India Strikes Powerful T-72 Tank Deal with Russia

Defence Relations Between India and Russia: The T-72 main battle tank (MBT) in service with the Indian Army is about to receive a powerful upgrade. The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract for $248 million (approx. Rs 2,156 crore) with the Russian firm Rosoboronexport. The deal provides for the installation of 1000 horsepower (HP) engines into the T-72 tanks of the Indian Army. This will considerably improve both their speed and firepower. These tanks currently have engines rated at 780 HP.

Russia will also provide a technology transfer to India

The government Armoured Vehicles Corporation Limited (formerly Heavy Vehicles Factory) located at Avadi Chennai will receive this deal from Russia. This will enable the engine to be integrated and produced under license at Indian level thus bolstering the Make in India initiative.

T-72 tanks are expected to be the workhorses of the Indian Armoured fleet. They are being called the make or break machine because equipping them with new engines will add significant maneuvering and striking potential to the army. This deal comes at the time where the government has recently one time sanctioned modernization of T-72 and T-90 tanks.

Presently, India uses over 2,400 T-72 tanks and 1,200 T-90 tanks. As per estimates from the Ministry of Defense sources, after some modification, the government intends to sell T-72 tanks in some Asian and African countries.