Nagpur ordnance factory makes indigenous armour plates for T-90 tanks, first consignment sent
Ordnance Factory Ambajhari has developed two grades of high-strength aluminium alloy armour plates for the first time in the country and dispatched the first lot.
A major milestone has been achieved in the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India' push in the defence manufacturing sector of Nagpur district. Ordnance Factory Ambajhari (OFAJ), a unit of Yantra India Limited (YIL), has developed two grades of 'high-strength aluminium alloy armour plates' for the first time in the country.
The first consignment of these indigenous armour plates was flagged off at a ceremony held at OFAJ. Vijaykumar Iyer, Director (Operations) and CMD of Yantra India Limited, flagged off the consignment. Ajay Kumar Yerpude, Executive Director of OFAJ, was also present.
The entire consignment has been sent to Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, the Chennai-based unit of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL). There, the plates will be used to make armour parts for the Indian Army's T-90 'Bhishma' tanks.
These special armour plates used for making T-90 tanks were so far imported from abroad. However, the supply chain for the imported plates was badly disrupted after the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India had no indigenous source for this special material. As a result, continued production of T-90 tanks at HVF Avadi had become a matter of serious concern. Ordnance Factory OFAJ in Nagpur has now produced a home-grown alternative, resolving this serious defence problem.
The plates give tanks and armoured vehicles a high level of ballistic protection and strength. Because aluminium alloy is used instead of steel, the overall weight of armoured platforms and defence systems is reduced, which increases the tanks' mobility.
Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited, Hyderabad, assisted with the development and rolling of the armour plate.
