As reported by Alpha Defense on January 21, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a ₹1,560.52 crore contract (approximately $180,748,186.64) with the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), a division of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), for the procurement of 47 T-72 Bridge-Laying Tanks (BLTs) for the Indian Army. The agreement was finalized in New Delhi on January 21, 2025, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and senior officials from the MoD and HVF/AVNL.
India’s procurement of 47 T-72 BLTs aims to improve the operational capacity of its mechanized forces by enabling the rapid deployment of bridges during both offensive and defensive operations. The T-72 BLTs are designed to support the movement of armored units across obstacles such as rivers and trenches, addressing mobility challenges and ensuring tactical flexibility. This acquisition is part of a broader initiative to modernize India’s military infrastructure and maintain the operational relevance of the T-72 fleet.
The T-72 BLT, also known as BLT T-72, is an armored engineering vehicle (AEV) used to deploy prefabricated steel bridges during military operations. It assists in crossing natural and artificial obstacles, enabling tanks and armored vehicles to maintain mobility during combat. The system includes a scissors-type bridge that can be deployed in two configurations: a 20-meter span with a Military Load Classification (MLC) of 60, supporting vehicles up to 60 tons, and a 22-meter span with an MLC of 70, supporting vehicles up to 70 tons.