Techmash thinking of joint development of new tank shells with India - company head
MOSCOW. Aug 20 (Interfax) - The Techmash company, which is a part of the Rostec state corporation, is planning to hold talks with India on the joint development of a prospective 125 mm round with an armor-piercing sub-caliber round for T-72 and T-90 tanks at the Army 2018 forum, Techmash general director Vladimir Lepin said.
"We plan to discuss the organization of the joint development of an advanced 125 mm round for T-72 and T-90 tanks, which has improved technical characteristics compared to the Mango round," Techmash's press service quoted Lepin as saying.
In March 2014, Rosoboronexport signed a contract with the Indian Defense Ministry to organize licensed production of 125mm rounds with the Mango armor-piercing sub-caliber round for the D-81 battle tank cannon.
The supplied equipment was assembled and adjusted in 2017 and production was launched at the Indian Defense Ministry's artillery plants.
The organization of production also involved the training to produce Mango rounds in India, a comprehensive audit of the readiness and equipment of production, and staff attestation. The first batches of the rounds assembled in India underwent tests with a positive result. The Indian manufacturer is now testing and supplying to the army mango rounds under its own brand.