![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="682px" width="1024px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="352px" width="848px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
The Indian Ministry of Defence has awarded Rosoboronexport a $248-million contract to deliver modern engines for the army’s T-72 Ural main battle tanks.
Under the terms, the Russian state-owned arms developer will provide 1,000 horsepower engines to New Delhi’s Soviet-era vehicles.
The military currently operates about 2,500 tanks that are fitted with its legacy 780 horsepower engines since the fleet’s production in the 1970s.
Part of the agreement is the transfer of technology from Rosoboronexport to India’s state-run Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd. for licensed manufacturing of the new equipment, according to Reuters.
This announcement followed the Indian government’s decision in 2023 to locally produce 500 new combat systems to replace its aging T-72 platforms.
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="1000px" width="1778px" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
Image: cell105/flickr/CC BY 2.0
The T-72 Ural Platform
The T-72 measures 10 meters (33 feet) long and weighs up to 44.5 tonnes (98,106 pounds).
It is armed with a 125-millimeter smoothbore cannon as well as 7.62 or 12.7-millimeter machine guns and is protected with steel and composite armor enhanced for kinetic energy penetrators.
The vehicle features a hydraulic-assisted 7-forward transmission and has a fuel capacity of 1,200 liters (317 gallons).
The T-72 has a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles) and a speed of up to 60 kilometers (37 miles) per hour.