The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday (January 21) finalised an agreement with the Heavy Vehicles Factory, a division of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), for the procurement of 47 T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLTs) for the Indian Army, officials confirmed.
The contract, valued at Rs 1,560.52 crore, was signed by senior representatives of the MoD and HVF/AVNL in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. AVNL is a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Defence.
The indigenously developed T-72 BLT is designed to deploy bridges during both offensive and defensive military operations. Weighing approximately 49 tonnes and accommodating a crew of three, this equipment plays a vital role in bridging operations for tanks and armoured Army vehicles, significantly enhancing battlefield mobility and offensive capabilities.
According to a report by PIB, this deal, classified under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured) category, will provide a substantial boost to the Make-in-India initiative in defence. “This project will also play a pivotal role in bolstering the overall economy and generating employment opportunities across the country,” the statement added.
About T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLTs)
The T-72 Bridge Layer Tank (BLT) is a marvel of battlefield engineering, designed to keep advancing armoured columns unstoppable, even in the face of natural or man-made obstacles. It is a heavily armoured giant, seamlessly unfolding a 20-metre prefabricated steel bridge over a river or trench, allowing tanks and armoured vehicles to surge ahead without delay. That’s the T-72 BLT in action—a lifeline for offensive operations.
Built for speed and efficiency, this indigenously developed beast is equipped with a scissors-style bridge that can span gaps of up to 22 metres, depending on the variant, and handle load classifications of MLC 60 or MLC 70. It isn’t just about laying bridges, though; the T-72 BLT excels at recovering them too, ensuring the entire column can cross and keep moving forward, no matter the terrain.
Weighing 49 tonnes, as heavy as a young blue whale, and powered by a robust 780HP engine, the T-72 BLT won’t just overcome obstacles, but power through them. With a top speed of 60 km/h, it’s surprisingly agile for its size, manoeuvring across gradients, trenches, and vertical barriers with ease. The hydraulic systems, advanced electronic controls, and powerful launch mechanism make its operation seamless, while its modest armament—a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun—ensures basic self-defence.
Whether it’s a shallow ford or a deep trench, the T-72 BLT ensures that no obstacle becomes a showstopper for armoured formations. In the theatre of war, where speed and mobility are everything, this engineering masterpiece proves that even the most formidable barriers can be conquered.
Usage of Bridge Laying Tanks
Bridge-laying tanks are the unsung heroes of the battlefield, transforming impossible terrains into pathways of progress. While MBTs and other armoured vehicles take the PR slice of the pie, BLTs make it easier and faster for the troops to reach the zone of interest. Picture this: a massive armoured vehicle rolls up to a deep trench or a fast-flowing river that would halt any advancing army. Within minutes, it deploys a sturdy bridge, allowing not just men but tanks and armoured vehicles to cross seamlessly. The battle continues, uninterrupted.
These engineering marvels save time as well as lives. In high-stakes operations, every second counts, and the ability to create a crossing point in the blink of an eye can make the difference between victory and retreat. Whether it’s a natural barrier like a stream or a man-made anti-tank ditch, bridge-laying tanks ensure that nothing stands in the way of progress.
Equipped with advanced hydraulics, electronic controls, and a scissors-style bridge that spans up to 22 metres, these vehicles are built for speed and efficiency. Once the mission is complete, the bridge can be quickly retrieved, ready for the next obstacle.
In essence, bridge-laying tanks turn the chaos of the battlefield into an organised advance, proving that in a war, ingenuity and adaptability are as critical as firepower. They are the silent enablers of mobility, ensuring that the mission always moves forward.
