Archive · 2 Aug 2026
Indian Army Introduces XWG Diesel for Sub‑Zero Tank Operations
The Indian Army has made a special kind of diesel that stays liquid even when it gets very cold, like -42 degrees Celsius.
This new fuel was made with help from local oil companies and follows strict safety rules.
It can be used right away on the army’s tanks and other vehicles without changing anything in the engines.
The fuel will help soldiers keep moving in the cold places near the borders, such as the Line of Actual Control and Line of Control.
The army’s chief said the fuel is a "game‑changing indigenous innovation" that will make winter work easier and keep the tanks ready for missions.
XWG diesel has a pour point of -42°C, preventing gelling in extreme cold.
Developed with domestic oil marketers, it meets BS‑VI and IS 1460:2025 standards.
It can be used immediately on existing tanks (T‑90, T‑72, BMP‑2K, K‑9 Vajra) without engine changes.
The rollout supports operations along the LAC and LoC at high‑altitude bases like Nyoma and Daulat Beg Oldie.
General Dhiraj Seth called the fuel a "game‑changing indigenous innovation" that will reduce winter maintenance.
- Who
- Indian Army and domestic oil marketing companies
- What
- XWG diesel fuel for extreme cold operations
- When
- Developed in less than a year and rolled out now
- Where
- High‑altitude battlefields along the Line of Actual Control and Line of Control, including Nyoma and Daulat Beg Oldie
- Why
- To keep tanks operational at -42°C and reduce winter maintenance
- Fuel type
- XWG diesel
- Pour point
- -42°C
- Flash point
- ≈50°C
- Standards
- BS‑VI, IS 1460:2025
- Vehicles supported
- T‑90, T‑72, BMP‑2K, K‑9 Vajra
- Deployment areas
- LAC, LoC, Nyoma, Daulat Beg Oldie