in direct fire mode to blast opposition in built up areas. They were used to get units surrounded by the enemy to safety. eg. Paras in Jaffna Univ raid. Initial deployment was poor with no supporting infantry on the flanks, but once the infantry battalions were to full strength they were well flanked with infantry. The T-72s managed to cope with the narrow lanes, an indication of its size and manouevrability. It was exposed to severe RPG-7 fire that helped determine its weak points. About three T-72s were lost due to drums packed with 200 kg of explosives. These had been inserted before the road was tarred.

A number of BMPs were also deployed. While some commanders complained about lack of terrain to use it effectively, others did adapt and make good use of it wherever possible. Mostly it had to be used in the dismounted role as fire support platform. In the initial stages, some BMPs were lost to LTTE drum mines. Both, T-72s and BMPs, were used to run over anti personnel mines and IEDs. Overall losses of both T-72s and BMPs were less than 10.

Source :

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/1987ipkf/300-appendix-a.html
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/history/1987ipkf/1032-article01.html
 

Vinod DX9

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CV90-120-T Ghost, from all aspect this can be potent replacement of T-72 Ajeyas. We can use Kanchan Armour instead original steel

Besides, DRDO should start working again on their old 105 mm light tank. 120 mm smoothbore gun in redesigned turret on Tracked Kestrel hull (better than BMP-2 hence) with indigeous stealth ADAPTIV. Mobile Camouflage System, Active Protection System already being developed indigenously. As it need just 800 hp engine, using 900 hp one we can give more power to it. I don't think anything other actually can be better than this. Let Arjun Mk II come in huge nos.
 

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