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General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff, launched indigenously developed Xtreme Weather Grade (XWG) Diesel in New Delhi on 31 July 2026, jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
XWG Diesel functions at temperatures as low as minus 42°C, addressing conventional diesel's tendency to thicken and clog fuel filters in extreme cold, and can be used in existing Army vehicles without modification.
It complies with BS-VI standards and IS 1460:2025 specifications; BPCL has established a supply chain from its Bina Refinery to strategic storage at Bathinda.
The fuel is designed to improve mobility, safety, and operational availability for combat and logistics vehicles in high-altitude and severe winter deployments.
Conventional diesel thickens (gels) at very low temperatures, clogging fuel filters and impeding vehicle operation in high-altitude, cold regions. XWG Diesel is reformulated specifically to remain usable at extreme sub-zero temperatures.
Simple Analogy: Like using a special low-freeze windshield fluid in winter instead of regular water — the fuel is reformulated so it doesn't turn to sludge in the cold.
Vehicular fuel/engine emission standard XWG Diesel complies with
Indian Standard specification for diesel fuel that XWG Diesel meets
Defence GK > Military Logistics & Indigenisation
GS Paper III > Defence Manufacturing