FRCV: Right tank for the drone age?
Experts say land warfare remains a real possibility, given India's neighbourhood
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 "Bhaswar Kumar")
 "A T-72 tank of the Indian Army during a joint amphibious warfare exercise on Madhavpur beach, Gujarat, in February 2009 (Photo: Reuters)")
A T-72 tank of the Indian Army during a joint amphibious warfare exercise on Madhavpur beach, Gujarat, in February 2009 (Photo: Reuters)
Should India be investing in a new main battle tank (MBT) in an age when drones — small enough to fit in a backpack yet powerful enough to destroy armoured vehicles — pose a growing threat? The answer, experts say, is yes, though with qualifications. Rumours of the tank’s demise are exaggerated, said Lt Gen Dushyant Singh (retired), director-general of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Yet, he added, the once-dominant machine must now adapt to remain effective amid the third revolution in military affairs: driven by rapid advances in space-based surveillance, cyber, artificial intelligence, and autonomous technologies. The Indian
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Bhaswar Kumar
Bhaswar Kumar has over seven years of experience in journalism. He has written on India Inc, corporate governance, government policy, and economic data. Currently, he covers defence, security and geopolitics, focusing on defence procurement policies, defence and aerospace majors, and developments in India’s neighbourhood.
 "Bhaswar Kumar")
First Published: Nov 07 2025 | 2:06 PM IST
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