In a significant stride towards bolstering the Indian Army’s armoured capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has officially cleared financial support for the indigenous development of a high-performance 1,350 horsepower (HP) engine for the T-90 ‘Bhishma’ Main Battle Tank (MBT).
Operating under the robust MAKE-I (Government Funded) procurement framework, the initiative aims to deliver a complete indigenous power pack, including the engine and essential automotive peripherals.
To mitigate development risks for domestic industry partners, the government will underwrite up to 70 per cent of the prototype development costs, with a funding ceiling of ₹250 crore per Development Agency.
Crucially, the project mandates a minimum of 50 per cent Indigenous Content (IC), strictly adhering to the nation’s Atmanirbhar Bharat goals for critical defence technologies.
This development serves as the execution phase for a strategic upgrade first approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in March 2025.
The Army has long sought to replace the T-90’s existing 1,000 HP V-92S2 engines, which, while reliable in the plains, face performance limitations in the rarefied air of high-altitude zones.
The transition to a massive 1,350 HP configuration is designed to offset the loss of combustion efficiency due to low oxygen levels in border sectors like eastern Ladakh and Sikkim.
The technical advantages of this upgrade are substantial. By drastically enhancing the tank’s power-to-weight ratio, the new power pack will grant the 46-tonne behemoths superior acceleration and climbing power.
This mechanical edge is vital for armoured columns that must navigate the treacherous gradients of the Himalayas or the shifting dunes of the Thar Desert, ensuring that India’s frontline armour can outmanoeuvre adversaries in diverse terrain.
Tactically, the enhanced agility provided by the 1,350 HP engine will allow commanders to execute faster repositioning and more aggressive manoeuvres during combat operations.
Sources familiar with the programme indicate that the upgraded engines will minimize the sluggishness often associated with heavy armour in oxygen-depleted environments, thereby maintaining high operational readiness and rapid reaction capabilities against hostile threats.
Beyond immediate battlefield needs, this project represents a long-term investment in India’s defence industrial base.
Historically, high-grade propulsion technology, specifically thermal management and compact transmission integration for heavy vehicles, has been a challenging domain for Indian developers.
By funding this programme through the MAKE-I route, the MoD aims to cultivate deep domestic expertise in these complex subsystems, ensuring that future armoured platforms can be powered by entirely home-grown solutions.
