ARJUN MK-1 (MAIN BATTLE TANK)

ARUN MBT

The Arjun is an indigenous project, but not wholly so. Imported items such as the engine/ power pack, gunner’s main sight, and other components account for 58% of each tank’s cost. This is not uncommon around the world. Israel’s Merkava tank family also relies on a foreign-built engine, for instance, as does France’s Leclerc.

It is uncommon among Indian policy-makers, but the reality is that a series of project failures gave them little choice. The Arjun has been plagued with a mix of problems over its 36-year development history, including its fire control system, suspension issues, and poor mobility due to excessive weight. It has also grown from a 40-tonne tank with a 105mm gun, to a 62-67 tonne tank with a 120mm gun. Predictably, project costs spiraled up from Rs 15.5 crore in 1974 to Rs 306 crore (INR 3.06 trillion). The army was not pleased. In an unusual stance, they accepted the tank only after a third-party audit by an international tank manufacturer, and orders were strictly limited.

The Indian army didn’t even stand up its 1st Arjun armored regiment until May 2009, 35 years after the program began. To underscore the point, even that milestone followed a development that seemed to end the platform’s future. In July 2008, India had announced that production of the Arjun would be capped at the already-committed total of 124 vehicles. Instead, development would begin on a new next-generation tank, designed to survive and serve until 2040 or so.

That appeared to close the book on a failed project, but opinion in India was sharply split. Many observers cited this as the final failure. Other were noting the problems with the T-90s, and the Army’s refusal to conduct side-by-side tests, alongside recent test successes that began earning the Arun some military fans. In May 2010 desert trials alongside the T-90S, the Arjun did surprisingly well.In response, the government and the Army changed course somewhat. Arjun production would double to 248. That’s an improvement, but DRDO insists that a 500 vehicle order is needed to give them the volume needed to iron out all production difficulties, and provide a platform for future development.

The Army’s plan still calls for 1,657 T-90S “Bhishma” tanks external link at about 12 crore (INR 120 million, about $2.78 million) each if prices remain stable. About 1,000 of those are slated to be built in India by Avadi Heavy Industries, the same firm that builds the Arjuns. They will be joined by just 248 Arjuns at about 16.8 crore (INR 168 million, about $3.92 million) each, as well as 692 older T-72 tanks upgraded to the T-72M1 “Ajeya” standard external link. This overall plan changes the force structure proposed in 2006, from 3,780 tanks (1,302 T-90s and 2,480 T-72s) to 2,597 higher-end tanks. 

MOBILITY :-

The vehicle uses the world famous German MTU diesel engine (turbo-charged), which gives 1400hp, a top road speed of 72km/h and an operational range of 450km’s.The vehicle has proven to have a low ground-pressure, which has been idea for desert warfare mobility. The vehicle uses a hydrogas suspension, which gives a smoother crossing over rough terrain, allowing it to travel faster over rough terrain, a more stable platform for firing on the move and greater comfort to the 4 man crew.

FIREPOWER :-

The vehicle is equipped with 120mm rifled calibre Length 55 main gun capable of firing HESH (High Explosive Squash Head) and APFSDS (Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) rounds at the rate of 6-8 rounds per minute. 39 rounds are carried in protected storage. Unlike most rifled main guns the Arjun can fire a modified HEAT round. Though details are not given, HEAT rounds generally are less effective as the imparted spin from the rifling effects the shaped charges inverted  copper jet.

The main gun has a coaxial 7.62mm Machine Gun and a roof mounted 12.7mm MG. The main gun is fully stabilised so can fire on the move. The Fire Control System is fully computerised with a laser designator and thermal sight for the gunner and the commander has a independent sight (day channel only) giving the vehicle a hunter killer capability, making it a third-generation tank.

PROTECTION :-

The vehicle is fitted with a composite armour called Kanchan. Tests of the armour showed it to withstand APFSDS rounds fired at it from a Russian T-72. The vehicle is equipped with full NBC protection and a HALON fire detection & suppression system within the crew compartment

SPECIFICATIONS :-

Weight 64.5 tonnes

Length 10.6m

Width 3.864m

Height 2.32m

Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader and driver)