Weighing 49 tons, this tank is designed to accommodate a crew of three. The BLT T-72 bridge system comprises a launching mechanism, a hydraulic system, a supporting system, an electronic control system, and the bridge structure.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday signed a contract with Heavy Vehicles Factory, a unit of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, for the procurement of 47 Tank-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT) for the Indian Army at a total cost of Rs 1,560.52 crore. The contract was inked by the senior officials of MoD and HVF/AVNL in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on January 21, 2025, reads the Ministry of Defence (MoD) press release.
The BLT is a critical equipment that is employed to launch bridges during offensive/defensive operations by Mechanised Forces. It provides essential bridging capability to the Tank and Armoured Vehicle fleet, thereby enhancing battlefield mobility and strengthening offensive operations. This initiative, classified as Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured), aligns with the Make-in-India programme in the defence sector. Additionally, the project is poised to significantly contribute to the nation’s economy while creating numerous employment opportunities.
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“The present case being a Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) will give impetus to the Make-in-India initiative in defence.” the ministry added.
Weighing 49 tons, this tank is designed to accommodate a crew of three. The BLT T-72 bridge system comprises a launching mechanism, a hydraulic system, a supporting system, an electronic control system, and the bridge structure. The BLT, constructed on the T-72M1 tank chassis, is equipped with a powerful 780-horsepower engine. It can reach a top speed of 60 km/h on roads and easily traverse slopes with inclinations of up to 25 degrees.
According to the official website of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), the BLT can lay two types of bridge, i.e. a 20m scissors bridge with an MLC 60 load classification and a 22m scissors bridge, with an MLC 70 load classification.
