The T-72 is the mainstay of the tank fleet of the Indian Army which is at present fitted with a 780 HP Engine.
In a major development, India has signed a $248 million deal with Russia for procurement of engines for the T-72 tanks used by the Indian Army.

The contract was signed by India’s Ministry of Defence and Rosoboronexport (RoE), Russian Federation worth $ 248 million for procurement of 1000 HP Engines for T-72 Tanks in fully formed, completely knocked down and semi knocked down conditions.

The deal also includes Transfer of Technology (ToT) from M/s RoE to M/s Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (Heavy Vehicle Factory), Avadi, Chennai, for integration and subsequent licensed production of engines under ToT to boost the "Make in India' initiative in Defence Sector, the Ministry of Defence said on Friday (March 7, 2025).

The T-72 is the mainstay of the tank fleet of the Indian Army and is currently fitted with a 780 HP Engine. Equipping the existing fleet of T-72 Tanks with 1000 HP Engine will enhance the battlefield mobility and offensive capability of the Indian Army, the Ministry pointed out.

The Indian Army has about 2,400 T-72s, a Soviet-designed main battle tank which is in the process of being upgraded with modern systems in addition to more powerful engines. India began buying these tanks from the Soviet Union from 1971 onwards. Production of the T-72 tanks in India began in the 1980s at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, near Chennai. 

The T-72 has undergone several upgrades in keeping with the needs of modern combat.