Jabalpur: Vehicle Factory Jabalpur powers up Indian Army’s tank fleet with successful T-72 pilot overhaul in a major boost to India’s armoured vehicle sustainment capabilities.
In a key defence milestone, the state-run Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ), part of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), has completed the pilot overhaul of T-72 tanks, marking a new chapter in domestic tank maintenance and fleet readiness.
T-72 Tanks Overhaul: Historic Achievement for VFJ
Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) has successfully overhauled its first two T-72 tanks under a dedicated pilot project, a significant achievement for the Indian defence ecosystem.
The tanks were formally flagged off in a ceremony led by Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla, Master General Sustainment (MGS), who praised the VFJ team for finishing the complex task on time.
This successful overhaul demonstrates VFJ’s ability to take on more demanding roles in armoured vehicle sustainment, beyond its traditional production responsibilities.
Importance of T-72 Tanks Overhaul
The T-72 main battle tank is a backbone of India’s armoured forces, with hundreds of these Soviet-designed tanks in service. Maintaining and updating this fleet is crucial for battlefield readiness and long-term strategic strength.
The overhaul process involves complete disassembly, inspection, repair, replacement of worn parts, and reinstallation to bring tanks back to optimal performance standards. A successful pilot like this validates the capability of new facilities and teams.
Scaling Up Capacity Beyond Avadi
Previously, the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi, Tamil Nadu was the main unit responsible for tank overhaul projects. However, rising demand from the Indian Army necessitated expansion of high-quality overhaul facilities.
To meet this need, the Ministry of Defence approved the pilot project at VFJ in 2025, enabling it to supplement HVF’s capacity.
By distributing tasks, AVNL aims to reduce bottlenecks in turnaround times and strengthen the overall sustainment infrastructure for India’s armoured units.
Ceremony Highlights and Leadership Praise
The flag-off ceremony drew senior leadership from the Indian Army and AVNL.
Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla highlighted the “challenging nature” of the project and expressed confidence that VFJ is ready to take on larger overhaul contracts in the future.
Sanjay Dwivedi, Chairman and Managing Director of AVNL, congratulated the workforce and emphasized continued commitment to efficient tank overhauls for India’s defence needs.
Impact of T-72 Tanks Overhaul to the Indian Army
This pilot overhaul project holds strategic value in several ways:
Strengthening Combat Readiness
Regular overhaul ensures the T-72 fleet remains reliable and fully mission capable.
Supporting ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Vision
By enhancing domestic overhaul capability, India reduces dependence on foreign maintenance partners and strengthens indigenous defence infrastructure.
Creating Redundancy in Sustainment
Having multiple overhaul sites makes the system more resilient, especially during high operational demand periods.
What’s Next for VFJ and Armoured Vehicles
The success of this pilot project positions VFJ as a key node in future overhaul cycles.
With increased experience and trained workforce, VFJ is likely to receive larger contracts, helping keep the Indian Army’s armoured corps ready for evolving mission requirements.
Moreover, this step comes at a time when India’s defence manufacturing and upgrade plans, including eventual replacement programmes like the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV), are in development.
