The defence acquisitions council (DAC), chaired by defence minister of India Manohar Parrikar, approved the purchase 464 T-90MS tanks from Russia.

That was reported by timesofindia.indiatimes.com.

The Rs 13,448-crore (about US $ 2 billion) contract will include a Make-in-India element for integration at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi near Chennai.

The T-90MS is the latest version of the Russian T-90 main battle tank. It is also referred as Tagil. It is a modernized version and has a number of improvements and improved operational capabilities over its predecessor. The Tagil was first revealed in 2011.

The 10 new regiments of T-90MS tanks, equipped with thermal imaging night sights to allow the tank commander to hit at enemy locations even during night battles, will strengthen army’s fire power along the land border stretch with Pakistan-from Jammu in north till the western flank in Gujarat.

The T-90 has emerged as the main battle tank of the Indian Army and is replacing the older variants of T-72 and T-55 tanks in the force.

India has about 850 T-90 tanks currently and plans to induct 1,657 by the year 2020.