NEW DELHI - India is preparing to deploy more than 460 main battletanks along its border with Pakistan, substantially increasing its already sizable tank force in the area.
Senior defense officials confirmed to IHS Jane 360, the Indian army’s plans to deploy the newly ordered T-90MS MBTs along India's western and northern borders with Pakistan.
The T-90 is the main battle tank of the Indian Army, replacing the older variants of T-72 and T-55 tanks in the force.
The MBTs have been specifically designed for export by Russia, at a cost of $2 billion, and will join the existing 900 or so T-90S Bhishma tanks currently deployed in the Indian states of Rajasthan and Punjab.
The move comes months after Pakistan threatened India with a nuclear attack prompting speculation that the move is part of India’s unofficial ‘Cold Start’ strategy.
Last September, Pakistan threatened nuclear warfare on India as the 70 year old tensions flared up following Indian armed forces strikes against alleged terrorists operating from Pakistani territory.
“We will destroy India if it dares to impose war on us,” Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaj Asif said.
“Pakistan army is fully prepared to answer any misadventure of India. We have not made atomic device to display in a showcase. If a such a situation arises we will use it (nuclear weapons) and eliminate India.”
‘Cold Start’ doctrine
The new tanks will come with new thermal imaging sights and will be divided up into ten new regiments. They will also include a “Make in India” element for integration at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi near Chennai, according to India Today.
However, the purchase has yet to be cleared by the Defense Acquisition Council, headed by Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, according to Indian Defence News.
Analysts say the significant increase in tank capability at the border could indicate India is preparing to activate its ‘Cold Start’ doctrine if required.
Smoke billows as Pakistani army tanks and gunship helicopters hit their targets during a military exercise in Bahawalpur. Pakistan's army held its biggest military exercises "Azm-e-Nau-3", or New Resolve 3, involving troops from all services and the Pakistani Air Force, from April 10 to May 20, 2010.–File photo
The military doctrine was developed in the event of conflict with Pakistan and is a strategy that calls on India's conventional forces to perform holding attacks before international intervention or before nuclear retaliation from Pakistan.
India has consistently denied having such a stance, but in 2011 Army chief General V K Singh admitted there was a ‘proactive strategy’ in place.
Earlier this month, India's newly appointed Army chief, General Bipin Rawat, admitted in an interview with India Today, that the “Cold Start doctrine exists for conventional military operations.”
Currency Rates in Pakistan Today - Pakistani rupee to US Dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham, and Riyal - 19 April 2024
Pakistani currency saw minor adjustment against global currencies on April 19, 2024. US dollar was being quoted at 277.4 for buying and 280.4 for selling.
Euro comes down to 293 for buying and 296 for selling while British Pound stands at 342.25 for buying, and 345.65 for selling.
UAE Dirham AED was at 75.2 and Saudi Riyal's new rates was at 73.30.
Today’s currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 19 April 2024
