India inks Rs 2,157 crore contract with Russia for procurement of T-72 tanks

New Delhi: India on Friday signed a contract over Rs 2,100 crore with Russia for the supply of 1000 Horsepower engines for T-72 tanks to improve the performance of the ageing weapons that are being used by Indian Army for decades.

The Defence Ministry inked the Rs 2,157 crore contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport 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 from Rosoboronexport to Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (formerly known as Heavy Vehicle Factory), Avadi, for integration and subsequent licensed production of the engines to boost the "Make in India' initiative in defence sector, the ministry said in a statement.

T-72, the mainstay of the tank fleet of the Indian Army, is at present fitted with a 780 HP engine. Equipping the existing fleet of T-72 tanks with 1000 HP Engine will enhance the battlefield mobility and offensive capability of the Indian Army.

The deal materialises within three months of the defence ministry approving the overhauling of the T-72 and T-90 tanks in December. The T-72s are the older ones that have been manufactured at the Avadi factory since the 1980s.

India currently operates over 2,400 T-72 and 1,200 T-90 tanks besides a small number of indigenous Arjun main battle tanks.

Defence Ministry sources said the government planned to export the T-72 tanks to the markets in Asia and Africa, but would overhaul them before going for the export.