fbpx
Wikipedia

Arjun (tank)

October 14, 2023

The Arjun (pronounced [ɐɽˈdʑʊn]) is a third generation main battle tank developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), for the Indian Army.[11][12] The tank is named after Arjuna, the archer prince who is the main protagonist of the Indian epic poem Mahabharata. Design work began in 1986 and was finished in 1996. The Arjun main battle tank entered service with the Indian Army in 2004.[13] The 43rd Armoured Regiment, formed in 2009, was the first regiment to receive the Arjun.[13][14]

Arjun
New Arjun MK1A variant during field trials.
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originIndia
Production history
Designer
Designed1983–1996
ManufacturerArmoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (at Heavy Vehicles Factory)
Produced2004–present
No. built141 (as of 2021)[N 1]
VariantsSee Variants
Specifications
MassMk.1: 58.5 tonnes (57.6 long tons; 64.5 short tons)
Mk.1A: 68 tonnes (67 long tons; 75 short tons)[3]
LengthMk.1: 10.19 metres (33 ft 5 in)
Mk.1A/Mk.2: 10.64 metres (34 ft 11 in)
WidthMk.1: 3.85 metres (12 ft 8 in)
Mk.1A/Mk.2: 3.95 metres (13 ft 0 in)
HeightMk.1: 2.32 metres (7 ft 7 in)
Mk.1A/Mk.2: ~2.8 metres (9 ft 2 in)
Crew4 (commander, gunner, loader and driver)
ArmourERA–NERA, Kanchan armour (classified)
Main
armament
1× 120 mm rifled tank gun able to fire LAHAT, SAMHO,[4] HEAT, APFSDS, HESH, PCB, & TB rounds[5]
(Rate of fire: 6–8 rounds/minute, total: 42 containerized rounds)[6][7]
Secondary
armament
1× NSV 12.7mm AA MG
1× MAG 7.62 mm Tk715 coaxial MG
12 × smoke grenades
EngineMTU MB 838 Ka-501 V10; 1,400 hp (1,044 kW) liquid-cooled turbocharged diesel engine.
Power/weightMK1: 24 hp/ton[8]
TransmissionRenk epicyclic train gearbox, 4 forward + 2 reverse gears.
CVRDE automatic transmission in development
SuspensionHydropneumatic
Ground clearance0.45 metres (1 ft 6 in)
Fuel capacity1,610 litres (350 imp gal; 430 US gal)
Operational
range
MK1: 450 kilometres (280 mi)[9]
Maximum speed MK1: ~70 km/h (43 mph)
40 km/h (25 mph) cross country[10]

The Arjun features a 120 mm rifled main gun with indigenously developed armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot ammunition, one PKT 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a NSVT 12.7 mm machine gun. Powered by a single MTU multi-fuel diesel engine rated at 1,400 hp, it can achieve a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph).[15] It has a four-man crew: commander, gunner, loader and driver.

In 2010 and 2013, the Indian Army carried out comparative trials in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, pitting the newly inducted Arjun MK1 against the Indian Army's frontline Russian-designed T-90 tanks, during which the Arjun reportedly exhibited better accuracy and mobility.[16][17]

The fire-control system (FCS) originally developed for the Arjun main battle tank has been integrated into the T-90 tanks built in India under a transfer of technology (ToT) agreement by the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) at Avadi.[18]

History

After the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, the Government of India decided to develop a new main battle tank.[19] The Indian Army issued a general staff qualitative requirement (GSQR) for a new battle tank, called for a 50 tonne main battle tank equipped with a 120 mm rifled gun, computerised FCS and powered by a 1,400 hp diesel engine.[20][21] The programme to develop an indigenous tank was authorised in 1974 and funds were released for its development. In 1976, the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) was established under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to undertake the development of the Arjun main battle tank and to carry out research and development (R&D) on future combat vehicles for the Indian Army.[22]

In 1983, the project began following a consultancy agreement with Krauss-Maffei, who had previously developed the Leopard 2, to oversee design, development and evaluation, while Indian state owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and HVF were joined with the CVRDE in the development of the Arjun.[1] The original plan envisaged the development and rollout of the first tank prototype by 1980, which was later revised to 1987. The first prototype was delivered in 1989. The prototype tank resembled the Leo2A4 main battle tank of Germany.[20]

From 1993 to 1996, the Indian Army carried out an extensive series of trials, which revealed some major defects in the tank, including the engine overheating and suboptimal performance of the weapons system.[N 2] By the end of 1996, 14 pre-production series (PPS) tanks (PPS-1 to PPS-14) were built and delivered to the Indian Army to conduct trials. Based on these trials, the Army identified 10 shortcomings that needed to be addressed before inaugurating the tank into the service.[1] During this period, the cost of the Arjun programme increased significantly from the 1974 estimate of ₹15.50 crore (equivalent to ₹464 crore or US$58.1 million in 2023) to a developmental cost of ₹307.48 crore (equivalent to ₹18 billion or US$229.4 million in 2023) in 1995.[23][24]

The initial delays and cost escalations were attributed to the sequential revisions done to the original General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) issued in 1974 to accommodate new features.[1] In 1996, the development of the PPS-15 tank prototype was initiated to address the shortcomings listed by the Army. In 1997, a 'joint action plan' was formulated to address the identified flaws and to make the tank ready for induction.[1] By 1999, both the Army and Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave clearance for a limited production run of the Arjun main battle tank based on the PPS-15 prototype. In 2000, the Indian Army placed an order for the procurement of 124 Arjun MK1 tanks.[N 3][1]

Production and deployment

 
An early Arjun production model

One Arjun tank (PPS-15) operated by the 43rd Armoured Regiment made a public appearance in the 1997 and 2001 Republic Day Parades.[20][25] The serial production of the Arjun main battle tank began in 2003 at HVF Avadi. The first tank equipped with the BEL developed Integrated Fire Control System (IFCS), ballistic computer and gunner's main sight, was rolled out in 2004 and delivered in the first batch of five Arjun tanks on 7 August 2004.[26][27] The first tranche of production version Arjun tanks was delivered to the 43rd Armoured Regiment in 2004. By 2009, two armoured regiments had been equipped with the vehicle.[13][28] The first test firing of the LAHAT-launched (Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti-Tank gun) anti-tank guided missile was carried out in 2004.[27]

By 2006, unit maintenance and unit repair vehicles developed for the Arjun-equipped regiments had been cleared for induction.[29] In 2008, a multi-purpose mobile camouflage system (MCS), developed as part of the Defensive Aid System (DAS) project, had been completed successfully. Field evaluation trials were conducted on the Arjun MK1 main battle tank in 2009.[30][31] In 2009, an advanced laser warning countermeasure system (ALWCS) and a fibre-optic gyro-based sensor package unit was developed and integrated on the Arjun MK1 main battle tank after field trials were carried out in two phases from May to August 2009.[31] The first batch of the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) developed recoil system for the Arjun was delivered to the HVF Avadi after successful completion of field trials in 2009; the total order was for 124 systems.[31]

In 2010, combat simulators (turret and driver simulators) developed for the Arjun had been inducted into the Army, its development was authorised in 2009.[32][31] By June 2011, more than 100 tanks had been delivered to the Indian Army.[10] The delivery of all 124 tanks was completed by mid-2012.[33] From 2013 to 2015, 75% of the Arjun tanks had to be grounded because of a lack of spare parts. By 2016, this problem had been rectified, and the tanks returned to active service.[1]

Upgrades

In 2010, the DRDO proposed an improved variant of the Arjun designated as the Arjun MK2 as a next step in the programme.[34] The configuration of the new variant was finalised in mid-2010 after consultations with the army. The new tank was redesigned to have 89 major and minor improvements intended to enhance the firepower and survivability of the tank. Of these, 73 improvements could be fitted easily on the existing MK1 variant tanks. In the same year, the Indian Army placed an order for the procurement of 124 Arjun MK2 tanks, which was later approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).[34] In 2011, the first MK2 prototype was built. This incorporated some 20 improvements, including a new commander's independent panoramic sight system. The tank was handed over to the army to carry out validation trial phase one.[34][33] By 2012, the first complete prototype incorporating all the listed improvements was rolled out for system validation trial phase two.[35]

As part of the developmental trials, the first phase of the LAHAT gun-launched anti-tank guided missile firing trials were carried out by 2013.[36][37] In 2015, DRDO developed an Integrated Automotive Vetronics System (IAVS) that was integrated into the Arjun MK2 prototype tank. Field trials were carried out over 430 kilometres (270 mi) under harsh environmental conditions.[38][39] In 2014 and 2016, two new rounds, Penetration-Cum-Blast and Thermobaric, were developed for the Arjun tank and successfully tested. Impact assessments were also carried out with instruments to measure shock and blast pressure.[40]

In the meantime, the Arjun MK2 variant was redesignated as the Arjun MK1A. By 2018, two Arjun MK1A prototypes had been built and completed user trials by the end of the year.[2]

Design

 
Arjun MK1

Armament

Primary

The Arjun main battle tank has a 120 mm rifled gun fitted with an ARDE-developed (Armament Research and Development Establishment) recoil system, muzzle reference system and fume extractor, which can fire a variety of guided or unguided anti-armour munitions.[41] The main gun is made from high strength electro-slag remelting (ESR) steel which is insulated with a thermal sleeve and autofrettaged to withstand higher pressure.[10][19] The newer Arjun MK1A variant retains the 120 mm rifled gun with improved barrel,[19] although India has developed a 125 mm smoothbore gun for the T-90 tank, which is under license for production.[18][42][43]

 
Arjun Tank ammunition, from left to right: APFSDS—designated locally as FSAPDS, HESH, TB, and PCB rounds

The Arjun MK1 can fire several types of munitions, including indigenously developed armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) and dual purpose high-explosive squash head (HESH) rounds. The Arjun MK1 can carry a mix of 42 APFSDS and HESH rounds in blast-proof canisters with blow out panels.[44][10] In 2017, the Mark 2 variant of the APFSDS with a long rod tungsten alloy penetrator was developed and successfully tested by ARDE for the new Alpha variant of the Arjun (MK1A).[45] The new APFSDS Mark 2 round reportedly has improved penetration compared to the extant Mark 1 round.[46][45] In addition to the existing rounds, the ARDE also developed and successfully tested two high explosive 120 mm rounds for the Arjun: Penetration Cum Blast (PCB) and Thermobaric (TB) Ammunition for urban warfare, which can be fired from existing MK1 and newer MK1A tanks.[47][48]

SAMHO
Main article: SAMHO (missile)

To enhance the firepower of the Arjun, DRDO earlier considered equipping the tank with a LAHAT gun-launched anti-tank guided missile, but in 2014, it was announced the plan had been dropped. In the same year, DRDO announced the development of an Indian-made, gun-launched guided missile under Cannon Launched Guided Missile Programme (CLMDP), the SAMHO.[37] In 2020, DRDO successfully test fired SAMHO from an Arjun main battle tank.[49]

ARDE developed the SAMHO missile in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and the Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE).[50] The SAMHO guided missile has two high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) tandem-charge warheads designed to defeat explosive reactive armour (ERA) protection.[49] The SAMHO is a dual purpose guided missile which can engage and neutralise armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, and low flying targets such as attack helicopters at a minimum range of 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) and maximum range of up to 5 kilometres (3.1 mi).[50][51]

Secondary

 
Remote controlled weapon station on Arjun MK1A

In addition to the main gun, the Arjun has two machine guns:

  1. A 12.7 mm NSV heavy machine gun mounted in front of the gunner's hatch for engaging armoured vehicles, low flying aircraft and attack helicopters. In the Arjun MK1 it is operated manually while in MK1A it has been replaced with a remotely operated gun turret which can be operated from inside the tank without exposing personnel to the hostile battlefield.[52]
  2. A 7.62 mm machine gun in a coaxial weapon mount.[15]

Fire control and sights

The Arjun tanks are equipped with an indigenous fire control system developed by BEL, the Integrated Fire Control System (IFCS).[27] The IFCS consists of a digital ballistic computer which cues information from microprocessor-based sensors for wind-speed, tilt angle, target range, vehicle speed etc., to provide an accurate firing solution.[15] The Arjun's IFCS is designed for quick target acquisition with "first round-first hit probability" during day and night and in all weather conditions. The Arjun has a gun control system integrated into its 120 mm rifled gun which electro-hydraulically stabilises the gun to retain aim accuracy irrespective of the terrain disturbances (while moving).[15] The two axis-stabilised gun control system interfaced with the IFCS offers high accuracy and slewing speed for engaging moving targets while on the move.[15] The fire control system originally developed for the Arjun tank has been integrated into the Indian Army's T-90 tanks.[18]

The Arjun gunner's main sight has an integrated laser range finder, day sight and thermal sight for day and night target recognition and engagement, and dual magnification and fibre-optic gyro based two-axis stabilisation.[15] The sight is integrated with an automatic target tracking system developed by DRDO.[53][19]

The commander's panoramic sight operates independently of the turret. It is stabilised with a fibre-optic gyro, and has an integrated laser rangefinder, day sight with dual magnification and a thermal imaging camera for day and night all-weather 360-degree surveillance.[33] The sight is also interfaced with the ballistic computer, which enables the commander to override the gunner to select and engage targets independently.[33][54] In addition to the laser rangefinder, the Arjun MK1A variant has an integrated laser target designator linked to the SAMHO gun-launched guided missile.[55]

Protection

Armour

 
Close up view of ERA protection on hull glacis and turret of Arjun MK-1A tank

The Arjun MK1 tanks are protected by an indigenously developed armour called Kanchan armour, named after the city of Kanchanbagh, where the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) which designed and developed the armour is located.[56] Kanchan is a composite armour that consists of ceramic tiles and composite panels sandwiched between rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) plates. Its exact composition, the material used and the manufacturing processes are kept highly secret.[56] The armour was fielded on the Arjun after extensive evaluation trials carried out against a variety of modern anti-tank munitions, including APFSDS.[57][56]

The Arjun tanks are also protected with ultra-high strength low alloy DMR-1700 steel armour plates developed by the DMRL, which offer enhanced protection against kinetic energy penetrator projectiles such as APFSDS (125 mm) rounds, over the existing RHA plates by a margin of 20 per cent and 25 per cent against 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm armour-piercing projectiles.[58][59]

The latest variant Arjun, the MK1A, has a completely redesigned turret protected with improved Kanchan armour with enhanced protection against large calibre kinetic energy projectiles,[36] explosive reactive armour (ERA) panels (ERA MK-II) on the turret, hull glacis and the side skirt. The MK1A also has non-explosive reactive armour (NERA) protection.[54][60] The turret is redesigned to reduce its silhouette, thereby delaying detection at ranges using modern electro-optical sights.[61]

The tank has NBC protection and an automatic fire detection and suppression system for enhanced crew protection and survival.[60]

Defensive aid system

Passive protection is provided by a multi-purpose mobile camouflage system (MCS) developed by DRDO; it is integrated on Arjun tanks and evaluations were carried out in 2009.[31] The Arjun also has anti-infrared/anti-thermal paints to reduce its IR signature.[53]

 
One of the four all-bearing laser warning receivers combined with IR jammer (top) and 360 degree independently rotating smoke grenade launcher (bottom). Both are part of the ALWCS, and operate autonomously

Active protection is provided by the Advanced Laser Warning Countermeasure System (ALWCS), and consists of four laser warning receivers mounted on the top of the turret to provide 360-degree protection cover. The ALWCS alerts the crew and indicates the direction of a threat when a laser rangefinder/designator, IR illuminator is pointed at the tank.[62] The ALWCS has integrated IR jammers and aerosol based smoke grenades to confuse the anti-tank guided munitions.

The ALWCS is interfaced with the FCS of the Arjun tank, which autonomously rotates the grenade launcher in the direction of and perceived threat and fires aerosol smoke grenades.[63][31] It has auto and manual modes of operation.[63]

Crew safety and protection

The Arjun has a crew of four—commander, gunner, loader and driver. The Arjun's crew compartment is ergonomically designed for crew safety and comfort and is protected with armour and ERA.[53] In Arjun MK1A, the driver's safety and comfort is enhanced with roof mounted seat to protect him from Shock waves.[19][54] The Arjun's crew and engine compartments are equipped with an automatic fire detection and suppression system, which detects and suppresses fire within 200 milliseconds,[41][45] while ammunition rounds are stored in a containerised ammunition bin with an individual shutter with blow off panels to mitigate the hazard caused by ammunition cook off.[53][19] The Arjun MK1A variant tank has a track-width mine plough to reduce the risk of anti-tank mines;[19] the tank also has NBC protection.[53]

Mobility

The Arjun is a heavy main battle tank that moves on seven roadwheels on each side, supported by an indigenously developed hydropneumatic suspension system. Powered by an MTU 838 Ka 501 turbo charged 10 cylinder liquid cooled diesel engine with a rated power output of 1400 hp at 2400 rpm, the tank has a 70-kilometre (43 mi) top speed and a 40-kilometre-per-hour (25 mph) cross country speed.[64] The Arjun tank has a maximum fuel capacity of 1,610 litres (350 imp gal; 430 US gal)[20] and a range of 450 kilometres (280 mi).[65]

The latest Arjun MK1A variant retains the 1,400 hp diesel powerplant but with a redesigned hydropneumatic suspension system and new advanced running gear system for optimal performance and efficiency.[53][19] Earlier Arjun tanks were equipped with tracks supplied by the German company, Diehl, but these were later replaced with tracks supplied by Larsen & Toubro.[61]

The Arjun has a ground of clearance 0.45 metres (18 in),[20][41] and can ford through 2.15-metre (7 ft 1 in) deep water without using a snorkel. During this operation, air for fuel combustion is drawn through the commander's and loader's hatches.[15]

The MK1A variant has a new auxiliary power unit (APU) with double power generation capacity, which allows the tank to operate in silent watch mode while the main engine is off. The use of an APU reduces the IR/thermal and acoustic signature and enhances the tank's ambush attack capability.[61] The Arjun MK1A has an Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS)[19] in addition to the GPS/inertial navigation system it retains from its predecessor, for enhanced navigation in uncharted hostile enemy territory.[53]

In the Arjun MK1A variant, the driver has an uncooled Night Vision camera and an uncooled thermal imager with binocular vision enabling effortless driving at a reasonable speed on a pitch-black night.[53]

Integrated Automotive Vetronics System

Developed by CVRDE, the Integrated Automotive Vetronics System (IAVS) is a health monitoring system developed for tanks and armoured fighting vehicles operated by the Indian Army.[39] The IAVS is a "system of systems" which integrates sensors and subsystems on board the Arjun to make the tank an efficient fighting machine. The IAVS monitors the data bus that interlaces the hull and turret subsystems, analyses automotive performance and alerts the crew when maintenance is due.[39]

The system also integrates the driver's enhanced sight system and provides automated driving.[39] The tank crew interacts with the system through an integrated touch screen display.[39] Its trials were successfully completed in August 2015 during which the prototype covered 430 kilometres (270 mi) under harsh weather conditions.[38]

Operational history

Since its induction into service, the Arjun has participated in a number of wargames carried out by the Indian Army. In 2010, the first two armoured regiments equipped with Arjun tanks participated in the Army's annual winter exercise. The same year, the Indian Army carried out a comparative trial pitting the newly inducted Arjun MK1 tanks against the imported T-90 tanks.[34] The trial was carried out in four phases from 19 February 2010 to 12 March 2010, checking the subsystem performance, medium fording capability, automotive run and firing trials.[34] The result of the comparative trial was not published until 2013, when it was reported that the Arjun had outperformed the T-90.[17]

During the comparative trials, the Arjun reportedly demonstrated its ability to target and engage moving targets while moving in the opposite direction. In addition, it demonstrated a zero water ingress medium fording capability, multiple target discrimination, and effortless automotive performance achieved even in the heavy dunal desert terrain.[66]

In 2013, the Indian Army announced it would not purchase any additional vehicles above the 124 Arjuns that had already been ordered.[17] In 2014, a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India noted that some parameters of the 2010 comparative trials had been relaxed for the T-90 tanks.[66]

Variants

 
Arjun ARRV
  • Arjun MK1: First production variant Arjun tank similar to the Leopard 2A4, entered service with the Indian Army in 2004.[41] It is a 58.5 ton main battle tank equipped with Kanchan composite armour, a 120 mm rifled gun and an indigenous FCS with digital ballistic computer. It has a laser warning receiver based active protection system.[15]
  • Bhim SPH: A 155 mm self-propelled howitzer variant of the Arjun has been prototyped by fitting the South African Denel T6 turret, which comes with the G5 howitzer to the Arjun chassis. This project has been cancelled as Denel has become embroiled in a corruption scandal in India.[67]
  • Arjun Catapult System: A 130 mm catapult system based on the Arjun chassis. The trials were concluded successfully, and the Indian Army is expected to place an order for 40 systems.[68]
  • Bridge Layer Tank (BLT) based on the Arjun chassis developed by the CVRDE. It uses the "scissors type" of bridge laying method, which does not raise the bridge high up into the air, reducing its visibility to hostile forces.[69]
  • Arjun ARRV: Armoured recovery and repair vehicle based on the Arjun chassis developed by CVRDE and BEML, for supporting Arjun tank regiments in battlefield.[70]
  • Tank EX: A hybrid experimental tank prototype, coupling a T-72 chassis with an Arjun turret.[71]
 
Arjun MK1A
  • Arjun MK1A: The MK1A (previously designated as MK2) is a new variant of Arjun tank designed to enhance firepower, mobility and survivability. It has a completely redesigned turret protected with improved Kanchan armour and ERA. The MK1A has 89 major and minor improvements, of these 73 could be easily incorporated into the MK1 variant. Other major improvements include the addition of NERA for protection, integration of the gun-launched SAMHO ATGM, integration of the gunner's main sight with the automatic target tracking system, integration of the commander's panoramic sight (CPS MK-II) with the laser rangefinder and dual magnification day sight, the addition of an uncooled thermal sight interfaced with the FCS for hunter-killer capability, the addition of an uncooled sight system with binocular vision for the driver, a remote controlled weapon station, a track width mine plough, a containerized ammunition bin with individual shutter (CABIS) for crew safety, an advanced land navigation system, a new auxiliary power unit with double power generation capacity, and a redesigned hydropneumatic suspension system with new advanced running gear system (ARGS) to enhance agility. The Arjun MK1A has considerably more indigenous content than previous variant.[72][54]
  • Unmanned ground vehicle variant planned for production.[73]

FMBT

Variably referred to as the Arjun MK2, Next Generation Main Battle Tank (NGMBT) or Future MBT (FMBT), the FMBT is an upcoming main battle tank developed by DRDO for the Indian Army.[1][74] The FMBT is designed to be considerably lighter than Arjun variants, planned to be equipped with advanced electro-optical sight systems and possibly a high power laser-based weapon system in addition to the main gun.[1] The type and calibre of the main gun has not been decided yet but according to the DRDO the FMBT will have a main gun able to fire high velocity projectiles at a longer distance.[74] The FMBT will also have network-centric warfare abilities.[74]

The FMBT is intended to be a replacement for the Indian Army's fleet of T-72s, and will be a 50 tonne tank powered by an indigenous 1,500 hp or 1,800 hp engine with an automatic transmission system collectively called the "Bharat Power Pack".[74][75][18] The planned FMBT will have a modular design to accommodate emerging technologies.[75] Early in the concept phase, it was decided to begin development of the FMBT only after the completion of the Arjun MK1A (previously designated as Arjun MK2).[75]

Specifications

Arjun specifications
Arjun MK1 Arjun MK1A
Designer Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE)[10]
Manufacturer Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF)
Produced 2004–2012 2021 –
Operator Indian Army
Technical details
Length 10.6 m (35 ft) (with gun forward)[10]
Width 3.9 m (13 ft)[10]
Height 2.32 m (7 ft 7 in) (turret roof) 3.03 m (9.9 ft) (with gun mount)[10]
Weight 58.5 t (57.6 long tons; 64.5 short tons)[10] 68 t (67 long tons; 75 short tons)[54]
Engine 1400 hp MTU 838 Ka 501 turbo charged diesel engine[10]
Power/weight 24:1 hp/ton[10]
Range 450 km (280 mi)
Max.speed 70 km (43 mi) /h[10] 58 km (36 mi) /h[54]
Suspension Hydropneumatic suspension[10]
Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)[10]
Armament
Primary 120 mm rifled gun with recoil system[10]
Ammunition APFSDS (MK-I & MK-II), HEAT, HESH, PCB, TB, SAMHO[10]
Secondary 1×12.7 mm HCB[10]

1×MAG 7.62 mm Tk 715 A

1×12.7 mm remotely operated gun turret[52]

1×MAG 7.62 mm Tk 715 A

Protection
Armour Kanchan composite modular armour [10] Improved Kanchan, ERA, NERA[54]
Passive Multi-spectral mobile camouflage, anti-infrared/anti-thermal paint.[76][31]
Active Advanced Laser Warning Countermeasure System (ALWCS) with IR jammer.[31]
12 × Smoke grenades[10] 16 × Smoke grenades[20]

Operators

  •   India
    • Indian Army
      • 124 Arjun MK1 tanks in service.[77]
      • 2 MK1A (prototypes) in service, with 118 MK1A tanks on order.[78][2][79] On 23 September 2021, the Indian Army signed a contract for 118 Arjun Mk.1As with the first five due to be delivered within 30 months.[80]
      • 40 130 mm M-46 Catapults based on Arjun chassis.[81]

Potential operators

  •   Bahrain: Bahrain is in talks with India for the procurement of Arjun Mk II, which was reported on March 2022.[82]
  •   Colombia: Colombia expressed interest to purchase the Arjun in 2009.[83] As of 2022, there's no signed contract available.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ 15 pre-production prototypes (PPS-1 to PPS-15), 124 Arjun MK1, 2 MK1A prototypes.[1][2]
  2. ^ The initial prototypes of the Arjun were equipped with FCS developed for the Vijayanta Mark 1B main battle tanks.[20]
  3. ^ First variant of Arjun MBT is designated as Arjun MK1 or Mark 1.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mann, Maj Gen Rambir (14 April 2021). "Why MBT Arjun Tank should be embraced by the army?". Forum For Integrated National Security (FINS) India. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Annual Report 2018-19 (PDF). MoD. p. 103. MBT Arjun Mk-II has been designed and developed incorporating 84 improvements (73 tank fittable) over and above MBT Arjun Mk-I. During the year, two MBT Arjun Mk-1A prototypes were positioned at PFFR
  3. ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (16 March 2020). "Army set to place order for 118 Arjun Mark 1-As, the most potent tank in its inventory". Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  4. ^ "DRDO successfully test fires laser-guided anti-tank missile". The Times of India. PTI. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  5. ^ "120 mm Penetration Cum Blast (PCB) and Thermobaric (TB) Ammunition For MBT Arjun". DRDO. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Arjun Main Battle Tank specifications". OFB. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  7. ^ Economic Times (14 July 2018). "Fire-power of DRDO's Arjun Tank takes quantum jump with new ammunition: MoD". The Economic Times. Press Trust of India. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  8. ^ "MBT Arjun Tank". DRDO. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  9. ^ Genys, Andrius. "Arjun". Military-Today. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s (PDF), Technology Focus: Bulletin of Defence Research & Development Organisation, DRDO, 19 (3), June 2011, ISSN 0971-4413, archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2011, retrieved 10 June 2011
  11. ^ Press Trust of India (6 March 2013). "A Look at Indian Army's Main Battle Tanks". India TV. from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  12. ^ Press Trust of India (30 June 2015). "Chinese military research academy praises India's Arjun tank". Business Standard India. Press Trust of India. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  13. ^ a b c Joshi, Saurabh (25 May 2009). "Army gets first Arjun regiment". StratPost – South Asian Defense and Strategic Affairs. from the original on 29 May 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  14. ^ Press Trust of India (12 March 2011). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 November 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h (PDF). Technology Focus. Defence Research and Development Organisation. 19. 9 August 2011. ISSN 0971-4413. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 August 2011.
  16. ^ Vikas (29 January 2018). "MBT Arjun is a formidable tank, but can it replace Russian made T-90?". One India. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  17. ^ a b c Shukla, Ajai (25 March 2010). "Arjun tank outruns, outguns Russian T-90". Business Standard India. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d Jha, Saurav (8 February 2015). "A look at the Indian Army's Main Battle Tank programs". News18. from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i Chattopadhyay, Sankalan (7 April 2021). . Vayu Aerospace and Defence Review. OCLC 62787146. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Geibel, Adam (May–June 1998). "Arjun,India's Mythical Warrior, Is Nearing Reality" (PDF). Armor. Kentucky: The U.S. Army Armor Center. eVIl No.3: 33–34. ISSN 0004-2420.
  21. ^ Arjun 22 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine globalsecurity.com
  22. ^ . 10 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  23. ^ Smith, Chris (1994). India's Ad hoc Arsenal: Direction or Drift in Defence Policy?. Sipri. pp. 148–151. ISBN 978-0-19-829168-8. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  24. ^ "Government of India, Press Information Bureau (PIB), Arjun Battle Tank Lok Sabha release". PIB. 26 March 1974. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  25. ^ Chandra Mohan, A. (16 February 2001). . Sainik Samachar. Ministry of Defence, India. Archived from the original on 26 July 2010. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  26. ^ Annual report 2003-04 (PDF). Ministry of Defence (India). 2003. p. 121.
  27. ^ a b c Annual report 2004-05 (PDF). MoD. 2004. pp. 80–107.
  28. ^ Som, Vishnu. "Blog: Why The Army's Arjun Tank May Be Its Best Bet Yet". NDTV.com. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
  29. ^ Annual report 2006-07 (PDF). MoD. p. 79.
  30. ^ Annual report 2008-09 (PDF). MoD. 2008. p. 90.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h Annual Report 2009-10 (PDF). MoD. pp. 84–94.
  32. ^ "Simulator Training Centre for Arjun tank inaugurated". The Hindu. 31 July 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  33. ^ a b c d Annual Report 2011-12 (PDF). MoD. p. 104.
  34. ^ a b c d e Annual Report 2010-11 (PDF). MoD. pp. 24–91.
  35. ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (5 October 2020). "Not just Arjun, DRDO looking to get indigenous anti-tank missile on Russian T-90 tanks too". The Print. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  36. ^ a b Annual Report 2013-14 (PDF). MoD. pp. 91–98.
  37. ^ a b Singh, Rahul (21 September 2014). "India drops Israeli missile for Arjun Tank". Hindustan Times. from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  38. ^ a b Annual Report 2015-16 (PDF). MoD. p. 84.
  39. ^ a b c d e "Integrated Automotive Vetronics System for AFVs (IAVS)". Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  40. ^ Annual Report 2016-17 (PDF). MoD. p. 82.
  41. ^ a b c d "Arjun". from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  42. ^ "Explained: What is special about the Arjun Main Battle Tank MK-1A?". The Indian Express. 18 February 2021. from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Necessary changes made to main battle tank Arjun Mark II: DRDO". Economic Times. 14 July 2018. from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Arjun Main Battle Tank specifications". OFB. from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  45. ^ a b c Arjun MBT: An Indian Success Story. Delhi: Desidoc. 2017. p. 175. ISBN 9788186514962.
  46. ^ "User trials of 120 mm FSAPDS MK – II ammunition completed successfully". tdf.drdo.gov.in. DRDO. from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  47. ^ "120 mm Penetration Cum Blast (PCB) AND Thermobaric (TB) Ammunition For MBT Arjun". DRDO, India. 14 September 2019. from the original on 26 May 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  48. ^ . Economic Times. 14 July 2018. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  49. ^ a b . The Hindu. 23 September 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  50. ^ a b Press Trust of India (1 October 2020). "DRDO successfully test fires laser-guided anti-tank guided missile from Arjun Tank". The Indian Express. from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  51. ^ "Cannon Launched Missile Development Programme (CLMDP)". Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Government of India. from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  52. ^ a b Main Battle Tank, Arjun 28 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, India
  53. ^ a b c d e f g h Chaitanya, SV Krishna (9 December 2019). "Indigenously designed, Tanker Arjun reports for duty". The New Indian Express. from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  54. ^ a b c d e f g Chaitanya, SV Krishna (8 December 2019). "India's indigenously designed Arjun Mk-1A clears trials, ready to go into production". The New Indian Express. from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  55. ^ Peri, Dinakar (26 December 2020). . The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  56. ^ a b c Joseph, P. Chacko (24 September 2007). . Frontierindia.net. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
  57. ^ "Armour Materials & Modules: MBTs and Other Combat Vehicles". Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  58. ^ Kutumbarao, V. V. (13 October 2020). "DMR 1700 Low Cost High Performance Steel for Defence Applications". Defence Science Journal. 70 (6): 701–702. ISSN 0976-464X.
  59. ^ Singh, B Bhav; G, Sukumar; Senthil, P. Ponguru; Jena, P.K.; Reddy, P.R.S; Kumar, K. Siva; Madhu, V; Reddy, GM (June 2017). "Future Armour Materials and Technologies for Combat Platforms". Defence Science Journal. Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre. 67 (4): 412–419. doi:10.14429/dsj.67.11468.
  60. ^ a b Jain, Ayush (26 April 2021). "Indian Army's Arjun Mk-1 Alpha Tanks 'Desert-Storms' India-Pakistan Border; Tests Firing Capability". The Eurasian Times. from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  61. ^ a b c Bedi, Rahul (25 April 2021). "Why the Arjun MK-1A Main Battle Tank May Prove to Be a Costly Mistake for the Army". The Wire. from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  62. ^ "Israeli Hand in India's New Tank". Israel Defense. Arrowmedia Israel Ltd. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  63. ^ a b "Technologies and Products". Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. from the original on 16 August 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  64. ^ "MBT Arjun Tank". Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. from the original on 11 September 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  65. ^ "Arjun Main Battle Tank". Military-Today.com. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  66. ^ a b "Annexure-XIX". CAG Report No.35 (Defence Services) (PDF). Comptroller and Auditor General of India. 2014. p. 35.
  67. ^ . DefenceNow. 9 November 2013. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  68. ^ Annual report 2014-15 (PDF). Ministry of Defence (India). 2014. p. 82.
  69. ^ "Bridge Layer Tank (BLT) Arjun". Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  70. ^ "Armored Recovery and Repair Vehicle (Arjun ARRV)". Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  71. ^ Venkatesh, Nitin (4 March 2012). "Bharat Rakshak :: Land Forces Site – Tank-EX: DRDO's New Tank". Bharat Rakshak. from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
  72. ^ Philip, Snehesh Alex (1 March 2020). "Army set to place order for 118 Arjun Mark 1-As, the most potent tank in its inventory". ThePrint. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  73. ^ . www.janes.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2022. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  74. ^ a b c d Shukla, Ajai (10 August 2010). "DRDO to develop army's next-generation tank". Business Standard India. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  75. ^ a b c Subramanian, T. S. (4 November 2010). "1,500-horsepower FMBT to replace T-72 tanks beyond 2020". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  76. ^ "Indigenously designed, Tanker Arjun reports for duty". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  77. ^ "118 Arjun Main Battle Tanks, MK-1A, with 71 upgrades will be made for Rs 8,500 crore – Huge orderbook for MBT MK-1A". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  78. ^ "MoD places supply order for 118 Main Battle Tanks Arjun Mk-1A for Indian Army". Press Information Bureau. 23 September 2021.
  79. ^ Staff Writer (13 February 2021). "PM Modi will hand over Arjun Mark 1A to Indian Army". mint. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  80. ^ "Indian MoD orders 118 indigenous Arjun Mk-1A Main Battle Tanks". Army Recognition. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  81. ^ "Breaking News: 40 Arjun Catapult systems for Indian Army". www.spslandforces.com. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  82. ^ "Bahrain has launched talks with India to procure Arjun Mk II main battle tanks". Army Recognition. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  83. ^ "A first: Foreign interest in Arjun tank". 29 June 2009.
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arjun tanks.

October 14, 2023
arjun, tank, arjun, pronounced, ɐɽˈdʑʊn, third, generation, main, battle, tank, developed, combat, vehicles, research, development, establishment, cvrde, defence, research, development, organisation, drdo, indian, army, tank, named, after, arjuna, archer, prin. The Arjun pronounced ɐɽˈdʑʊn is a third generation main battle tank developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment CVRDE of the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO for the Indian Army 11 12 The tank is named after Arjuna the archer prince who is the main protagonist of the Indian epic poem Mahabharata Design work began in 1986 and was finished in 1996 The Arjun main battle tank entered service with the Indian Army in 2004 13 The 43rd Armoured Regiment formed in 2009 was the first regiment to receive the Arjun 13 14 ArjunNew Arjun MK1A variant during field trials TypeMain battle tankPlace of originIndiaProduction historyDesignerCombat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment Defence Research and Development OrganisationDesigned1983 1996ManufacturerArmoured Vehicles Nigam Limited at Heavy Vehicles Factory Produced2004 presentNo built141 as of 2021 N 1 VariantsSee VariantsSpecificationsMassMk 1 58 5 tonnes 57 6 long tons 64 5 short tons Mk 1A 68 tonnes 67 long tons 75 short tons 3 LengthMk 1 10 19 metres 33 ft 5 in Mk 1A Mk 2 10 64 metres 34 ft 11 in WidthMk 1 3 85 metres 12 ft 8 in Mk 1A Mk 2 3 95 metres 13 ft 0 in HeightMk 1 2 32 metres 7 ft 7 in Mk 1A Mk 2 2 8 metres 9 ft 2 in Crew4 commander gunner loader and driver ArmourERA NERA Kanchan armour classified Mainarmament1 120 mm rifled tank gun able to fire LAHAT SAMHO 4 HEAT APFSDS HESH PCB amp TB rounds 5 Rate of fire 6 8 rounds minute total 42 containerized rounds 6 7 Secondaryarmament1 NSV 12 7mm AA MG1 MAG 7 62 mm Tk715 coaxial MG12 smoke grenadesEngineMTU MB 838 Ka 501 V10 1 400 hp 1 044 kW liquid cooled turbocharged diesel engine Power weightMK1 24 hp ton 8 TransmissionRenk epicyclic train gearbox 4 forward 2 reverse gears CVRDE automatic transmission in developmentSuspensionHydropneumaticGround clearance0 45 metres 1 ft 6 in Fuel capacity1 610 litres 350 imp gal 430 US gal OperationalrangeMK1 450 kilometres 280 mi 9 Maximum speedMK1 70 km h 43 mph 40 km h 25 mph cross country 10 The Arjun features a 120 mm rifled main gun with indigenously developed armour piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot ammunition one PKT 7 62 mm coaxial machine gun and a NSVT 12 7 mm machine gun Powered by a single MTU multi fuel diesel engine rated at 1 400 hp it can achieve a maximum speed of 70 km h 43 mph and a cross country speed of 40 km h 25 mph 15 It has a four man crew commander gunner loader and driver In 2010 and 2013 the Indian Army carried out comparative trials in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan pitting the newly inducted Arjun MK1 against the Indian Army s frontline Russian designed T 90 tanks during which the Arjun reportedly exhibited better accuracy and mobility 16 17 The fire control system FCS originally developed for the Arjun main battle tank has been integrated into the T 90 tanks built in India under a transfer of technology ToT agreement by the Heavy Vehicles Factory HVF at Avadi 18 Contents 1 History 1 1 Production and deployment 1 2 Upgrades 2 Design 2 1 Armament 2 1 1 Primary 2 1 1 1 SAMHO 2 1 2 Secondary 2 2 Fire control and sights 2 3 Protection 2 3 1 Armour 2 3 2 Defensive aid system 2 3 3 Crew safety and protection 2 4 Mobility 2 4 1 Integrated Automotive Vetronics System 3 Operational history 4 Variants 4 1 FMBT 5 Specifications 6 Operators 6 1 Potential operators 7 See also 8 Notes 9 ReferencesHistoryAfter the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War the Government of India decided to develop a new main battle tank 19 The Indian Army issued a general staff qualitative requirement GSQR for a new battle tank called for a 50 tonne main battle tank equipped with a 120 mm rifled gun computerised FCS and powered by a 1 400 hp diesel engine 20 21 The programme to develop an indigenous tank was authorised in 1974 and funds were released for its development In 1976 the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment CVRDE was established under the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO to undertake the development of the Arjun main battle tank and to carry out research and development R amp D on future combat vehicles for the Indian Army 22 In 1983 the project began following a consultancy agreement with Krauss Maffei who had previously developed the Leopard 2 to oversee design development and evaluation while Indian state owned Bharat Electronics Limited BEL and HVF were joined with the CVRDE in the development of the Arjun 1 The original plan envisaged the development and rollout of the first tank prototype by 1980 which was later revised to 1987 The first prototype was delivered in 1989 The prototype tank resembled the Leo2A4 main battle tank of Germany 20 From 1993 to 1996 the Indian Army carried out an extensive series of trials which revealed some major defects in the tank including the engine overheating and suboptimal performance of the weapons system N 2 By the end of 1996 14 pre production series PPS tanks PPS 1 to PPS 14 were built and delivered to the Indian Army to conduct trials Based on these trials the Army identified 10 shortcomings that needed to be addressed before inaugurating the tank into the service 1 During this period the cost of the Arjun programme increased significantly from the 1974 estimate of 15 50 crore equivalent to 464 crore or US 58 1 million in 2023 to a developmental cost of 307 48 crore equivalent to 18 billion or US 229 4 million in 2023 in 1995 23 24 The initial delays and cost escalations were attributed to the sequential revisions done to the original General Staff Qualitative Requirement GSQR issued in 1974 to accommodate new features 1 In 1996 the development of the PPS 15 tank prototype was initiated to address the shortcomings listed by the Army In 1997 a joint action plan was formulated to address the identified flaws and to make the tank ready for induction 1 By 1999 both the Army and Cabinet Committee on Security CCS gave clearance for a limited production run of the Arjun main battle tank based on the PPS 15 prototype In 2000 the Indian Army placed an order for the procurement of 124 Arjun MK1 tanks N 3 1 Production and deployment nbsp An early Arjun production modelOne Arjun tank PPS 15 operated by the 43rd Armoured Regiment made a public appearance in the 1997 and 2001 Republic Day Parades 20 25 The serial production of the Arjun main battle tank began in 2003 at HVF Avadi The first tank equipped with the BEL developed Integrated Fire Control System IFCS ballistic computer and gunner s main sight was rolled out in 2004 and delivered in the first batch of five Arjun tanks on 7 August 2004 26 27 The first tranche of production version Arjun tanks was delivered to the 43rd Armoured Regiment in 2004 By 2009 two armoured regiments had been equipped with the vehicle 13 28 The first test firing of the LAHAT launched Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti Tank gun anti tank guided missile was carried out in 2004 27 By 2006 unit maintenance and unit repair vehicles developed for the Arjun equipped regiments had been cleared for induction 29 In 2008 a multi purpose mobile camouflage system MCS developed as part of the Defensive Aid System DAS project had been completed successfully Field evaluation trials were conducted on the Arjun MK1 main battle tank in 2009 30 31 In 2009 an advanced laser warning countermeasure system ALWCS and a fibre optic gyro based sensor package unit was developed and integrated on the Arjun MK1 main battle tank after field trials were carried out in two phases from May to August 2009 31 The first batch of the Armament Research amp Development Establishment ARDE developed recoil system for the Arjun was delivered to the HVF Avadi after successful completion of field trials in 2009 the total order was for 124 systems 31 In 2010 combat simulators turret and driver simulators developed for the Arjun had been inducted into the Army its development was authorised in 2009 32 31 By June 2011 more than 100 tanks had been delivered to the Indian Army 10 The delivery of all 124 tanks was completed by mid 2012 33 From 2013 to 2015 75 of the Arjun tanks had to be grounded because of a lack of spare parts By 2016 this problem had been rectified and the tanks returned to active service 1 Upgrades In 2010 the DRDO proposed an improved variant of the Arjun designated as the Arjun MK2 as a next step in the programme 34 The configuration of the new variant was finalised in mid 2010 after consultations with the army The new tank was redesigned to have 89 major and minor improvements intended to enhance the firepower and survivability of the tank Of these 73 improvements could be fitted easily on the existing MK1 variant tanks In the same year the Indian Army placed an order for the procurement of 124 Arjun MK2 tanks which was later approved by the Defence Acquisition Council DAC 34 In 2011 the first MK2 prototype was built This incorporated some 20 improvements including a new commander s independent panoramic sight system The tank was handed over to the army to carry out validation trial phase one 34 33 By 2012 the first complete prototype incorporating all the listed improvements was rolled out for system validation trial phase two 35 As part of the developmental trials the first phase of the LAHAT gun launched anti tank guided missile firing trials were carried out by 2013 36 37 In 2015 DRDO developed an Integrated Automotive Vetronics System IAVS that was integrated into the Arjun MK2 prototype tank Field trials were carried out over 430 kilometres 270 mi under harsh environmental conditions 38 39 In 2014 and 2016 two new rounds Penetration Cum Blast and Thermobaric were developed for the Arjun tank and successfully tested Impact assessments were also carried out with instruments to measure shock and blast pressure 40 In the meantime the Arjun MK2 variant was redesignated as the Arjun MK1A By 2018 two Arjun MK1A prototypes had been built and completed user trials by the end of the year 2 Design nbsp Arjun MK1Armament Primary The Arjun main battle tank has a 120 mm rifled gun fitted with an ARDE developed Armament Research and Development Establishment recoil system muzzle reference system and fume extractor which can fire a variety of guided or unguided anti armour munitions 41 The main gun is made from high strength electro slag remelting ESR steel which is insulated with a thermal sleeve and autofrettaged to withstand higher pressure 10 19 The newer Arjun MK1A variant retains the 120 mm rifled gun with improved barrel 19 although India has developed a 125 mm smoothbore gun for the T 90 tank which is under license for production 18 42 43 nbsp Arjun Tank ammunition from left to right APFSDS designated locally as FSAPDS HESH TB and PCB roundsThe Arjun MK1 can fire several types of munitions including indigenously developed armour piercing fin stabilized discarding sabot APFSDS and dual purpose high explosive squash head HESH rounds The Arjun MK1 can carry a mix of 42 APFSDS and HESH rounds in blast proof canisters with blow out panels 44 10 In 2017 the Mark 2 variant of the APFSDS with a long rod tungsten alloy penetrator was developed and successfully tested by ARDE for the new Alpha variant of the Arjun MK1A 45 The new APFSDS Mark 2 round reportedly has improved penetration compared to the extant Mark 1 round 46 45 In addition to the existing rounds the ARDE also developed and successfully tested two high explosive 120 mm rounds for the Arjun Penetration Cum Blast PCB and Thermobaric TB Ammunition for urban warfare which can be fired from existing MK1 and newer MK1A tanks 47 48 SAMHO Main article SAMHO missile To enhance the firepower of the Arjun DRDO earlier considered equipping the tank with a LAHAT gun launched anti tank guided missile but in 2014 it was announced the plan had been dropped In the same year DRDO announced the development of an Indian made gun launched guided missile under Cannon Launched Guided Missile Programme CLMDP the SAMHO 37 In 2020 DRDO successfully test fired SAMHO from an Arjun main battle tank 49 ARDE developed the SAMHO missile in association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory HEMRL and the Instruments Research and Development Establishment IRDE 50 The SAMHO guided missile has two high explosive anti tank HEAT tandem charge warheads designed to defeat explosive reactive armour ERA protection 49 The SAMHO is a dual purpose guided missile which can engage and neutralise armoured fighting vehicles tanks and low flying targets such as attack helicopters at a minimum range of 1 5 kilometres 0 93 mi and maximum range of up to 5 kilometres 3 1 mi 50 51 Secondary nbsp Remote controlled weapon station on Arjun MK1AIn addition to the main gun the Arjun has two machine guns A 12 7 mm NSV heavy machine gun mounted in front of the gunner s hatch for engaging armoured vehicles low flying aircraft and attack helicopters In the Arjun MK1 it is operated manually while in MK1A it has been replaced with a remotely operated gun turret which can be operated from inside the tank without exposing personnel to the hostile battlefield 52 A 7 62 mm machine gun in a coaxial weapon mount 15 Fire control and sights The Arjun tanks are equipped with an indigenous fire control system developed by BEL the Integrated Fire Control System IFCS 27 The IFCS consists of a digital ballistic computer which cues information from microprocessor based sensors for wind speed tilt angle target range vehicle speed etc to provide an accurate firing solution 15 The Arjun s IFCS is designed for quick target acquisition with first round first hit probability during day and night and in all weather conditions The Arjun has a gun control system integrated into its 120 mm rifled gun which electro hydraulically stabilises the gun to retain aim accuracy irrespective of the terrain disturbances while moving 15 The two axis stabilised gun control system interfaced with the IFCS offers high accuracy and slewing speed for engaging moving targets while on the move 15 The fire control system originally developed for the Arjun tank has been integrated into the Indian Army s T 90 tanks 18 The Arjun gunner s main sight has an integrated laser range finder day sight and thermal sight for day and night target recognition and engagement and dual magnification and fibre optic gyro based two axis stabilisation 15 The sight is integrated with an automatic target tracking system developed by DRDO 53 19 The commander s panoramic sight operates independently of the turret It is stabilised with a fibre optic gyro and has an integrated laser rangefinder day sight with dual magnification and a thermal imaging camera for day and night all weather 360 degree surveillance 33 The sight is also interfaced with the ballistic computer which enables the commander to override the gunner to select and engage targets independently 33 54 In addition to the laser rangefinder the Arjun MK1A variant has an integrated laser target designator linked to the SAMHO gun launched guided missile 55 Protection Armour nbsp Close up view of ERA protection on hull glacis and turret of Arjun MK 1A tankThe Arjun MK1 tanks are protected by an indigenously developed armour called Kanchan armour named after the city of Kanchanbagh where the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory DMRL which designed and developed the armour is located 56 Kanchan is a composite armour that consists of ceramic tiles and composite panels sandwiched between rolled homogeneous armour RHA plates Its exact composition the material used and the manufacturing processes are kept highly secret 56 The armour was fielded on the Arjun after extensive evaluation trials carried out against a variety of modern anti tank munitions including APFSDS 57 56 The Arjun tanks are also protected with ultra high strength low alloy DMR 1700 steel armour plates developed by the DMRL which offer enhanced protection against kinetic energy penetrator projectiles such as APFSDS 125 mm rounds over the existing RHA plates by a margin of 20 per cent and 25 per cent against 7 62 mm and 12 7 mm armour piercing projectiles 58 59 The latest variant Arjun the MK1A has a completely redesigned turret protected with improved Kanchan armour with enhanced protection against large calibre kinetic energy projectiles 36 explosive reactive armour ERA panels ERA MK II on the turret hull glacis and the side skirt The MK1A also has non explosive reactive armour NERA protection 54 60 The turret is redesigned to reduce its silhouette thereby delaying detection at ranges using modern electro optical sights 61 The tank has NBC protection and an automatic fire detection and suppression system for enhanced crew protection and survival 60 Defensive aid system Passive protection is provided by a multi purpose mobile camouflage system MCS developed by DRDO it is integrated on Arjun tanks and evaluations were carried out in 2009 31 The Arjun also has anti infrared anti thermal paints to reduce its IR signature 53 nbsp One of the four all bearing laser warning receivers combined with IR jammer top and 360 degree independently rotating smoke grenade launcher bottom Both are part of the ALWCS and operate autonomouslyActive protection is provided by the Advanced Laser Warning Countermeasure System ALWCS and consists of four laser warning receivers mounted on the top of the turret to provide 360 degree protection cover The ALWCS alerts the crew and indicates the direction of a threat when a laser rangefinder designator IR illuminator is pointed at the tank 62 The ALWCS has integrated IR jammers and aerosol based smoke grenades to confuse the anti tank guided munitions The ALWCS is interfaced with the FCS of the Arjun tank which autonomously rotates the grenade launcher in the direction of and perceived threat and fires aerosol smoke grenades 63 31 It has auto and manual modes of operation 63 Crew safety and protection The Arjun has a crew of four commander gunner loader and driver The Arjun s crew compartment is ergonomically designed for crew safety and comfort and is protected with armour and ERA 53 In Arjun MK1A the driver s safety and comfort is enhanced with roof mounted seat to protect him from Shock waves 19 54 The Arjun s crew and engine compartments are equipped with an automatic fire detection and suppression system which detects and suppresses fire within 200 milliseconds 41 45 while ammunition rounds are stored in a containerised ammunition bin with an individual shutter with blow off panels to mitigate the hazard caused by ammunition cook off 53 19 The Arjun MK1A variant tank has a track width mine plough to reduce the risk of anti tank mines 19 the tank also has NBC protection 53 Mobility The Arjun is a heavy main battle tank that moves on seven roadwheels on each side supported by an indigenously developed hydropneumatic suspension system Powered by an MTU 838 Ka 501 turbo charged 10 cylinder liquid cooled diesel engine with a rated power output of 1400 hp at 2400 rpm the tank has a 70 kilometre 43 mi top speed and a 40 kilometre per hour 25 mph cross country speed 64 The Arjun tank has a maximum fuel capacity of 1 610 litres 350 imp gal 430 US gal 20 and a range of 450 kilometres 280 mi 65 The latest Arjun MK1A variant retains the 1 400 hp diesel powerplant but with a redesigned hydropneumatic suspension system and new advanced running gear system for optimal performance and efficiency 53 19 Earlier Arjun tanks were equipped with tracks supplied by the German company Diehl but these were later replaced with tracks supplied by Larsen amp Toubro 61 The Arjun has a ground of clearance 0 45 metres 18 in 20 41 and can ford through 2 15 metre 7 ft 1 in deep water without using a snorkel During this operation air for fuel combustion is drawn through the commander s and loader s hatches 15 The MK1A variant has a new auxiliary power unit APU with double power generation capacity which allows the tank to operate in silent watch mode while the main engine is off The use of an APU reduces the IR thermal and acoustic signature and enhances the tank s ambush attack capability 61 The Arjun MK1A has an Advanced Land Navigation System ALNS 19 in addition to the GPS inertial navigation system it retains from its predecessor for enhanced navigation in uncharted hostile enemy territory 53 In the Arjun MK1A variant the driver has an uncooled Night Vision camera and an uncooled thermal imager with binocular vision enabling effortless driving at a reasonable speed on a pitch black night 53 Integrated Automotive Vetronics System Developed by CVRDE the Integrated Automotive Vetronics System IAVS is a health monitoring system developed for tanks and armoured fighting vehicles operated by the Indian Army 39 The IAVS is a system of systems which integrates sensors and subsystems on board the Arjun to make the tank an efficient fighting machine The IAVS monitors the data bus that interlaces the hull and turret subsystems analyses automotive performance and alerts the crew when maintenance is due 39 The system also integrates the driver s enhanced sight system and provides automated driving 39 The tank crew interacts with the system through an integrated touch screen display 39 Its trials were successfully completed in August 2015 during which the prototype covered 430 kilometres 270 mi under harsh weather conditions 38 Operational historySince its induction into service the Arjun has participated in a number of wargames carried out by the Indian Army In 2010 the first two armoured regiments equipped with Arjun tanks participated in the Army s annual winter exercise The same year the Indian Army carried out a comparative trial pitting the newly inducted Arjun MK1 tanks against the imported T 90 tanks 34 The trial was carried out in four phases from 19 February 2010 to 12 March 2010 checking the subsystem performance medium fording capability automotive run and firing trials 34 The result of the comparative trial was not published until 2013 when it was reported that the Arjun had outperformed the T 90 17 During the comparative trials the Arjun reportedly demonstrated its ability to target and engage moving targets while moving in the opposite direction In addition it demonstrated a zero water ingress medium fording capability multiple target discrimination and effortless automotive performance achieved even in the heavy dunal desert terrain 66 In 2013 the Indian Army announced it would not purchase any additional vehicles above the 124 Arjuns that had already been ordered 17 In 2014 a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India noted that some parameters of the 2010 comparative trials had been relaxed for the T 90 tanks 66 Variants nbsp Arjun ARRVArjun MK1 First production variant Arjun tank similar to the Leopard 2A4 entered service with the Indian Army in 2004 41 It is a 58 5 ton main battle tank equipped with Kanchan composite armour a 120 mm rifled gun and an indigenous FCS with digital ballistic computer It has a laser warning receiver based active protection system 15 Bhim SPH A 155 mm self propelled howitzer variant of the Arjun has been prototyped by fitting the South African Denel T6 turret which comes with the G5 howitzer to the Arjun chassis This project has been cancelled as Denel has become embroiled in a corruption scandal in India 67 Arjun Catapult System A 130 mm catapult system based on the Arjun chassis The trials were concluded successfully and the Indian Army is expected to place an order for 40 systems 68 Bridge Layer Tank BLT based on the Arjun chassis developed by the CVRDE It uses the scissors type of bridge laying method which does not raise the bridge high up into the air reducing its visibility to hostile forces 69 Arjun ARRV Armoured recovery and repair vehicle based on the Arjun chassis developed by CVRDE and BEML for supporting Arjun tank regiments in battlefield 70 Tank EX A hybrid experimental tank prototype coupling a T 72 chassis with an Arjun turret 71 nbsp Arjun MK1AArjun MK1A The MK1A previously designated as MK2 is a new variant of Arjun tank designed to enhance firepower mobility and survivability It has a completely redesigned turret protected with improved Kanchan armour and ERA The MK1A has 89 major and minor improvements of these 73 could be easily incorporated into the MK1 variant Other major improvements include the addition of NERA for protection integration of the gun launched SAMHO ATGM integration of the gunner s main sight with the automatic target tracking system integration of the commander s panoramic sight CPS MK II with the laser rangefinder and dual magnification day sight the addition of an uncooled thermal sight interfaced with the FCS for hunter killer capability the addition of an uncooled sight system with binocular vision for the driver a remote controlled weapon station a track width mine plough a containerized ammunition bin with individual shutter CABIS for crew safety an advanced land navigation system a new auxiliary power unit with double power generation capacity and a redesigned hydropneumatic suspension system with new advanced running gear system ARGS to enhance agility The Arjun MK1A has considerably more indigenous content than previous variant 72 54 Unmanned ground vehicle variant planned for production 73 FMBT Variably referred to as the Arjun MK2 Next Generation Main Battle Tank NGMBT or Future MBT FMBT the FMBT is an upcoming main battle tank developed by DRDO for the Indian Army 1 74 The FMBT is designed to be considerably lighter than Arjun variants planned to be equipped with advanced electro optical sight systems and possibly a high power laser based weapon system in addition to the main gun 1 The type and calibre of the main gun has not been decided yet but according to the DRDO the FMBT will have a main gun able to fire high velocity projectiles at a longer distance 74 The FMBT will also have network centric warfare abilities 74 The FMBT is intended to be a replacement for the Indian Army s fleet of T 72s and will be a 50 tonne tank powered by an indigenous 1 500 hp or 1 800 hp engine with an automatic transmission system collectively called the Bharat Power Pack 74 75 18 The planned FMBT will have a modular design to accommodate emerging technologies 75 Early in the concept phase it was decided to begin development of the FMBT only after the completion of the Arjun MK1A previously designated as Arjun MK2 75 SpecificationsArjun specifications Arjun MK1 Arjun MK1ADesigner Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment CVRDE 10 Manufacturer Heavy Vehicles Factory HVF Produced 2004 2012 2021 Operator Indian ArmyTechnical detailsLength 10 6 m 35 ft with gun forward 10 Width 3 9 m 13 ft 10 Height 2 32 m 7 ft 7 in turret roof 3 03 m 9 9 ft with gun mount 10 Weight 58 5 t 57 6 long tons 64 5 short tons 10 68 t 67 long tons 75 short tons 54 Engine 1400 hp MTU 838 Ka 501 turbo charged diesel engine 10 Power weight 24 1 hp ton 10 Range 450 km 280 mi Max speed 70 km 43 mi h 10 58 km 36 mi h 54 Suspension Hydropneumatic suspension 10 Crew 4 commander gunner loader driver 10 ArmamentPrimary 120 mm rifled gun with recoil system 10 Ammunition APFSDS MK I amp MK II HEAT HESH PCB TB SAMHO 10 Secondary 1 12 7 mm HCB 10 1 MAG 7 62 mm Tk 715 A 1 12 7 mm remotely operated gun turret 52 1 MAG 7 62 mm Tk 715 AProtectionArmour Kanchan composite modular armour 10 Improved Kanchan ERA NERA 54 Passive Multi spectral mobile camouflage anti infrared anti thermal paint 76 31 Active Advanced Laser Warning Countermeasure System ALWCS with IR jammer 31 12 Smoke grenades 10 16 Smoke grenades 20 Operators nbsp India Indian Army 124 Arjun MK1 tanks in service 77 2 MK1A prototypes in service with 118 MK1A tanks on order 78 2 79 On 23 September 2021 the Indian Army signed a contract for 118 Arjun Mk 1As with the first five due to be delivered within 30 months 80 40 130 mm M 46 Catapults based on Arjun chassis 81 Potential operators nbsp Bahrain Bahrain is in talks with India for the procurement of Arjun Mk II which was reported on March 2022 82 nbsp Colombia Colombia expressed interest to purchase the Arjun in 2009 83 As of 2022 there s no signed contract available See alsoTank EXNotes 15 pre production prototypes PPS 1 to PPS 15 124 Arjun MK1 2 MK1A prototypes 1 2 The initial prototypes of the Arjun were equipped with FCS developed for the Vijayanta Mark 1B main battle tanks 20 First variant of Arjun MBT is designated as Arjun MK1 or Mark 1 1 References a b c d e f g h i j Mann Maj Gen Rambir 14 April 2021 Why MBT Arjun Tank should be embraced by the army Forum For Integrated National Security FINS India Retrieved 22 June 2021 a b c Annual Report 2018 19 PDF MoD p 103 MBT Arjun Mk II has been designed and developed incorporating 84 improvements 73 tank fittable over and above MBT Arjun Mk I During the year two MBT Arjun Mk 1A prototypes were positioned at PFFR Philip Snehesh Alex 16 March 2020 Army set to place order for 118 Arjun Mark 1 As the most potent tank in its inventory Retrieved 3 June 2021 DRDO successfully test fires laser guided anti tank missile The Times of India PTI 1 October 2020 Retrieved 1 October 2020 120 mm Penetration Cum Blast PCB and Thermobaric TB Ammunition For MBT Arjun DRDO Ministry of Defence Retrieved 26 July 2021 Arjun Main Battle Tank specifications OFB Retrieved 5 August 2021 Economic Times 14 July 2018 Fire power of DRDO s Arjun Tank takes quantum jump with new ammunition MoD The Economic Times Press Trust of India Retrieved 8 December 2019 MBT Arjun Tank DRDO Retrieved 18 July 2021 Genys Andrius Arjun Military Today Retrieved 10 December 2019 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Technology focus PDF Technology Focus Bulletin of Defence Research amp Development Organisation DRDO 19 3 June 2011 ISSN 0971 4413 archived from the original PDF on 9 August 2011 retrieved 10 June 2011 Press Trust of India 6 March 2013 A Look at Indian Army s Main Battle Tanks India TV Archived from the original on 3 November 2013 Retrieved 4 August 2013 Press Trust of India 30 June 2015 Chinese military research academy praises India s Arjun tank Business Standard India Press Trust of India Retrieved 20 June 2021 a b c Joshi Saurabh 25 May 2009 Army gets first Arjun regiment StratPost South Asian Defense and Strategic Affairs Archived from the original on 29 May 2012 Retrieved 2 December 2011 Press Trust of India 12 March 2011 Arjun Tank inducted into 75 armoured regiment The Times of India Archived from the original on 3 November 2013 Retrieved 29 June 2013 a b c d e f g h Indigenous Armoured Tracked Vehicles PDF Technology Focus Defence Research and Development Organisation 19 9 August 2011 ISSN 0971 4413 Archived from the original PDF on 9 August 2011 Vikas 29 January 2018 MBT Arjun is a formidable tank but can it replace Russian made T 90 One India Retrieved 2 October 2020 a b c Shukla Ajai 25 March 2010 Arjun tank outruns outguns Russian T 90 Business Standard India Retrieved 20 June 2021 a b c d Jha Saurav 8 February 2015 A look at the Indian Army s Main Battle Tank programs News18 Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 20 June 2021 a b c d e f g h i Chattopadhyay Sankalan 7 April 2021 A is for Aatmanirbhar Vayu Aerospace and Defence Review OCLC 62787146 Archived from the original on 14 October 2021 Retrieved 14 October 2021 a b c d e f g Geibel Adam May June 1998 Arjun India s Mythical Warrior Is Nearing Reality PDF Armor Kentucky The U S Army Armor Center eVIl No 3 33 34 ISSN 0004 2420 Arjun Archived 22 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine globalsecurity com DRDO 10 February 2012 Archived from the original on 10 February 2012 Retrieved 22 June 2021 Smith Chris 1994 India s Ad hoc Arsenal Direction or Drift in Defence Policy Sipri pp 148 151 ISBN 978 0 19 829168 8 Retrieved 23 April 2008 Government of India Press Information Bureau PIB Arjun Battle Tank Lok Sabha release PIB 26 March 1974 Retrieved 10 June 2011 Chandra Mohan A 16 February 2001 Arms and the Men on Rajpath Sainik Samachar Ministry of Defence India Archived from the original on 26 July 2010 Retrieved 2 December 2011 Annual report 2003 04 PDF Ministry of Defence India 2003 p 121 a b c Annual report 2004 05 PDF MoD 2004 pp 80 107 Som Vishnu Blog Why The Army s Arjun Tank May Be Its Best Bet Yet NDTV com Retrieved 10 March 2020 Annual report 2006 07 PDF MoD p 79 Annual report 2008 09 PDF MoD 2008 p 90 a b c d e f g h Annual Report 2009 10 PDF MoD pp 84 94 Simulator Training Centre for Arjun tank inaugurated The Hindu 31 July 2010 ISSN 0971 751X Retrieved 29 June 2021 a b c d Annual Report 2011 12 PDF MoD p 104 a b c d e Annual Report 2010 11 PDF MoD pp 24 91 Philip Snehesh Alex 5 October 2020 Not just Arjun DRDO looking to get indigenous anti tank missile on Russian T 90 tanks too The Print Retrieved 30 June 2021 a b Annual Report 2013 14 PDF MoD pp 91 98 a b Singh Rahul 21 September 2014 India drops Israeli missile for Arjun Tank Hindustan Times Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 24 June 2021 a b Annual Report 2015 16 PDF MoD p 84 a b c d e Integrated Automotive Vetronics System for AFVs IAVS Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO Ministry of Defence Government of India Archived from the original on 7 August 2021 Retrieved 30 June 2021 Annual Report 2016 17 PDF MoD p 82 a b c d Arjun Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 2 July 2021 Explained What is special about the Arjun Main Battle Tank MK 1A The Indian Express 18 February 2021 Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 23 June 2021 Necessary changes made to main battle tank Arjun Mark II DRDO Economic Times 14 July 2018 Archived from the original on 5 June 2021 Retrieved 2 June 2021 Arjun Main Battle Tank specifications OFB Archived from the original on 5 August 2021 Retrieved 5 August 2021 a b c Arjun MBT An Indian Success Story Delhi Desidoc 2017 p 175 ISBN 9788186514962 User trials of 120 mm FSAPDS MK II ammunition completed successfully tdf drdo gov in DRDO Archived from the original on 23 February 2021 Retrieved 18 July 2021 120 mm Penetration Cum Blast PCB AND Thermobaric TB Ammunition For MBT Arjun DRDO India 14 September 2019 Archived from the original on 26 May 2021 Retrieved 2 June 2021 Fire power of DRDO s Arjun Tank takes quantum jump with new ammunition MoD Economic Times 14 July 2018 Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 4 June 2021 a b DRDO test fires laser guided anti tank missile The Hindu 23 September 2020 ISSN 0971 751X Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 24 June 2021 a b Press Trust of India 1 October 2020 DRDO successfully test fires laser guided anti tank guided missile from Arjun Tank The Indian Express Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 24 June 2021 Cannon Launched Missile Development Programme CLMDP Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO Government of India Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 23 September 2020 a b Main Battle Tank Arjun Archived 28 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine Defence Research amp Development Organisation DRDO Ministry of Defence India a b c d e f g h Chaitanya SV Krishna 9 December 2019 Indigenously designed Tanker Arjun reports for duty The New Indian Express Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 2 July 2021 a b c d e f g Chaitanya SV Krishna 8 December 2019 India s indigenously designed Arjun Mk 1A clears trials ready to go into production The New Indian Express Archived from the original on 24 February 2021 Retrieved 8 December 2019 Peri Dinakar 26 December 2020 Army to move Defence Ministry for 118 Arjun Mk 1A tanks The Hindu ISSN 0971 751X Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 2 July 2021 a b c Joseph P Chacko 24 September 2007 The Kanchan armour Frontierindia net Archived from the original on 25 July 2011 Retrieved 10 June 2011 Armour Materials amp Modules MBTs and Other Combat Vehicles Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO Ministry of Defence Government of India Retrieved 2 July 2021 Kutumbarao V V 13 October 2020 DMR 1700 Low Cost High Performance Steel for Defence Applications Defence Science Journal 70 6 701 702 ISSN 0976 464X Singh B Bhav G Sukumar Senthil P Ponguru Jena P K Reddy P R S Kumar K Siva Madhu V Reddy GM June 2017 Future Armour Materials and Technologies for Combat Platforms Defence Science Journal Defence Scientific Information amp Documentation Centre 67 4 412 419 doi 10 14429 dsj 67 11468 a b Jain Ayush 26 April 2021 Indian Army s Arjun Mk 1 Alpha Tanks Desert Storms India Pakistan Border Tests Firing Capability The Eurasian Times Archived from the original on 11 September 2021 Retrieved 20 June 2021 a b c Bedi Rahul 25 April 2021 Why the Arjun MK 1A Main Battle Tank May Prove to Be a Costly Mistake for the Army The Wire Archived from the original on 11 September 2021 Retrieved 2 July 2021 Israeli Hand in India s New Tank Israel Defense Arrowmedia Israel Ltd 20 February 2014 Retrieved 2 July 2021 a b Technologies and Products Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO Ministry of Defence Government of India Archived from the original on 16 August 2021 Retrieved 2 July 2021 MBT Arjun Tank Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO Ministry of Defence Government of India Archived from the original on 11 September 2021 Retrieved 3 July 2021 Arjun Main Battle Tank Military Today com Retrieved 15 August 2021 a b Annexure XIX CAG Report No 35 Defence Services PDF Comptroller and Auditor General of India 2014 p 35 India s Self Propelled Artillery Project Bhim To Get a New Lease of Life Defence Now DefenceNow 9 November 2013 Archived from the original on 9 November 2013 Retrieved 15 July 2021 Annual report 2014 15 PDF Ministry of Defence India 2014 p 82 Bridge Layer Tank BLT Arjun Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO Ministry of Defence Government of India Retrieved 18 July 2021 Armored Recovery and Repair Vehicle Arjun ARRV Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO Ministry of Defence Government of India Retrieved 14 July 2021 Venkatesh Nitin 4 March 2012 Bharat Rakshak Land Forces Site Tank EX DRDO s New Tank Bharat Rakshak Archived from the original on 4 March 2012 Retrieved 15 July 2021 Philip Snehesh Alex 1 March 2020 Army set to place order for 118 Arjun Mark 1 As the most potent tank in its inventory ThePrint Retrieved 22 March 2020 India plans to develop combat UGV based on Arjun tank www janes com Archived from the original on 16 April 2022 Retrieved 19 April 2022 a b c d Shukla Ajai 10 August 2010 DRDO to develop army s next generation tank Business Standard India Retrieved 6 July 2021 a b c Subramanian T S 4 November 2010 1 500 horsepower FMBT to replace T 72 tanks beyond 2020 The Hindu ISSN 0971 751X Retrieved 6 July 2021 Indigenously designed Tanker Arjun reports for duty The New Indian Express Retrieved 2 July 2021 118 Arjun Main Battle Tanks MK 1A with 71 upgrades will be made for Rs 8 500 crore Huge orderbook for MBT MK 1A The Economic Times Retrieved 2 July 2021 MoD places supply order for 118 Main Battle Tanks Arjun Mk 1A for Indian Army Press Information Bureau 23 September 2021 Staff Writer 13 February 2021 PM Modi will hand over Arjun Mark 1A to Indian Army mint Retrieved 14 February 2021 Indian MoD orders 118 indigenous Arjun Mk 1A Main Battle Tanks Army Recognition 24 September 2021 Retrieved 8 October 2021 Breaking News 40 Arjun Catapult systems for Indian Army www spslandforces com 29 August 2014 Retrieved 16 July 2021 Bahrain has launched talks with India to procure Arjun Mk II main battle tanks Army Recognition Retrieved 16 March 2022 A first Foreign interest in Arjun tank 29 June 2009 nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Arjun tanks Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arjun tank amp oldid 1179921987, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.