Bhishma is the Indian name for the Russian-made T-90s tanks. An amalgam
of T-80U and T-72B, the T-90S have superior fire control system and
mobility. These tanks can be used for over three decades with little or
no mid-life improvement. The tanks are fitted with the most advanced
jamming systems, laser warning receivers, day and night sighting system
and 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun with thermal capabilities. A Bhishma
tank, manned by a crew of three, weighs 48,000 kilos and can cross water
obstacles as deep as 5 meters and carry 1600 liters of fuel (diesel)
under its virtually impenetrable armor. Apart from its 125mm 2A46M
smoothbore gun, the 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the turret can be
operated both manually and remotely. Seven hundred of these were
purchased from Russia, and once another 347 (to be built in India) join
in, India will have the largest force of modernized tanks in South
Asia.
0 Comments