Indian tank maker eyes global markets, seeks partners

TDT | Agencies

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Armoured Vehicles Nigam (AVANI), India’s premier manufacturer of armoured platforms, is embarking on a strategy to expand its presence globally, actively seeking international channel partners to boost exports.

The state-owned company is currently scouting for partners across Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. These partnerships will focus on marketing and exporting a range of platforms, including the indigenously built Arjun Main Battle Tank and the Russian-origin T-90 tank, as well as armoured personnel carriers like the BMP2. The move aligns with the Indian government’s policy shift towards prioritizing defense exports for growth.

Besides complete platforms, AVANI produces a wide array of spares for various armoured equipment. Crucially, the company is positioned to offer maintenance and support to nations that operate Russian-origin equipment. Its product portfolio also extends to naval guns and advanced Kavach protection systems for warships.

AVANI is one of seven entities carved out of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), all of which are now aggressively pursuing foreign markets. This focused effort has dramatically increased India’s defence exports. Combined exports for these new entities have surged from a mere Rs 81 crore in 2019- 20 to a provisional figure exceeding Rs 3,545 crore in the 2024-25 financial year, driven largely by rising international demand for ammunition and explosives. Munitions India Limited is currently the leader in this export drive, having contributed nearly Rs 3,000 crore to the total in the last fiscal year.