In a massive technological upgrade for India's armored
In a massive technological upgrade for India's armored warfare capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has sealed a major contract valued at ₹586 crore with Accurate Industrial Controls Pvt Ltd to equip frontline T-72 'Ajeya' and T-90 'Bhishma' main battle tanks with advanced, indigenously developed Auxiliary Power Units (APUs). Formalized in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on September 21, 2026, the deal directly addresses a critical operational requirement of the Indian Army's mechanized strike corps. By serving as an independent, secondary electrical power source, these compact APUs will continuously feed electricity to the tank’s digital fire control system, sophisticated gun stabilization networks, night-vision optics, and primary firing circuits, empowering combat crews to target and fire upon adversary formations even when the roaring main engine is completely turned off—sharply reducing both thermal signatures and acoustic detection on the battlefield.
Silent Hunter Mode: Slashing Thermal Signatures and Conserving Engine Life
The integration of indigenously manufactured APUs delivers a decisive tactical advantage during defensive ambushes and prolonged border vigils, commonly referred to as "silent watch" and "silent kill" capabilities. Previously, operating fire-control electronics and hydraulic weapon mounts necessitated keeping fuel-guzzling main engines running, which emitted unmistakable engine noise and massive infrared heat signatures detectable by enemy reconnaissance drones and anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) platforms. With auxiliary generators powering vital communications and weapons suites independently, combat formations drastically reduce fuel consumption, prevent excessive engine wear-and-tear, and preserve vital engine lifespan for high-speed cross-country maneuvers, advancing the strategic vision of defense self-reliance under the Developed India @2047 roadmap.
Overcoming High-Altitude Hurdles: Massive Engine Upgrades for T-72 and T-90 Armored Fleets
Alongside the APU procurement, the Indian Army is undertaking extensive propulsion modernization across its armored spearhead to tackle high-altitude combat challenges in Ladakh and Sikkim. The venerable Russian-origin T-72 'Ajeya', inducted starting in the 1970s as India’s first non-European armor deal and currently operating on 780-horsepower engines across three customized domestic variants, is being retrofitted with heavy-duty 1,000-horsepower powerpacks to amplify battlefield mobility and punch. Simultaneously, the advanced T-90 'Bhishma'—which encountered power-deficit constraints in thin-air mountain passes during the eastern Ladakh standoff with China—is moving forward with engine replacements from 1,000 horsepower to monstrous 1,350-horsepower units after securing Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) clearances, ensuring Indian armor retains commanding mobility and overwhelming firepower across high-altitude battle zones.
