India signs Rs 586 crore deal to strengthen army tanks with indigenous power units
The Ministry of Defence has signed a Rs 586 crore contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited for the procurement of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for the Indian Army’s T-72 and T-90 tanks.
The contract was signed in New Delhi on Monday, September 21, 2026, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The procurement is aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities and sustainability of the Army’s mechanised formations.advertisement❮❯ Read Full StoryWHAT ARE AUXILIARY POWER UNITS?An Auxiliary Power Unit is an alternate source of electrical power for a tank. The system supplies power to several critical components, including the fire control system, firing circuit and gun stabilisation system.
The APUs can provide electrical power to these systems and other tank ancillaries, helping improve the reliability and operational readiness of armoured platforms.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the induction of indigenously developed APUs will strengthen the operational readiness, reliability and sustainability of the Indian Army’s mechanised formations.
The procurement covers APUs intended for the Army’s fleet of T-72 and T-90 tanks, which form a significant part of its armoured formations.FOCUS ON INDIGENOUS DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY
The ministry said the contract represents a step towards the indigenisation of critical sub-systems used in armoured platforms.
The procurement has been undertaken under the Make-II category, which supports industry-led research and development of defence equipment and systems. The ministry said the mechanism enables indigenous technologies developed by the domestic industry to move towards production and eventual induction into the armed forces.
The contract with Accurate Industrial Controls is therefore part of the government's broader effort to increase the participation of Indian companies in defence production and reduce dependence on imported components for critical military platforms.BOOST TO MECHANISED FORMATIONS
The ministry said the indigenously developed APUs are expected to contribute to the operational availability and reliability of the Army's tank fleet.
By providing an alternate source of electrical power, APUs can support the functioning of critical tank systems and reduce dependence on the tank's main engine for power generation in certain situations.
The ministry said the procurement would contribute to the sustainability of the Army's mechanised formations and strengthen the availability of its armoured platforms.ALIGNED WITH AATMANIRBHARTA IN DEFENCE
The Ministry of Defence said the contract is aligned with the government's broader Aatmanirbharta initiative in defence and its vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The ministry described the deal as a milestone in building a domestic defence industrial base that is self-reliant and capable of developing and producing critical military technologies.
The procurement also highlights the role of private-sector companies in India's defence ecosystem, particularly in research, development and production of specialised equipment for the armed forces.
The government has been increasing its focus on indigenous defence procurement and domestic manufacturing as part of efforts to build a resilient and globally competitive Indian defence industry.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 21, 2026 19:18 IST
