Rosoboronexport Launches 125mm Mango APFSDS Rounds Production in India

Rostec’s subsidiary, Rosoboronexport, has initiated the production of 125mm 3VBM17 Mango armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS) rounds in India.

The Mango rounds, designed specifically to penetrate armored vehicles equipped with composite armor, are configured for use with the 125mm guns mounted on T-72 and T-90 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). These tanks are integral to the Indian Army's armored warfare capabilities.

Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec, emphasized the collaborative nature of the endeavor, highlighting Rostec's extensive experience in fostering industrial partnerships with partner countries. "Rostec's approach includes technology transfer and competency exchange, empowering importing nations to bolster their defense production capacities," Chemezov stated. "Our ongoing collaboration with India spans from licensed production of T-90 tanks to the localization of Mango APFSDS projectiles, with plans to commence powder manufacturing within India."

"On the premises of the Indian defence holding, ROSOBORONEXPORT has prepared key manufacturing facilities for production of Mango tank rounds. This enables the Indian side to start mastering the technology transferred to it and launch manufacturing," he said.

The 3BM42 APFSDS projectile, part of the Mango rounds, stands out for its capability to engage modern tanks equipped with composite armor.

India is one of the biggest operators of T-72 tanks outside of Russia with some 2400 tanks in the Indian Army's inventory. It also has some 100 T-90 tanks. These tanks have been regularly upgragraded over the years.