T-72 Bridge Layered Tank

Bridge layer tank (BLT T-72) is used by armoured formation and engineering units for crossing natural /artificial obstacle in shortest possible time during the advance of tank columns. Bridging system consisting of lunching mechanism ,Bridge super structure ,hydraulics , auxiliary system and electronic control system. BLT T-72 carries a prefabricated steel bridge of 20m span which can be launched over an obstacle in shortest time and to facilitate crossing by all types of ‘A’ and ‘B’ vehicles.

Bridge Layer Tank (BLT) provides capabilities to negotiate natural and man-made anti-tank obstacles to an advancing tank column. It can lay its bridge instantly and recover the same from the far bank, after the entire tank column has crossed over. Capability exists to base it on any other tank of West or East European origin. The BLT can lay two types of bridge, i.e. a 20m scissors bridge with an MLC 60 load classification and a 22m scissors bridge, with an MLC 70 load classification.

Technical Specifications 

• Weight: 49 T
• Crew: 2
• Overall Length: 11.36m
• Overall Height: 3.8m
• Overall Width: 4.0m
• Max. Road Speed: 60KMPH
• Engine Power: 780HP
• Power to Weight Ratio: 16.12HP/T
• Bridge type : Scissors Launch
• Shallow Fording (Medium Fording with Snorkel): 1.8m
• Vertical Obstacle: 0.76m
• Trench Crossing: 2.4m
• Gradient: 25 degrees
• Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun: 12.7mm

Salient Features

DRDO's Bridge Layer Tank (BLT) provides capabilities to negotiate natural and man-made anti-tank obstacles to an advancing tank column. It can lay its bridge instantly and recover the same from the far bank, after the entire tank column has crossed over. The BLT can lay two types of bridge, i.e. a 20m scissors bridge with an MLC 60 load classification and a 22m scissors bridge, with an MLC 70 load classification. Its Armament is limited aboard the vehicle and thus the only armament on-board are the crew's personal weapons, a machine gun for air defence and a multi-barrel smoke discharger. The vehicle has the option of fitting a KMT-6 mine plough in the front.