SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s armoured forces, the Indian Army’s T-90MKIII main battle tanks are set to receive a major upgrade with the introduction of the DATRAN 1500 hp engine. This new engine will replace the existing Russian V-92S2 engine, which currently develops 1,000 hp and is coupled to a manual transmission with seven forward and one reverse gear. The upgrade aims to enhance the performance and operational capabilities of the T-90MKIII tanks.
The prototype of the DATRAN 1500 hp engine was successfully test-fired in 2023, marking a milestone in India’s Indigenous defence technology development. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has also shared the test bed for the new engine, indicating significant progress in the project. Although official confirmation is pending, the DATRAN 1500 hp engine will likely be used not only in the T-90MKIII but also in the Arjun Mk1A, replacing its current German-made MTU liquid-cooled turbocharged diesel engine of 1400 hp.
The Indian Army plans to upgrade approximately 975 T-90MKIII tanks with the new DATRAN 1500 hp engines. This move is part of a broader strategy to maintain engine commonality across various tank models, including the Arjun Mk1A, MkII, and the future DRDO Futuristic Main Battle Tank (FMBT). By standardizing the engine across these platforms, the Army aims to streamline maintenance, reduce logistical complexity, and enhance overall operational efficiency.
DATRAN 1500 hp as per idrw.org should be ready for mobility trials in the next 2 years equipped on older Arjun MBTs with production planned in the next 4 years.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.