NEW DELHI, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Indian Defense Ministry has approved the procurement of as many as 1,000 engines for the army's ageing Soviet-era T-72 tanks, the government has said.

The purchases worth over 23 billion rupees were cleared by the country's Defense Acquisition Council, headed by Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, at a meeting in Indian capital Tuesday.

According to the Indian Defense Ministry, these engines will enhance mobility, agility and acceleration of T-72 tanks making them more versatile and effective in the battlefield.

Post-transfer of technology, most of these engines will be manufactured by state-owned Ordnance Factories Board, a statement by the Ministry said.

The T-72 and T-90 tanks are the mainstays of the Indian army. India introduced Russia-made T-72 tanks as the main interim battle tank in 1979. But most of these tanks are now ageing.