![]() Despite many studies and papers including by the Perspective Planning Directorate on the need of having light tanks for our Northern borders and Rann of Kutch as well as part of the Armoured Division, the mandarins felt otherwise and continued to vacillate. The importance of light tanks has been flagged time and again including in the Krishna Rao Committee Report (1976) with General Sunderji as one of the members of that Committee. Indian Army continued to maintain three regiments of light tanks through the 80’s and a regiment till late 90’s. In Bangladesh war AMX-13 and PT-76 turned the tables in the battle of Garibpur. In 1962 AMX-13 were used in the battle of Gurung Hill and also deployed in Bombdila and Darrang. In1948 these came very handy in the battle of Zojila to push back the Pakistani forces. Stuarts and Sherman tanks were used in the battle of Kohima in 1944. ![]() ![]() Light tanks have been exploited in practically every operation since independence in India. Apparently the Indian Amy has opted for 2S25M Sprut-SDM1, an upgraded version of BDM2 with T-90 Turret System of Russian origin which essentially is a tank destroyer to be the new light tank in it’s inventory. One of the mainstream media, during the mid of July reported that “The government, amid border tensions with China, has given the approval to the Army for emergency procurement of lightweight tanks that can be deployed in high-altitude conditions.” It also reported that the army has been given the go-ahead for urgent purchases amid signs that Beijing intends to keep the border hot.
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