New Delhi: The Indian Army has installed Thermal Imaging Fire Control Systems (TIFCS) on 96 of its T-72 tanks. Those TIFCS have been indigenously developed and the systems have cleared firing validation trials before their induction. This comes as another boost to the prowess of the Indian defence sector.
A boost to Army’s T-72 tanks
In the armoured fleet of the Indian Army, the T-72 tanks are an important component. The latest upgrade will increase their operational effectiveness, especially during low-visibility and night conditions. The new system has thermal imaging and automatic target tracking for enhanced accuracy and capability during engagement.
The TIFCS increases the night vision of the T-72 by automatic integration of inputs from external sensors. Also, it does ballistic corrections and the fire control system gets refined target data. The integrated automatic target tracker ensures that it can continuously track moving targets, which enables engagement in dynamic combat situations.
An effort of ‘Make in India’
Alpha-Elsec Defence & Aerospace Systems Pvt Ltd have carried out the upgradation. It is a joint venture between Alpha Design based in Bengaluru and Israel’s Elbit Systems. In 2023, the Army signed a contract for the 96 TIFCS units. While the Israeli partner had supplied such systems earlier, it was in India that the current batch was manufactured with Elbit Systems providing technical support.
The Army conducted its firing validation trials during November–December 2025. Notably, Western Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar said on Thursday that the Indian Army is fully ready for any future challenge and will not get scared by Pakistan’s nuclear threats.
He spoke to the troops after an award ceremony held at Dhyan Singh Stadium in Mamoon Military Station. As per PTI, Lt Gen Katiyar talked about Operation Sindoor and said that Pakistan had asked for a ceasefire while at the same time they were giving nuclear threats.