Jabalpur/ Bhopal, August 27, 2026

Madhya Pradesh is set to play a larger role in strengthening India’s military preparedness with a new T-Series tank overhaul project in Jabalpur. The Rs 475-crore project will expand the country’s capacity to repair, modernise and return battle tanks to operational service.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav laid the foundation stone of the project at the Vehicle Factory of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited on Thursday. They also unveiled a plaque marking the formal launch of the facility.

The project comes a day before Raksha Bandhan. Referring to the timing, the Chief Minister said a new initiative to protect the country’s borders was beginning from Jabalpur on the eve of the festival associated with protection.

The facility will overhaul tanks of the T-Series, which form an important part of the Army’s armoured strength. Once the project becomes operational, India’s total tank overhaul capacity will rise to 230 tanks a year.

The expansion is expected to reduce repair time and improve the operational availability of tanks. It will also help modernise older platforms by integrating updated systems and technology.

Rajnath Singh said tanks continue to hold an important place in modern warfare despite the growing use of drones, missiles and cyber technology. “Tanks help soldiers move forward during ground operations. Their relevance has not ended, but their role is changing with advances in technology,” he added.

Singh said the project would also create employment for local youths and open opportunities for small industries. Jabalpur, with its existing defence establishments and skilled workforce, could emerge as a major defence manufacturing centre, he added.

Jabalpur already has a long association with India’s defence production network. The city houses the Vehicle Factory, Gun Carriage Factory, Ordnance Factory Khamaria and Grey Iron Foundry, besides several Army establishments.

The new project seeks to build on this industrial base. It could also generate demand for engineering components, maintenance services, electronics and other supplies from local enterprises.

Rajnath Singh said India must remain prepared for the changing nature of global conflicts. This requires the Armed Forces to continuously upgrade their weapons and platforms while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

He said India’s domestic defence production had increased from about Rs 46,000 crore in 2014 to Rs 1.80 lakh crore. Defence exports, which stood at nearly Rs 1,000 crore in 2014, have now reached Rs 39,000 crore, he said. The Centre has set a target of taking defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2030. Singh said India would manufacture and upgrade weapons for its soldiers and work towards becoming a global defence production hub.

He also pointed to the expanding defence investment landscape in Madhya Pradesh. Manufacturing projects involving investment of more than Rs 16,000 crore are taking shape in the Gwalior-Chambal region, he said.

These projects could help Madhya Pradesh develop a wider ecosystem for space, aerospace and defence manufacturing. Singh credited the state government’s industry-friendly policies and support for attracting investment.

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said Jabalpur had earned a distinct identity through the work of its defence factories. The city’s industrial strength would now contribute more directly to the modernisation of the Army, he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership has changed India’s approach towards defence production and self-reliance. Madhya Pradesh was producing equipment through different factories to strengthen the Armed Forces and prepare the country for future challenges.

Dr Yadav also linked the project with Jabalpur’s history of courage. He recalled the legacy of Rani Durgavati and freedom fighters Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah. He said history had shown how access to superior weapons and technology could influence the outcome of a battle. India must therefore remain ahead in defence technology while strengthening its domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The Chief Minister said the state was giving special attention to industrialisation, investment and job creation. Madhya Pradesh’s exports had crossed Rs 76,000 crore, reflecting the growing presence of the state in domestic and international markets.

With the T-Series tank overhaul facility, Jabalpur will now add another important chapter to its defence legacy. The project is expected to strengthen the Army’s armoured fleet while bringing new industrial and employment opportunities to Madhya Pradesh.