New Delhi: India’s fleet of Russian-origin T-72 tanks, which were first inducted in the 1980s, is undergoing an upgrade as far its engines are concerned. The current 780 HP engine is being replaced by 1000 HP ones.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) Friday signed a contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport, worth an estimated USD 248 million, for procurement of 1000 HP engines for T-72 tanks in fully formed, completely knocked down and semi knocked down conditions.
The deal also includes Transfer of Technology (ToT) from M/s RoE to M/s Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (Heavy Vehicle Factory), Avadi, Chennai, for integration and subsequent licensed production of engines to boost the “Make in India” initiative, the MoD said.
The ToT is for licenced production of engines that will come to India from Russia in the future in knocked down versions with some level of indigenisation, it is learnt. Sources explained that India’s fleet of nearly 2,400 T-72 tanks (including all variants) is the mainstay of the Indian Army’s operations, besides the more modern T-90.
Against the backdrop of the tense stand-off with China in eastern Ladakh since 2020, a large number of T-72 tanks were quickly inducted into the region marked by tough terrain, besides the ones already deployed there, sources added. During operational deployment, the troops felt the tank lagging in power and speed at some locations.
This is when the idea to add a more powerful engine came into the picture, it is learnt.
Sources also said the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) was roped in to boost the power of the existing engine in 2022. The CVRDE managed to increase the power output of the 780 HP engine being produced by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) under license from Russia, with changes to design and structure.
But more changes had to be made to the tank itself which increased its weight by another about 3 tonnes to around 44 tonnes. Then came another round of trials.
It was at this point that the Army highlighted certain issues and the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) was roped in. Russian engineers flew to India and offered to integrate a more powerful engine that they installed in the T-72 manufactured for them and others.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)