IOC flags off first xtreme weather grade diesel consignment for Army’s Eastern Command
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC) has flagged off the maiden rake of its Xtreme Weather Grade high-speed diesel for the Indian Army’s Eastern Command, expanding supplies of the specialised fuel beyond the northern frontier, the company said on Saturday.
Xtreme Weather Grade (XWG) high-speed diesel, launched in July 2026 by the Chief of Army Staff, has been developed to meet the Army’s requirements in extreme cold and high-altitude conditions.
The fuel is designed to offer enhanced low-temperature performance and reliable operation of military vehicles and equipment in challenging terrain.
Fuel performance at low temperatures is critical for military operations in high-altitude regions, where conventional diesel can face problems related to cold-weather operability. Specialised grades such as XWG diesel are designed to address these requirements and improve the reliability of vehicles and equipment deployed in extreme climatic conditions.
The rake was flagged off from IOC’s Panipat Marketing Complex by Lt Gen Mukesh Chadha, Director General Supplies & Transport and Senior Colonel Commandant at IHQ of the Ministry of Defence (Army), the company said in a statement. The move makes IOC the first public sector oil company to position XWG diesel in the eastern region, enabling a dedicated supply chain for the Army’s requirements in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
With the latest dispatch, IOC’s XWG diesel supply footprint now covers both the northern and eastern frontiers. “XWG is a potential game changer for operational preparedness and readiness in high-altitude and extreme-weather areas,” said Lt Gen Mukesh Chadha.
He highlighted that for the first time, this specialised fuel is being extended beyond Ladakh to support operations in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
He emphasised the need for a predictable, scalable and responsive supply chain, with the right fuel at the right place and time. He also acknowledged IOC’s partnership in transforming XWG Diesel from an operational requirement into an operational reality in the Eastern side.
K John Prasad, Country Head (Institutional Business), IOC, said, “The Indian Army operates in some of the most demanding terrains and climatic conditions, where dependable fuel performance is critical to operational mobility. Extending XWG HSD supplies to the Eastern Command strengthens our ability to support the Army across another strategically important geography”.
“In line with its core corporate value of Nation-First, IOC remains committed to developing indigenous, fit-for-purpose energy solutions for our Armed Forces and contributing to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
The development builds on IOC’s earlier efforts to develop specialised fuels for the armed forces, including Winter Grade Diesel in 2019, and All Weather Grade HSD and Low Sulphur Low Aromatic Superior Kerosene Oil in 2022.
IOC said the latest dispatch further strengthens its long-standing partnership with the Army by combining indigenous product development with its nationwide fuel distribution network to support military operations in remote and strategically important locations.
