NEW DELHI: On Friday, India finalized a contract worth $248 million with Russia’s state-owned Rosoboronexport (RoE) for the acquisition of 1,000 HP (horsepower) engines for its fleet of T-72 Tanks in “fully assembled, completely disassembled, and semi-disassembled” conditions.
According to a defense ministry official, “The agreement also entails the transfer of technology (ToT) from RoE to Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (or the Heavy Vehicles Factory) located in Avadi, Chennai, facilitating integration and subsequent licensed production of these engines to support the `Make in India’ initiative.”
The T-72 tanks, originally from Russia, constitute the backbone of the Army’s tank fleet, which currently utilizes a 780 HP engine. Upgrading this fleet with 1,000 HP engines will enhance both the battlefield mobility and offensive capabilities of the Army,” the official added.
In addition to the T-72 fleet of 2,400 tanks, the Army has inducted 1,300 T-90S `Bhishma’ tanks, out of the total of 1,657 being manufactured under a license agreement from Russia by the Heavy Vehicles Factory. The Army is also in the process of inducting 118 indigenous Arjun Mark-1A tanks, which feature 14 significant and 57 minor upgrades aimed at improving firepower, mobility, endurance, and protection. These tanks were ordered for Rs 7,523 crore in September 2021, and will supplement the initial 124 Arjun tanks that were introduced over a decade ago.
Furthermore, the Army will induct 354 indigenous light tanks designed for high-altitude combat under Project Zorawar, with an investment of approximately Rs 17,500 crore. The necessity for such tanks, each weighing under 25 tonnes and characterized by a high power-to-weight ratio along with advanced firepower and protection, has been underscored by the ongoing nearly four-year military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
