New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence is preparing a procurement order for 500 Invar anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) from the state-owned Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), with an estimated value between Rs 2,000 crore and Rs 3,000 crore, a senior government official confirmed.
This acquisition aims to enhance India’s armoured warfare capabilities by outfitting T-90 tanks with cutting-edge missile systems.
“Invar missiles are designed to be launched from tank platforms. The Defence Ministry is finalising an order for 500 missiles from BDL, with the total expenditure expected to be in the range of Rs 2,000 crore–3,000 crore,” the official told Moneycontrol.
Known for their precision strike capability, the Invar missiles are already deployed on India’s frontline T-90 main battle tanks. The procurement proposal is currently undergoing financial scrutiny to determine the exact cost, which will dictate the level of approval required.
“Orders of up to Rs 2,000 crore are cleared by the Defence Minister, while those closer to Rs 3,000 crore require the Finance Minister’s approval. If the deal value exceeds Rs 3,000 crore, it will need clearance from the Cabinet,” the official added.
Typically, procurement proposals of this scale are reviewed by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister, which approves purchases up to Rs 2,000 crore. Beyond this threshold, higher-level approvals are necessary according to established protocols.
Earlier this month, the DAC approved around Rs 40,000 crore under emergency powers for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the Indian armed forces.
This BDL missile procurement is part of a wider government initiative to boost self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Make in India program. Bharat Dynamics Ltd, a key player in missile production, has a pivotal role in supplying high-precision weaponry to the Indian Armed Forces.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen India’s operational readiness along its western and northern borders, where mechanised formations primarily depend on T-90 platforms.
“The emphasis on enhanced firepower underlines the strategic intent behind this order. BDL has already established a proven track record in delivering these systems,” the official said.
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The Defence Ministry plans to proceed with the procurement once the financial assessment is complete and the necessary approvals are obtained.
This planned procurement follows Operation Sindoor, a precise military campaign launched by the Indian armed forces in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, avoiding any direct confrontation with Pakistani military forces.
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Operation Sindoor showcased extensive use of indigenous high-tech systems including drone warfare, layered air defence, and electronic warfare, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in military technology. The move to purchase Invar anti-tank guided missiles from Bharat Dynamics Ltd aligns with this push towards enhanced operational preparedness amid heightened regional threats.
Bharat Dynamics is well positioned to benefit from India’s defence modernisation efforts. The company has a robust order book valued at Rs 3,110 crore, anticipates revenue growth of 28-30 percent in FY25, and has successfully indigenised critical components to overcome supply chain constraints. With a strong export potential and aggressive capacity expansion plans, BDL aims to double production within 3-5 years and triple it over the next decade.
