India has bought 250 Polish SKO-1T Drawa-T thermal image fire control systems for use in T-72 tanks. Deliveries will start in the Fall and be completed by the end of 2004. India will not receive the technology or be allowed to build the systems under license. This is part of Project Rhino, an Indian Army effort to upgrade as many as 1,000 T-72s and keep them in service through 2020. The upgrade includes replacing or upgrading the fire controls, engines, night vision systems, 125mm cannon ammunition, radios, NBC protection systems. A new
land-navigation system and explosive reactive armor will be added.Stephen V Cole