The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has finalised a $248m agreement with Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport (RoE) for the acquisition of T-72 tank 1000 HP engines.
The agreement involves integration and subsequent licensed manufacturing of the engines via a Transfer of Technology (ToT) from Rosoboronexport to state-run Armoured Vehicles Nigam heavy vehicle factory based in Avadi, Chennai, India.
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This ToT is a strategic move to bolster the “Make in India” initiative within the defence sector.
Currently, the Indian Army’s main battle tank, the T-72, operates with a 780 HP engine.
Upgrading to the 1000 HP engines is expected to improve the tank’s battlefield mobility and offensive capabilities.
The T-72 is a combat vehicle equipped with precision targeting and sighting systems, automatic loading gear, and is designed for high accuracy in challenging environments.
The tank’s design includes a hull, turret, weapons and fire control system, power unit, transmission, track-and-suspension system, electrical equipment, communication facilities, and special equipment.
It is armed with a 125mm D-81 smoothbore gun, a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun, and a 12.7mm air defence machine gun.
The contract follows closely after the Indian Army’s contract with Larsen & Toubro for K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery platforms in December 2024.
India has maintained its position as the globe’s second-highest procurer of military equipment, driven by security concerns linked to neighbouring China and Pakistan, as per new data on international arms transfers published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Nevertheless, there was a 9.3% reduction in its defence imports during the period from 2020 to 2024 compared to 2015–2019.
Russian-sourced defence equipment constituted 36% of India’s total arms imports, marking a notable decline from the 55% recorded in the 2015–2019 period and an even more substantial drop from the 72% seen between 2010 and 2014.
In a separate development, the Indian MoD said that the 12th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR-XII is scheduled to take place in Kyrgyzstan from 10 to 23 March 2025.
