WZT-3 ARVs for India

In April 1999, India ordered 44 Bumar WZT-3 armored recovery vehicles (ARV) , which was followed by another two orders in April 2002 (80 vehicles), and in July 2005 (228 vehicles) – for a total of 352 WZT-3 ARVs ordered. These vehicles are used to support the T-72 and T-90 MBT. Deliveries began in 2001, and India is planning to upgrade its AJEYA Mk1 tanks (local name for T-72M1) to AJEYA Mk2 standard, with some elements from PT-91, such as the SKO-1T DRAWA-T fire control system and the PZL-WOLA S-1000 engine. In October 2011, the Indian MoD announced that the state owned BEML will produce an additional 204 WZT-3 ARVs - taking the total to 556 vehicles. The MoD also clarified that no Global Tender was floated since it was a repeat order.

For more information about this technology, please see MILITARY TECHNOLOGY 3/2012 and the MILITARY TECHNOLOGY DEFEXPO SPECIAL ISSUE, available at the show.