India delays production of Arjun tanks as Germany fails to supply engines

India is postponing the delivery of Arjun Mk1A main battle tanks to its army because of the German company MTU, which has overdue the production of engines.

Here's What We Know

The Indian Ministry of Defence began purchasing indigenously produced Arjun Mk1A tanks in 2020. And in 2021, it was planned to purchase 118 units of equipment for more than $900 million.

However, the arms programme was hampered by a shortage of engines supplied by the German manufacturer. It is noted that Germany will need at least four years to start fulfilling the contract.

The German company may lose the buyer altogether, as India's plans for MTU engines were only a temporary option. The next version of the Arjun was supposed to use its own engines, the Datran 1500.

Flashback

MTU Friedrichshafen is a manufacturer of commercial internal combustion engines. The company is also a major manufacturer of tank engines in Europe. For example, their engines are used in Leopard 2, PzH 2000, Boxer and others.

Source: Janes