The Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹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 main battle tanks. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on September 21, 2026, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The indigenous APUs are designed to provide an alternative source of electrical power for critical tank systems, including the fire control system, firing circuit, gun stabilisation system and other onboard equipment. This allows essential systems to receive power without relying entirely on the tank’s main engine while the vehicle is stationary.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the induction of these APUs is expected to strengthen the operational readiness, reliability and sustainability of the Indian Army’s mechanised formations. The T-72 and T-90 remain important components of the Army’s armoured fleet, making upgrades to their critical subsystems significant for maintaining operational capability.
The procurement is being undertaken under the Make-II category, which supports industry-led research and development of defence equipment. Under this framework, Indian industry develops defence technologies and systems, with successful solutions moving towards production and eventual induction into the armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence has described the contract as a step towards the indigenisation of critical subsystems used in armoured platforms. The project also highlights the increasing role of Indian private-sector companies in developing specialised defence technologies for the armed forces.
The APU capability can also help reduce the need to keep a tank’s main engine running solely to generate electrical power when the vehicle is stationary. This can contribute to lower fuel consumption and engine wear while supporting the operation of essential onboard systems.
The ₹586 crore contract forms part of the broader effort to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported components for critical military platforms. The Ministry has linked the procurement to the government’s Aatmanirbharta initiative and the wider Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
The deal therefore marks another step in the development and induction of domestically developed technologies for India’s existing armoured platforms, while strengthening the country’s indigenous defence industrial ecosystem.