Defence News India: Indian Army Monday awarded a Rs 1,325 crore ($180 million) contract to domestic defence companies to develop and supply auxiliary power units (APUs) for its T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks under the Make-II category of defence procurement guidelines, which require the industry to bear the cost of development of prototype or sub-systems.
New Delhi based defence start OshoCorp Global is one of the companies selected by the Indian Army nearly after four years long selection process.
Commenting on the development, OshoCorp CEO Ashutosh Khate said T-72 and T-90 tanks are the mainstay of the Mechanised Forces.
The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) is an alternate source of power for the Fire Control System of the Tank and ancillaries, to cater for power requirements, while deployed in surveillance mode during a lull in battle, and during training, with a view to conserve the life of main engine of the tank.
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“Initially we were required to develop four APUs in number (two each for T-90 and T-72 Tanks) for trial and approval and subsequently produce 3,257 APUs,” Ashutosh Khate said.
He said the project will help the country towards self reliance in APU manufacturing technology for tanks and fulfill the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (a self-reliant India in defence sector).
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Col PK Juneja, head of special projects at OshoCorp, said the present project cost was more than Rs 1,325 crore (US$190 million) and it has huge potential to generate future domestic and export business.
“This potential business can be many times more than the current procurement of APUs as it is a continuous requirement keeping in mind the present inventory of T-72, T-90, Arjun Tank and BMPs held by our armed forces and expected new tank supplies in coming years,” Col PK Juneja added.
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In the export market, the countries using Russian T-72, T-90 Tanks can benefit by procuring India’s development of Auxiliary Power Unit for tanks, said the company.
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