India to deploy more than 460 main battle tanks along border with Pakistan

India to deploy more than 460 main battle tanks along border with Pakistan

New Delhi (Web Desk): India is preparing to deploy more than 460 main battle tanks (MBTs) along its border with Pakistan, substantially increasing its already sizable tank force there, RT reported.

Senior defense officials confirmed to IHS Jane 360, the Indian army’s plans to deploy the newly ordered T-90MS MBTs along India's western and northern borders with Pakistan.

The MBTs have been specifically designed for export by Russia, at a cost of $2 billion, and will join the existing 900 or so T-90S Bhishma tanks currently deployed in the Indian states of Rajasthan and Punjab. The T-90 is the main battle tank of the Indian Army, replacing the older variants of T-72 and T-55 tanks in the force.

The deployment of Indian tanks would be key to the strategy as they are the key offensive assets to launch rapid attacks in Pakistani territory.

Earlier this month, India's newly appointed Army chief, General Bipin Rawat, admitted in an interview with India Today, that the “Cold Start doctrine exists for conventional military operations.”

“We will destroy India if it dares to impose war on us,” Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaj Asif said.