While much of the Indian Army’s tank modernization efforts are focused on its T-90s and the local development of new models, the T-72 remains the most numerous armored combat vehicle in the Asian country’s inventory. With this in mind, military and civilian authorities have formalized a new agreement with Russia for the purchase of 1,000 HP engines to upgrade these tanks.
Introduced in the 1970s, with the first armored units received in 1976 and subsequent licensed-built batches delivered in the 1980s, the T-72 “Ajeya” continues to be the most numerous main battle tank in service with the Indian Army. Various local reports indicate that the fleet has reached approximately 2,500 units, having seen action in the 1999 Kargil War and in counter-insurgency operations.
Against this backdrop, on March 7, India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed it had reached an agreement with the Russian state agency Rosoboronexport for the acquisition of new 1,000 HP engines. Through this deal, the aim is to replace the T-72’s current powerplants, which, by comparison, produce 780 HP.
Additionally, the agreement—valued at $248 million and framed within the government’s “Make in India” policy—includes technology transfer for licensed production of the engines at the facilities of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (Heavy Vehicle Factory), located in Avadi, Chennai.
At the end of 2023, the Indian Army issued a Request for Information (RFI) to national and international companies seeking proposals for the restoration and life extension of an unspecified number of T-72 tanks. At the time, the RFI noted the aim was to offset the effects of decades of service on the tanks, bringing them to a “near-new” condition, including “… disassembly of the tank, removal of assemblies, disassembly of repairable assemblies, inspection of repairable assembly components, and replacement of [non-repairable assemblies] with new ones.” Although not mentioned in the official March 7 statement, this new engine deal with Russia is likely aligned with the goals outlined in that 2023 RFI.
However, other reports from local sources indicate that the Indian Army and Ministry of Defence are also considering an upgrade program for the T-72s with the goal of potentially selling them to third countries, identifying potential clients in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. This comes as India moves forward with the modernization of its current and more advanced T-90S Bhishma tanks, while also accelerating development of its new Arjun Mark 1A and the recently unveiled Zorawar light tank.
Nonetheless, this potential sale was not mentioned in the official release, which only emphasized that the replacement of the T-72 engines “… will improve battlefield mobility and enhance the offensive capability of the Indian Army.”
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes only.
