As an initiative for the enhancement of India’s military capabilities, by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the T-90 “Bhishma” main battle tank has been equipped with a cutting-edge underwater operation system. This innovation allows the tank to remain fully functional even under the water for up to an hour thereby improving its ability to navigate through challenging river terrains along India’s border along China and Pakistan.
Indian Army Tanks Gain Strategic Underwater Edge
The T-90 “Bhishma”, with its new underwater capability has enabled India to upgrade its main battle tank developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
This development allows the tank and its crew to operate while fully submerged in water for up to one hour, even at depths of five metres.
This upgrade holds a significant importance for India’s northern and western borders with Pakistan and China, respectively, where rivers often make it difficult for tanks to move during various military operations.
While the T-9- could already handle water, this innovation enabled the safety and functionality of the crew during the underwater missions as it was an alarming concern earlier. This concern has been dealt with by this new innovation as it lets the crew breathe and work normally inside the tank, even when it’s underwater. This breakthrough makes it easier for tanks by enabling them to cross rivers quickly and safely, improving the army’s mobility and combat readiness. The system is now ready for mass production as the tests conducted at multiple sites have been successful. The Indian Army is planning to install it across its fleet of over 1,100 T-90 tanks in two phases. Therefore, this innovation is successful in improving both crew safety and the tank’s combat performance, making the T-90 most effective in river-heavy terrains thereby boosting India’s military strength in critical border regions.
