New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence on September 21 signed a ₹586-crore contract with Accurate Industrial Controls Private Limited for the procurement of indigenously developed Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for the Indian Army’s T-72 and T-90 tanks, marking a push to localise critical subsystems of its armoured fleet. The contract was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
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An APU provides an alternate source of electrical power for key tank systems, including the fire-control system, firing circuit, gun-stabilisation system and other ancillary equipment. According to the Defence Ministry, induction of the indigenous APUs will strengthen the operational readiness, reliability and sustainability of the Army’s mechanised formations.
The procurement is particularly significant because it has been undertaken under the Make-II category, which is designed to support industry-led research and development of defence systems. The mechanism allows Indian industry to develop indigenous solutions and subsequently transition successful technologies into production and military induction. The APU requirement for T-72 and T-90 tanks had earlier been identified as a Make-II project.
The contract therefore goes beyond a routine equipment purchase. It represents the conversion of an industry-developed subsystem into an operational Army requirement, demonstrating how Make-II can bridge the gap between indigenous R&D and large-scale defence procurement. Accurate Industrial Controls itself lists the T-72/T-90 APU among its defence solutions.
For India’s mechanised formations, the significance of the APU lies in providing an independent electrical-power source for critical onboard systems. This can reduce reliance on running the tank’s main engine solely to meet electrical requirements during periods such as surveillance, training or battlefield lulls, helping preserve engine life and improve platform sustainability. An earlier Army requirement document had identified these as key objectives for the indigenous T-72/T-90 APU programme.
The deal also highlights a broader shift in India’s armoured-platform modernisation strategy: alongside developing new combat platforms, the country is increasingly focusing on indigenising critical subsystems and components for equipment already in service. This approach can improve supply resilience and reduce dependence on imported components for legacy fleets.
The Defence Ministry described the procurement as a significant step towards the indigenisation of critical armoured-platform subsystems and said it demonstrates the effectiveness of industry-led R&D in translating indigenous innovation into production and induction. The contract is part of the wider push for Aatmanirbharta in defence and a more resilient domestic defence industrial base.
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