India's MoD Inks $248 Million Deal with Russia’s RoE for T-72 Tank Engines Procurement.
Defence
On 7 March 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI), signed a contract worth USD 248 million with Moscow (Russia)-based Rosoboronexport (RoE) for the procurement of 1000 Horsepower (HP) engines for T-72 tanks. These engines will be supplied in fully formed, completely knocked down, and semi-knocked down conditions.
- The agreement includes the Transfer of Technology (ToT) from RoE to Avadi (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)-based Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (Heavy Vehicle Factory) for integration and licensed manufacturing of engines.
- This initiative aligns with the ‘Make in India’ mission in the defence sector.
Main Point :- (i) The T-72 tank, first introduced in India in the 1970s, remains a crucial part of the Indian Army’s (IA) armored fleet, with approximately 2,500 tanks in active service. These tanks are currently powered by a 780 HP engine.
(ii) Equipping the existing T-72 fleet with 1000 HP engines will enhance the Indian Army’s battlefield mobility and offensive capabilities.
(iii) Apart from its 2,400 T-72 tanks, the Indian Army has inducted 1,300 T-90S 'Bhishma' tanks out of the 1,657 being manufactured under license from Russia by the Heavy Vehicles Factory.
About Indian Army (IA)
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS): General Upendra Dwivedi
Headquarters : New Delhi
____________________________
