Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT)

[Dark Sorrow]

Please explain the complex answer when you have time. It is hard to understand this behavioral trait of our MoD/defence forces. Is the idea always to apply a quick fix? Than look long term and develop capability for decades? Also if Indian solutions are backed to the hilt - then the infamous L1 clause would mean foreigners can't compete at all.

For long even indigenous production in India meant ToT to OFB or allied and screwdrivergiri here in India with most vital components still being imported from OEM. I think the idea of design and innovate in India has not taken hold in power centers of the country- they are still thinking ToT and make (manufacture) in India- which is the lower end of the product spectrum.

1. First and foremost IA wants a completely developed product specifically if it is an Indian (DRDO) developed product. They will have no patience to resolve snags or the teething issues from a new product. They basically want a fully baked product.
2. IA is not ready to pour money or efforts to develop a new product.
3. Import lobby has lot of clout on politicians, bureaucrat and serving personal alike.
4. PSU (OFB) will also pressurize government for orders.
5. We as a country are still stuck in socialist bullshit.
6. Private sector will not venture into the area till they see profits which mean confirmed orders from IA. Since IA is not ready for giving confirmed orders private players are not intreset in this risky endeavor.
7. We as a country lack strong industrial and R&D base.

 

[MonaLazy]

1. First and foremost IA wants a completely developed product specifically if it is an Indian (DRDO) developed product. They will have no patience to resolve snags or the teething issues from a new product. They basically want a fully baked product.
2. IA is not ready to pour money or efforts to develop a new product.
3. Import lobby has lot of clout on politicians, bureaucrat and serving personal alike.
4. PSU (OFB) will also pressurize government for orders.
5. We as a country are still stuck in socialist bullshit.
6. Private sector will not venture into the area till they see profits which mean confirmed orders from IA. Since IA is not ready for giving confirmed orders private players are not intreset in this risky endeavor.
7. We as a country lack strong industrial and R&D base.

If it's a mindset problem then thank God for China. If not for them amassing the best they can produce as on date (unlike India where we want best of the best from serial#1) on our borders - in large numbers we would have still been stuck in the Nehruvian mindset of distrusting the private sector- the roots of which may go back all the way to East India Company! Also thanks to China we cannot confront them with an imported Army, Navy and Airforce- don't have that sort of money.

We are now talking of startups atleast in AI/unmanned ground and air vehicles. Step in the right direction. Also our private sector being weak is a chicken and egg problem. If they are not trusted to deliver why will they invest time, money & effort. We have to ape the Americans here, how they compete between two well funded (from government kitty) behemoths and how to run programs like DARPA.

 

[Super Flanker]

The answer is very complex. If you want to summarize in one line their are lot of interest in importing than using locally developed product.

That's more of a case in the Indian army. Indian army always has that Tendency to incline towards imports most of the Time. No matter how good the Indigenous Designed Product is as compared to the Imported one, still we will Import.

 

[Super Flanker]

 

[knathan]

Sir
Is CLGM ready?
Long time ago it was tested sucessfully.
We Need non line of sight anti tank missile.

 

[asianobserve]

Something must be done about this vulnerability...

Something like this...

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

What is the current status on APS developed for Arjun MBT? We only have some info on the optical sensors & IR jammers. What about radar & hard-kill launcher?

Currently only Elbyt Sytem's ELAWS LWR is fitted on top corners. Although increased height means better coverage but it can be hit by heavy MG from any direction. It should be on corners of turret like on Revolution MBT.
Can someone please explain why this LWR has so many apertures?
The 2 horizontal & 3 vertical ones could be for findint direction in X-Y axis, but then what about other 4 rectangular, 6 circular, 16 square apertures? That's total 31 apertures just for LWR??????

The Elbit systems Advanced Laser Warning And Countermeasure System (ALWACS) was also being tested on Arjun MBT. It comprises of ELAWS LWR shown above & (VIRCM) Vehicle InfraRed Counter-Measures shown below:

It seems we can't copy-paste images as attachments from our computer. Bigger image of VIRCM can be seen in this PDF (https://elbitsystems.com/media/EoShield.pdf)

So now we need 360 degree radar coverage with hard-kill launcher like in Trophy APS.

 

[Super Flanker]

What is the Statue of Arjun mk2/3

 

[THESIS THORON]

what are updates on 125mm smoothbore ??

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

What is the Statue of Arjun mk2/3

I'm guessing - Arjun MK3 will probably be FMBT, something like T-14 Armata, unmanned turret.
And MK2 will have same chasis & turret as MK1 but with complete APS, improved engine, additional armor like on skirt, etc.

 

[Love Charger]

what are updates on 125mm smoothbore ??

Nou

 

[Super Flanker]

I'm guessing - Arjun MK3 will probably be FMBT, something like T-14 Armata, unmanned turret.
And MK2 will have same chasis & turret as MK1 but with complete APS, improved engine, additional armor like on skirt, etc.

YEAH

 

[Bhartiya Sainik]

I'm guessing - Arjun MK3 will probably be FMBT, something like T-14 Armata, unmanned turret.
And MK2 will have same chasis & turret as MK1 but with complete APS, improved engine, additional armor like on skirt, etc.

Now i'm confused bcoz the tank has been labeled as MK II seen on front mudguard, instead of Mk1A. If for every small upgrade they will increase designation number then the completed APS model might become MK5 & completed/FOC production FMBT will become MK-10.

 

[BlackViking]

Now i'm confused bcoz the tank has been labeled as MK II seen on front mudguard, instead of Mk1A. If for every small upgrade they will increase designation number then the completed APS model might become MK5 & completed/FOC production FMBT will become MK-10.

This is the earlier designation. This Arjun mk2 is now Mk1A.

 

[Vamsi]

Found this old documentary by Discovery Channel about our Arjun. Every one should watch this. Man, this tank is gold. This tank justifies it's name.

 

[samsaptaka]

Found this old documentary by Discovery Channel about our Arjun. Every one should watch this. Man, this tank is gold. This tank justifies it's name.

Haha tell it to our top Gernails ! Who have T90 kickback retirement funds stashed away

 

[mist_consecutive]

Any update on 118 Mk1A order ? Did any of them get delivered yet ?

 

[The Shrike]

Any update on 118 Mk1A order ? Did any of them get delivered yet ?

IIRC its going to take ~4 years, so long way to go.

 

[mist_consecutive]

IIRC its going to take ~4 years, so long way to go.

4 years to start delivery?

 

[shuvo@y2k10]

4 years to start delivery?

Contract finally signed in September 2021. 30 months for manufacturing and delivering 5 production standard prototypes to the Army. The army will then put these 5 prototypes to trial. After that they will give go ahead to manufacture the rest 113 MK1As.