The tank has faced existential questions following the conflict in Ukraine, where anti-tank missiles and drone-delivered munitions have produced dramatic images of destroyed armoured vehicles. Yet India's military planners maintain that tanks remain decisive in the operational environments most relevant to India's security challenges — from the plains of Punjab and Rajasthan to the valleys of Jammu and the mountain passes of Arunachal Pradesh. The Bharat Defence Tech Show has provided a sophisticated forum for examining what the future of armoured warfare means for India's procurement priorities.
The Arjun Main Battle Tank, India's indigenous armoured flagship, has undergone significant capability enhancement with the Arjun Mk1A variant incorporating 72 major improvements. BDTS discussions have addressed the long-standing challenges of Arjun's production ramp-up and the complex political economy of choosing between indigenous development (Arjun) and proven import (T-90 from Russia) for the Indian Army's armoured expansion. These discussions have been among BDTS's most frank, reflecting the genuine complexity of choices that India's procurement officials face.
India's Future Ready Combat Vehicle programme seeks to develop a next-generation Main Battle Tank that addresses Arjun's weight limitations while incorporating active protection systems, hunter-killer capabilities, and hybrid electric drive. BDTS has facilitated early discussions between the Indian Army's Armoured Corps Directorate and private sector companies — including Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Defence, and L&T Defence — about participation in the FRCV development programme.
Active protection systems for tanks, which detect and neutralise incoming anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades, have been a significant technology showcase at BDTS, with Israeli systems like Trophy and Russian Arena providing benchmarks that Indian developers are working to match and exceed.
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