New Delhi: In a major step towards upgrading its armour strike prowess in the desert region along the Pakistani border, the Indian Army will induct 464 Russian-origin upgraded T-90 Bhishma battle tanks at a cost of Rs 13,448 crore ($1.93 billion) in the year 2022-2025.

The T-90 tanks will be manufactured at Avadi Heavy Vehicle Factory (HVF) under the Ordnance Factory Board. The induction of the 464 T-90 tanks will be an addition to 1,654 tanks procured earlier from Russia. The HVF had in 2006-07 signed a contract to produce 1,000 T-90S tanks under licence from Russia by 2020. But they have been able to supply only 350-400 T-90S till date.

Apart from the 1,070 T-90 and 2,400 T-72 tanks procured from Russia, the Indian Army has 124 Arjun tanks in its 67 armoured regiments. The latest acquisition will strengthen the Indian army's firepower along the land border stretch with Pakistan.

In January, Army chief General Bipin Rawat had announced that the forces would carry out major reforms and organisational restructuring in the next few months and has decided to roll out an Integrated Battle Group (IBG) as part of overall plan to enhance combat capability of the force.

For the next one year, infantry modernisation and procurement of missiles, attack helicopters and other key platforms will remain priority areas for the Indian Army.