Latest news with #T-72s
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
LoC fortified: T-72s to anchor India's future border defence
India moved its T-72 main battle tanks right up to the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir's Akhnoor sector as part of Operation Sindoor . This was a direct response to unprovoked Pakistani aggression and attempts to support terrorist infiltration into Indian territory. The tanks—fitted with 125mm guns and missiles capable of hitting targets 4,000 metres away—formed the core of a joint deployment of air defence, artillery, and infantry, as reported by TOI. 'T-72s are integral. Fitted with 125mm guns and missile capability up to 4,000m, they were moved in as part of joint force deployment,' a senior Army officer told TOI on Tuesday. Ground armour and infiltration control The T-72s, alongside BMP-2 armoured vehicles, remain stationed along key points of the LoC. Their mission: seal off infiltration routes and maintain constant operational readiness. These armoured units were critical in neutralising Pakistani posts that served as platforms for cross-border terror movements. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Would you like to know more? Undo An Army officer involved in the operation told NDTV , 'We also hit enemy posts which were facilitating infiltration. We know which posts are used as bases for infiltration by the enemy. An informed call was taken – and the targets were hit.' Precision fire and unmanned threats Indian air defence units intercepted multiple drone swarm threats during the operation. 'As the enemy unleashed a new threat of drone swarms, it was the Indian Army's air defence that truly emerged as the shining shield — demonstrating exceptional skill, resilience, and cutting-edge coordination to intercept every aerial menace,' said Brigadier Mudit Mahajan, Commander of the Poonch Brigade, in a TOI report. Live Events Artillery coordination and air support enabled strikes on nine high-value terror targets across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), six of which were successfully neutralised. These were situated opposite the Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor sectors. Heavy casualties and strategic pause In retaliatory action across north Kashmir, including Kupwara and Tangdhar, Indian forces destroyed nine more terror hideouts. These were in difficult terrain, yet Indian troops sustained zero casualties. In contrast, the Pakistani military reportedly suffered 65 fatalities. 'So far, we have inputs of imposing heavy numbers in fatal and non-fatal casualties upon the enemy,' Brigadier Mahajan stated. Indian forces have been on constant alert. 'Operation Sindoor is not over but only remains suspended for the time being,' he added. 'The Indian Army remains alert and ready, and if challenged again, we will respond yet again not with words but fire and resolve of the nation.' Pakistan's artillery failings exposed In the Mendhar sector, Indian teams discovered a 155mm Pakistani shell that failed to detonate. Shockingly, it was fitted with a plug instead of a fuse. 'This is the most basic error,' said Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Bartwal, defence spokesperson in Jammu. 'Fitting a fuse is basic training for gunners worldwide. This highlights shallow training standards and Pakistan's hollow claims on global platforms.' Bomb disposal teams are still combing areas in Poonch, Krishna Ghati, and Mendhar, following strict safety protocols to remove unexploded shells without risking civilian lives. Air strikes and shifting gears As the operation intensified, the Indian Air Force launched strikes on key Pakistani airbases, crippling infrastructure at Chaklala, Rafiqui, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad. 'Aggression was met with calibrated and coordinated force,' said Air Marshal A.K. Bharti. Brigadier Mahajan revealed that Indian forces had originally planned a limited strike. 'The Army struck with unmatched precision and purpose – six of nine critical terrorist targets struck were opposite Poonch, Rajouri and Akhnoor and these were neutralised effectively that night.' Only after Pakistan escalated by targeting civilian areas did Indian forces shift to hitting military installations. Russian T-72s: The power behind the tank India's T-72s are Soviet-designed tanks first inducted into service in the early 1980s. With a combat range of 500km, a top speed of 60 kmph, and explosive reactive armour, they are built for high-intensity engagements. The Indian Army operates about 2,500 of these, built domestically at Avadi's Heavy Vehicles Factory. A new $248 million deal with Russia's Rosoboronexport will replace existing engines with 1,000 HP upgrades, enhancing battlefield mobility. The agreement also includes technology transfer to India's Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited, part of the 'Make in India' initiative. India has already announced a plan to build nearly 600 indigenous tanks to replace ageing T-72 units. This move is in response to Russia's limited supply capacity due to its war in Ukraine. As India diversifies its defence partnerships, its focus remains on modernisation without compromising strategic autonomy. Although military operations have been paused since 10 May, Indian troops maintain 24x7 surveillance. 'We did not wait to react; we prepared to respond,' said Brigadier Mahajan. He stressed that the Poonch Brigade 'was not a part but the heart of Operation Sindoor.' While the ceasefire holds for now, India's position is clear. As the Defence Ministry warned, any future terror attack will be considered 'an act of war'.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor: T-72s add heft to firepower along LoC
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: India deployed T-72 tanks along LoC in Akhnoor sector of J&K during Operation Sindoor , with armoured firepower, air defence precision, and artillery coordination delivering a strong response to Pakistan's aggression. Operation also exposed serious lapses in Pakistan's artillery training, with an unexploded shell found fitted with a plug instead of a fuse. 'T-72s are integral. Fitted with 125mm guns and missile capability up to 4,000m, they were moved in as part of joint force deployment,' a senior officer said Tuesday. T-72s remain stationed along LoC alongside BMP-2 armoured vehicles to seal infiltration routes, underlining sustained readiness. Army officers said the operation remains on hold, not 'terminated or concluded', with military action against Pakistan paused since May 10. Soldiers maintain 24x7 vigilance along LoC. 'If challenged again, we will respond not with words, but with fire and the nation's resolve,' Poonch Brigade Commander Brig Mudit Mahajan said. Air defence units neutralised multiple drone swarm threats, emerging as 'the shining shield' of the operation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Approvato! Lo Stato copre i tuoi pannelli solari se vivi in questi CAP Undo 'Exceptional skill, resilience, and coordination ensured every aerial threat was intercepted,' said Brig Mahajan. Indian precision firepower hit nine critical targets across LoC in PoK, neutralising six key terrorist camps opposite Poonch, Rajouri, and Akhnoor. 'We struck with unmatched precision and purpose,' Brig Mahajan said. In north Pir Panjal, Army reported zero casualties on Indian side while confirming 65 Pakistani soldiers were killed in retaliatory strikes. DGMO Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai had earlier estimated 35–40 Pakistani personnel killed between May 7 and 10 in LoC exchanges. In north Kashmir's Kupwara and Tangdhar sectors, Indian forces neutralised nine major terrorist hideouts, some deemed inaccessible. Top officials reported zero casualties on the Indian side. 'We struck with unmatched precision,' Brig Mahajan said, stressing that Poonch Brigade was 'not a part but the heart of Operation Sindoor'. Air Marshal AK Bharti said IAF airstrikes across western sector crippled Pakistani airbases and military infrastructure. Targets included Chaklala, Rafiqui, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Bhulari, and Jacobabad. 'Aggression was met with calibrated and coordinated force,' he said. During the offensive, Pakistani artillery's poor training came into sharp focus. An unexploded 155mm shell discovered in Mendhar sector of Jammu region was found fitted with a plug instead of a fuse. 'This is the most basic error,' said Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, defence spokesperson in Jammu. 'Fitting a fuse is basic training for gunners worldwide. This highlights shallow training standards and Pakistan's hollow claims on global platforms,' he said. Army's bomb disposal teams, in coordination with J&K police, are conducting operations across Poonch, Krishna Ghati, and Mendhar to clear unexploded shells. 'Operations follow strict safety protocols with minimal risk to civilian life and property,' Col Bartwal said.
Forbes
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Ukraine Lost Too Many Tanks In Kursk
A destroyed Ukrainian M-1 in Kursk. Russian state media capture Since Russia widened its war on Ukraine 37 months ago, Russian forces have lost no fewer than 3,200 tanks in combat, according to an unofficial tally by the open-source analysts with the Oryx collective. Ukrainian forces have lost around 950 tanks. That translates into a 3.4-to-1 loss ratio favoring Ukraine. But in the eight-month battle for Kursk in western Russia, the Russians wrote off 66 tanks, while the Ukrainians gave up 55. That's a mere 1.2-to-1 ratio favoring Ukraine. In other words, nearly even. That's bad news for Ukraine, which according to one recent analysis needs to inflict three times as many losses on Russia as Russia inflicts on Ukraine in order to degrade the Russian military faster than Russia degrades the Ukrainian military. The Ukrainians were hitting that critical benchmark prior to their August invasion of Kursk in western Russia. During the invasion, which ended in a Ukrainian retreat last week, the Russians gave as good as they got, knocking out or capturing more tanks than the Ukrainians could afford to lose. The Ukrainian armed forces went to war in February 2022 with around 1,000 active tanks—mostly ex-Soviet T-64s and T-72s. After losing around 950 tanks to Russian action, receiving another 850 or so tanks as donations from their allies and fetching others from long-term storage in Ukraine, the Ukrainians still have … at least 1,000 tanks. The Russian armed forces went to war three years ago with around 3,500 active tanks—T-72s, T-80s and T-90s—and have lost 3,200 to Ukrainian action. Russian industry builds 500 or 600 new tanks a year—too few to make good losses—but the Kremlin also has access to thousands of stored tanks, many of them T-62s and T-54s dating from the 1960s and '50s, respectively. A captured Russian T-90 in Kursk. Via Lost_WarInUA The two armies' respective main sources for replacement tanks mean the Ukrainian tank corps is gradually becoming more modern as it takes delivery of more Western-made tanks including German-made Leopard 1s and Leopard 2s and American-made M-1s. By contrast, the Russian tank corps is getting less modern as it inducts hundreds of older tanks, some 60 or even 70 years old. At the time of the Ukrainian retreat from Kursk last week—a departure precipitated by an elite Russian drone group deploying to the oblast and bombarding Ukraine's main supply line—Ukrainian tankers had already achieved local tank superiority in some areas. But not in Kursk, a veritable graveyard for armored vehicles owing to the relatively small scale of the battlefield in the oblast, the high concentration of Russian and Ukrainian forces and, most critically, the sheer number of explosive drones patrolling overhead. Destroying roughly as many tanks as they lost in the oblast, the Russians deprived Kyiv of a badly needed victory. According to Frontelligence Insight, a Ukrainian analysis group, a 1-to-1 loss ratio is 'an unfavorable scenario for Ukraine in a war of attrition, given its smaller initial stockpile and limited ability to replace lost vehicles.'
