Russia has showcased its Shturm unmanned assault tank during the Tsentr-2026 military exercise, highlighting a combat technology that the Indian Army is also seeking to develop by converting its existing T-72 tanks into remotely operated platforms. While the Russian system has reportedly reached an initial level of operational readiness, India’s programme remains at the development and industry-partner stage under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) ADITI 4.0 initiative. The two efforts reflect a growing military interest in deploying uncrewed armoured vehicles for high-risk missions while keeping personnel away from direct exposure to enemy fire.
Named Shturm, meaning “assault”, the Russian heavy robotic system is based on the T-72 tank chassis, a platform also operated in large numbers by the Indian Army. Designed for breaching fortified positions and combat in urban areas, Shturm has been under development for years, with testing first reported in July 2025. Its appearance at Tsentr-2026 marked a further step in demonstrating the system’s potential battlefield role.
