Mangaluru: Historic T-55 battle tank unveiled at Kadri War memorial on Kargil Vijay Diwas

Mangaluru: Historic T-55 battle tank unveiled at Kadri War memorial on Kargil Vijay Diwas

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jul 27, 2026: A historic T-55 battle tank of the Indian Army, which played a significant role in India’s victory during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, was unveiled at the Kadri War Memorial in Mangaluru on Sunday as part of the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations.

Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta inaugurated the decommissioned battle tank, describing it as a lasting symbol of the courage, sacrifice, and dedicated service of Indian Army personnel. He said the installation of the tank at the memorial was intended to honour the nation’s armed forces and inspire future generations. He also urged the public to visit the memorial and learn about the rich legacy of India’s military.

The programme featured an address by retired Army officer Brigadier I. N. Rai, who shared his experiences from the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and his frontline service during the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) operations in Sri Lanka. Former president of the Dakshina Kannada Ex-Servicemen’s Association Colonel N. Sharath Bhandary spoke on the significance of the Kargil War, while floral tributes were paid to soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation.

Among those present were Vice-President Colonel A. K. Jayachandran, Treasurer CPO Sudheer Pai, former MLC Capt. Ganesh Karnik, MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath, MLC Kishore Kumar Puttur, and President of the Dakshina Kannada District Ex-Servicemen’s Association and retired Indian Air Force officer Shrikanth Shetty Bala. Secretary Captain Deepak Adyanthaya delivered the vote of thanks, while PO Vikram Dutt compered the event.

The T-55 battle tank was inducted into the Indian Army in the mid-1960s and served as the backbone of the Armoured Corps for over four decades before being decommissioned in May 2011. It played a crucial role in India’s victories during the Battles of Garibpur, Nainakot, and Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

Weighing 36 tonnes, the T-55 is equipped with a 100 mm rifled gun, a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun. Powered by a V-55 V-12 water-cooled diesel engine producing 520–580 horsepower, the tank can reach a top speed of 50 kmph. It has an operational range of 510 km, extendable to 600 km with auxiliary fuel tanks, and is operated by a crew of four.