Army sets ball rolling for biggest-ever arms deal

The generals told a defence industry gathering that the mechanised forces would be boosted on three parallel tracks

Army chief General Bipin Rawat and a battery of senior generals on Wednesday explained the details of India's biggest-ever weapons acquisition — the ongoing procurement of futuristic tanks and infantry combat vehicles (ICVs), estimated to be worth Rs 80,000-1,00,000 crore each.

Pakistan already feels threatened by India's vast tank strength. This includes three strike corps, each with hundreds of tanks and ICVs. In addition, eight-to-ten tank-heavy "battle groups", drawn from defensive corps, are poised to scythe through Pakistan in a "Cold Start" offensive. While tanks, with their heavy armour protection and huge guns spearhead an advance into enemy territory, tracked ICVs