The MTU engine that India wants is a 1,000HP engine. However, the German govt delayed the go ahead for the supply of the engine leading to a long delay. DRDO then opted for the Cummins 750HP engine. The engine is also made or assembled in India. The Germans did give the go ahead, once the Cummins engine was opted for, but it was too late by then. For the final production variant DRDO/L&T may still opt for the MTU engine if higher HP is required.
Engines of all type have been a problem for India since a long time. Only now DRDO/CVRDE are working on engines for armoured vehicles.
The following engines are available in India or are in the pipeline:
1). 720-780HP engine for T-72 tanks. Now completely manufactured in India.
2). 1,000 HP engine of the T-90S tanks. Now completely manufactured in India. Mostly some of the T-72 tanks will be upgraded with this engine.
3). 280-350HP engine of the BMP-2. Now completely manufactured in India
4). 600HP engine for FICV. Currently under development/testing.
5). 1,500 HP engine for Arjun MK1A/FMBT project. Reportedly this will be lighter than the existing 1,400 HP MTU-838 engine of the Arjun MK1 tanks. Though this would not be surprising, as the MTU-838 engine is obsolete and was superseded by the MTU-883 1,500-1,800 HP engine more than 20 years ago. The engine prototypes are ready and currently in internal testing. I guess once this engine is ready the production of the 118 units of Arjun MK1A will progress faster.
Apart from just the HP, the form factor, weight and suitability of mating with the required gearbox, all govern the choice of the engine. This might be the reason that the 1,000HP V92S engine of the T-90S tanks cannot be used for the light tank project.
The problem for India is that developing a new 1,000HP engine for only 350 tanks would not be economical. Companies like Cummins and MTU make a range of engines for many different applications and they can develop a whole range much more easily.
Engines of all type have been a problem for India since a long time. Only now DRDO/CVRDE are working on engines for armoured vehicles.
The following engines are available in India or are in the pipeline:
1). 720-780HP engine for T-72 tanks. Now completely manufactured in India.
2). 1,000 HP engine of the T-90S tanks. Now completely manufactured in India. Mostly some of the T-72 tanks will be upgraded with this engine.
3). 280-350HP engine of the BMP-2. Now completely manufactured in India
4). 600HP engine for FICV. Currently under development/testing.
5). 1,500 HP engine for Arjun MK1A/FMBT project. Reportedly this will be lighter than the existing 1,400 HP MTU-838 engine of the Arjun MK1 tanks. Though this would not be surprising, as the MTU-838 engine is obsolete and was superseded by the MTU-883 1,500-1,800 HP engine more than 20 years ago. The engine prototypes are ready and currently in internal testing. I guess once this engine is ready the production of the 118 units of Arjun MK1A will progress faster.
Apart from just the HP, the form factor, weight and suitability of mating with the required gearbox, all govern the choice of the engine. This might be the reason that the 1,000HP V92S engine of the T-90S tanks cannot be used for the light tank project.
The problem for India is that developing a new 1,000HP engine for only 350 tanks would not be economical. Companies like Cummins and MTU make a range of engines for many different applications and they can develop a whole range much more easily.
Statistics: Posted by mody — 19 Jan 2024 17:03