Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Aug 5: A historic T-55 war tank that took part in the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars has arrived in Mangaluru.

The tank was transported from the Kirkee depot in Pune on a special trailer truck and reached the city on Monday night. It was brought by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC), which will also be responsible for its maintenance.

The T-55 tank is being installed in the city as a special attraction to honour the bravery of soldiers and to inspire youth to join the armed forces.

Across the country, decommissioned tanks and military equipment that have served in wars are displayed as 'war trophies'. Following this tradition, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta had submitted a request to the union ministry of defence to sanction a tank for Mangaluru, which was approved.

The tank has already arrived and is temporarily placed near Circuit House. Capt Chowta informed that a proper platform will soon be constructed near the Kadri War Memorial, where the tank will be permanently displayed.

Though no longer in operational use, the T-55 tank, weighing approximately 40 tonnes, was officially sanctioned free of cost to the Mangaluru City Corporation by the ministry of defence three months ago. The tank began its journey from Pune last Friday and reached Mangaluru after three days of travel.