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Rosoboronexport, the Russian state agency for defence exports, has signed a US$248 million contract with New Delhi for engines for the Indian Army’s T-72 tanks. The deal includes technology transfer to support local production under New Delhi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, which aims to increase self-reliance on domestic defence manufacturing.
The agreement includes the procurement of 1,000 horsepower engines for T-72 tanks, the Indian Defence Ministry has stated. It noted that the deal includes transfer of technology from Rosoboronexport to India’s Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited in Avadi, Chennai, which aims to facilitate the integration and licensed production of the engines domestically, in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The T-72 has long been the mainstay of the Indian Army’s armored fleet, currently equipped with 780 HP engines. Upgrading the tanks with 1,000 HP engines is expected to enhance their battlefield mobility and offensive capabilities, providing a boost to the army’s operational effectiveness, the Indian Defence Ministry said.
The agreement highlights the longstanding defence partnership between India and Russia. From 2005 to 2025, Rosoboronexport has signed contracts with India worth US$50 billion, with total Russian military equipment supplies to the country reaching US$80 billion.
Aleksandr Mikheev, Rosoboronexport General Director said during India’s largest aerospace exhibition in February that “India is the most important strategic partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region and one of Rosoboronexport’s key partners in the world.” At that show, Russia presented over 500 defense products, including advanced aircraft, helicopters, engines, and air defence systems, with the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet drawing significant attention.
India continues to be one of the largest importers of weapons globally, with Russia serving as a long-term supplier and technological partner for some of the most advanced platforms, including the Su-30MKI fighter and BrahMos missile, co-developed by the two countries. Around 60% of the Indian military’s hardware is of Russian origin, and the two countries have expressed their willingness to further deepen ties.
On Friday, (March 7) Vikram Misri, India’s Foreign Secretary visited Moscow for high-level consultations. According to New Delhi, the two sides reviewed bilateral ties and also shared perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest. During the visit, Misri held talks with President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, the deputy head of the presidential administration, Maksim Oreshkin, and the deputy minister of industry and trade, Aleksey Gruzdev.
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