In a massive boost to India's domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL)—a state-owned enterprise formed after the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board in 2021—has successfully achieved complete indigenisation of engines for the military's most vital combat vehicles.
The public sector firm has fully localised the production of the V-92S2 engine for the T-90S Bhishma, the V-46-6 for the T-72 Ajeya, and the UTD-20 for the BMP-2 Sarath infantry combat vehicle.
This breakthrough permanently ends the Indian Armed Forces' historical reliance on Russian suppliers for the production, spare parts, and long-term maintenance of these critical combat powerplants.
The Indian Army operates over 2,400 BMP-2 Sarath vehicles, which act as the primary troop carriers for its mechanised infantry units.
By completely localising the six-cylinder UTD-20 diesel engine that powers this massive fleet, AVNL guarantees a steady stream of components and repair services without the risk of foreign bottlenecks.
In a parallel success, the complex V-46-6 engine driving the veteran T-72 Ajeya tanks has also been brought under 100% domestic production.
With more than 2,000 T-72s currently in service, self-sufficiency in engine manufacturing is essential to sustain, upgrade, and prolong the combat life of these older yet highly active machines.
Perhaps the most critical strategic win is the successful domestic production of the V-92S2 engine, the powerhouse behind the T-90S Bhishma main battle tanks.
As the primary strike weapon of the Indian Army's armoured regiments, with over 1,300 units deployed, securing an independent supply chain for the T-90’s engine is a matter of national security.
Controlling the entire manufacturing and support cycle locally ensures that India’s frontline forces remain fully operational, effectively shielding them from external supply chain shocks during prolonged conflicts or geopolitical tensions.
Thanks to this comprehensive localisation effort, AVNL is now fully equipped to conduct all Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations entirely within the country.
This spans everything from fabricating basic spare parts to executing complete engine rebuilds and comprehensive life-extension programmes.
For decades, the Indian military faced logistical hurdles, sudden cost increases, and delays due to its reliance on Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) from the former Soviet Union and Russia.
By bringing this entire ecosystem home, AVNL perfectly aligns with the government's broader push for self-reliance in defence, decisively mitigating the risks associated with global supply chain disruptions.
Replicating and producing heavy-duty military diesel engines requires immense technical expertise.
AVNL had to master advanced metallurgy, complex thermal management, and precision engineering to ensure these engines can perform reliably across India's harsh and varied landscapes, from the freezing altitudes of the northern borders to the scorching heat of the western deserts.
Beyond the obvious military advantages, this milestone promises significant economic rewards.
It curtails massive foreign exchange expenditures, bolsters local industrial supply chains, and positions India as a highly competitive global hub capable of offering specialised maintenance and overhaul services to dozens of other nations that currently operate Russian-origin armoured vehicles.
