Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to visit Jabalpur in the last week of June to perform bhoomipujan for a new facility dedicated to overhauling of T-72 main battle tanks at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ). The new plant is being established to meet the Indian Army’s growing requirement for the overhaul and maintenance of its T-72 fleet. Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) selected VFJ to augment the existing overhaul capacity available at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi. As a part of this expansion programme, VFJ received approval in 2025 to undertake pilot overhauling of T-72 tanks. Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, a unit of AVNL, has already successfully completed overhaul of T-72 tanks in strict adherence to technical specifications and quality standards laid down by the Indian Army. The accomplishment has demonstrated the factory’s capability and preparedness to undertake large-scale overhaul operations to meet the Army’s operational requirements. Originally designed and manufactured in the Soviet Union, T-72 tank was inducted into the Indian Army during 1970s.

 

Over the years, production and modernisation of the platform were localised at Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi. Even today, T-72 remains a crucial element of the Indian Army’s armoured fleet and continues to play a vital role in the country’s defence preparedness. Under an ongoing modernisation programme, tanks are being upgraded with more powerful 1,000-horsepower engines to enhance their mobility and combat effectiveness. The overhaul initiative forms part of India’s broader objective of achieving greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing through technology transfer and licensed production by state-owned defence enterprises. Marking a significant expansion of its defence manufacturing capabilities, Vehicle Factory Jabalpur has now assumed responsibility for overhaul of these battle tanks. Having earlier successfully carried out the upgunning of the Sharang artillery gun, the T-72 overhaul programme represents another major milestone and opens a new chapter in the factory’s growing contribution to India’s indigenous defence ecosystem.