UPSC Current Affairs
Overhauled T90 Bhishma
Indian Army has taken a significant step towards enhancing its operational capabilities with the rollout of its first overhauled T-90 Bhishma tank. This move is part of a broader initiative to achieve self-reliance and enhance military readiness. BACKGROUND Introduction: The T-90 Bhishma has been the Indian Army's main battle tank since 2003, recognized for its superior firepower, speed, and protection.
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Indian Army has taken a significant step towards enhancing its operational capabilities with the rollout of its first overhauled T-90 Bhishma tank. This move is part of a broader initiative to achieve self-reliance and enhance military readiness. BACKGROUND Introduction: The T-90 Bhishma has been the Indian Army's main battle tank since 2003, recognized for its superior firepower, speed, and protection.
Indian Army has taken a significant step towards enhancing its operational capabilities with the rollout of its first overhauled
T-90 Bhishma tank. This move is part of a broader initiative to achieve
self-reliance and enhance military readiness.
BACKGROUND
- Introduction: The T-90 Bhishma has been the Indian Army's main battle tank since 2003, recognized for its superior firepower, speed, and protection.
- Operational Significance: The tank's overhaul aims to increase its lethality and effectiveness in various combat scenarios, aligning with the Army's ongoing “Decade of Transformation.”
OVERHAUL PROCESS
- Complexity: The overhaul involves a comprehensive disassembly of the tank, allowing for the replacement of damaged parts and upgrades to enhance performance.
- Location: This specific overhaul was conducted at the 505 Army Base Workshop, part of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers in Delhi
- Indigenous Skills: The process shows India's growing indigenous maintenance and technical capabilities in defense manufacturing.
KEY FEATURES
- Physical Specifications:
- Weight: Approximately 47 tonnes.
- Dimensions: 9.6 meters long and 2.8 meters wide.
- Maneuverability: Its compact size allows for quick movement through diverse terrains, including forests, mountains, and marshy areas, with a maximum speed of 60 kilometers per hour.
- Firepower:
- Armament: Equipped with a 125 mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing various types of shells.
- Anti-Aircraft Capability: Features an anti-aircraft gun that can engage aerial targets within a two-kilometer range and fire up to 800 shells per minute.
- Crew Coordination: Operated by a crew of three (commander, gunner, and driver) who work in concert to identify and eliminate targets.
- Advanced Technology:
- Thermal Sighting System: Enhances target detection capabilities, allowing the tank to identify targets up to 8 kilometers away in both day and night conditions.
WHAT IS AN ANTICRAFT AIRGUN?
- Definition: An anti-aircraft gun is a weapon designed to combat aerial threats from ground or shipboard positions.
- Historical Context: The development of anti-aircraft weapons began in the early 20th century, coinciding with the rise of military aviation.
- Prelims: Key facts, institutions, locations and terminology in the article.
- Mains: Connect the topic with Environment, Defence, Polity & Governance.
- Revision: Use the article headings to prepare concise notes and answer-writing points.
Test your understanding
Questions from this article
Prelims practiceWith reference to Overhauled T90 Bhishma, consider the following statements:
- Introduction: The T-90 Bhishma has been the Indian Army's main battle tank since 2003, recognized for its superior firepower, speed, and protection.
- Operational Significance: The tank's overhaul aims to increase its lethality and effectiveness in various combat scenarios, aligning with the Army's ongoing “Decade of Transformation.”
- Complexity: The overhaul involves a comprehensive disassembly of the tank, allowing for the replacement of damaged parts and upgrades to enhance performance.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
View answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements are drawn from the article.
Mains practiceDiscuss the background, key issues and significance of Overhauled T90 Bhishma for India.
Answer in 250 words.
View answer approach
- BACKGROUND
- OVERHAUL PROCESS
- KEY FEATURES
- WHAT IS AN ANTICRAFT AIRGUN?
- Note:
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
Why is Overhauled T90 Bhishma in the news?
Indian Army has taken a significant step towards enhancing its operational capabilities with the rollout of its first overhauled T-90 Bhishma tank. This move is part of a broader initiative to achieve self-reliance and enhance military readiness.
What are the key facts about Overhauled T90 Bhishma?
BACKGROUND Introduction: The T-90 Bhishma has been the Indian Army's main battle tank since 2003, recognized for its superior firepower, speed, and protection. Operational Significance: The tank's overhaul aims to increase its lethality and effectiveness in various combat scenarios, aligning with the Army's ongoing “Decade of Transformation.” OVERHAUL PROCESS Complexity: The overhaul involves a comprehensive… Location: This specific overhaul was conducted at the 505 Army Base Workshop, part of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers in Delhi Indigenous Skills: The process shows India's growing indigenous maintenance and technical capabilities in defense…
Why is Overhauled T90 Bhishma important for UPSC preparation?
The topic connects current developments with Environment, Defence, Polity & Governance and is relevant for both objective revision and analytical answer writing.