Under Pilot Project, Indian Army’s Battle Tanks Overhauled At State-Run Facility In Jabalpur
Indian Army advances battlefield readiness as state-run Vehicle Factory Jabalpur successfully completes and rolls out overhauled T-72 battle tanks under a pilot sustainment project. Image courtesy: X.com/@AVANI_PR
India’s state-run tank manufacturer has rolled out the first two Soviet-era T-72 main battle tanks out of its facility in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh as part of the pilot project to overall these war machines.
The Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ), managed by the defence public sector unit Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), completed the overhaul of the two T-72 tanks.
How was the T-72 overhaul achieved by VFJ?
Indian Army’s Master General (Sustainment) Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla flagged off the newly overhauled tanks on Wednesday (January 27, 2026), according to Ministry of Defence officials.
“This was a very challenging task and by completing it on time, you have demonstrated your capability,” Lt Gen Aujla said on the occasion.
“In future also you will get a big task of overhauling tanks and I am sure that you will be able to complete it successfully,” he said.
Why did the Indian Army choose VFJ for T-72 overhaul?
The Indian Army selected VFJ, one of AVNL’s production units, to overhaul the T-72 tanks in an effort to expand the existing capacities at the Avadi-based Heavy Vehicles Factory in Tamil Nadu.
The aim was to meet the increased requirement of battle tank overhauling for the Indian Army, a MoD release said.
Under the capacity expansion plan, VFJ was approved to carry out the pilot project of T072 overhaul in 2025, it said.
Was VFJ capable enough to take up the task?
“VFJ has successfully completed the overhaul as per the technical specifications and quality standards set by the Indian Army, demonstrating its capability and readiness to meet the Army’s operational requirements,” the release said.
AVNL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Dwivedi congratulated VFJ on successfully completing the overhaul within the stipulated timeframe.
He expressed AVNL’s commitment to use the capacities at VFJ to continue to overhaul Indian Army’s battle tanks with full efficiency, the release said.
