Powerplant Progress

Atul Chandra

The Indian Army’s armoured fleet currently comprises of three major Russian platforms in the T-90, T-72 and BMP-II which are powered by the V92S2, V46-6 and UTD-20 engines respectively. The ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict has resulted in a severe spares shortage for these platforms and their engines, which has accelerated efforts to increase indigenisation levels on these platforms and their engines.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on the other hand is currently involved in the design and development of several new engines including two strategic engines—Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) of 25 kilonewton thrust for powering jet trainers, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), twin engine small fighter aircraft or regional jets and Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) of 1200 kilonewton thrust for powering light and medium weight helicopters (3.5 to 6.5 tonnes in single/twin engine configuration).

New Engine Development

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) lab, Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) is playing a key role in new engine development for heavy armoured vehicles along with homegrown firms like Ashok Leyland.

In March this year, the ministry of defence (MoD) announced the first engine run of India’s first indigenously-made 1500 horsepower engine for Main Battle Tanks at BEML Limited’s Engine division in their Mysuru complex. The 1500 horsepower 12V, 25,000 cubic capacity diesel engine offers a high power-to-weight ratio, operability in extreme conditions including high altitudes, sub-zero temperatures and desert environments.

Phase II of the project which is now underway will see BEML producing engines for various trials at CVRDE and their integration into actual vehicles for user testing. The effort to develop an indigenous 1500 horsepower engine started in August 2020 and is slated for completion in August 2025.

CVRDE is also designing a new ab-initio 600 horsepower engine for use on future Indian armoured vehicles for which Indian firm, Ashok Leyland, was identified as the development cum production partner. Testing of this new engine commenced in December 2021.

BEML, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) have also partnered together to develop advanced fuelling and cont