Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT)
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General Characteristics of MBT Arjun and T-90S
Battle tank design is an optimization of the three basic characteristics viz. firepower, mobility and protection. All tanks are designed in accordance with the war doctrine of the country and to ensure operation over a range of environmental conditions. Arjun MBT is a state of art tank, developed to suite specific needs of Indian Army. Arjun MBT is on par with contemporary tanks in its class like M1 Abrams, Leopard 2, Leclerc and Challenger II. T-90S is a lighter tank and does not fall in the class of Arjun MBT. T-90S is designed in accordance to specifications of the Russian Army and Russian cold c
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The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News
Army falls for Arjun, induction by month-end
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 6
In what may be considered as a fillip for the country�s indigenous production of defence equipment, the first-ever fleet of Indian-made Arjun battle tanks would be inducted into the Army by February end.
A total 45 tanks would form this armoured regiment and the first order of tanks is expected to arrive within next three weeks. In the first phase, 18-20 tanks would be handed over to the Indian Army by the heavy vehicle factory, Avadi, Tamil Nadu. Already, about 85 tanks are in various stages of production.
Notably, the induction is coming almost 36 years after India announced its programme to build own tanks, and the process was laced with glitches and delays.
The tanks would be available at the Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACCS), Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, where training of personnel would be carried out. It would take a few months more before the Arjun is actually deployed in one of the armoured corps on field duties. It is likely that the deployment could be the Indo-Pak border where a majority of the 59 tank regiments of the Army are deployed.
The induction is coming despite stiff opposition from within the armed forces, which tested the tank to the hilt and agreed only after various parameters were met. Defence Minister AK Antony stood his ground and made it clear that the 58-tonne Arjun would be inducted, as it was working fine.
Well-placed sources in the government said the tanks earlier had to be handed over by January end, but the deadline was extended by a month. Sources in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) confirmed that the tanks were ready for shipment and handing-over to the Army.
Rather, the move implies that the induction would be carried out without waiting for the much-awaited comparative trials of the indigenous Arjun tanks with Russian-made T-90s, as had been desired by the DRDO.
Battle tank design is an optimization of the three basic characteristics viz. firepower, mobility and protection. All tanks are designed in accordance with the war doctrine of the country and to ensure operation over a range of environmental conditions. Arjun MBT is a state of art tank, developed to suite specific needs of Indian Army. Arjun MBT is on par with contemporary tanks in its class like M1 Abrams, Leopard 2, Leclerc and Challenger II. T-90S is a lighter tank and does not fall in the class of Arjun MBT. T-90S is designed in accordance to specifications of the Russian Army and Russian cold c
--------
The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Main News
Army falls for Arjun, induction by month-end
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 6
In what may be considered as a fillip for the country�s indigenous production of defence equipment, the first-ever fleet of Indian-made Arjun battle tanks would be inducted into the Army by February end.
A total 45 tanks would form this armoured regiment and the first order of tanks is expected to arrive within next three weeks. In the first phase, 18-20 tanks would be handed over to the Indian Army by the heavy vehicle factory, Avadi, Tamil Nadu. Already, about 85 tanks are in various stages of production.
Notably, the induction is coming almost 36 years after India announced its programme to build own tanks, and the process was laced with glitches and delays.
The tanks would be available at the Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACCS), Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, where training of personnel would be carried out. It would take a few months more before the Arjun is actually deployed in one of the armoured corps on field duties. It is likely that the deployment could be the Indo-Pak border where a majority of the 59 tank regiments of the Army are deployed.
The induction is coming despite stiff opposition from within the armed forces, which tested the tank to the hilt and agreed only after various parameters were met. Defence Minister AK Antony stood his ground and made it clear that the 58-tonne Arjun would be inducted, as it was working fine.
Well-placed sources in the government said the tanks earlier had to be handed over by January end, but the deadline was extended by a month. Sources in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) confirmed that the tanks were ready for shipment and handing-over to the Army.
Rather, the move implies that the induction would be carried out without waiting for the much-awaited comparative trials of the indigenous Arjun tanks with Russian-made T-90s, as had been desired by the DRDO.
Dissimilar Combat: Arjun MBT Vs T-90S specs
June 2007 will see the Indian Army pitching Arjun MBT against T-90S and T-72 for a dissimilar combat. Whatever the reason for the exercise, Indian Army is on record stating that, the Arjun MBT production will be decided by outcome of this event. Frontier India Defence and Strategic News Service (FIDSNS) have collated the features of Arjun MBT and T-90S for the reader�s judgment of the capabilities of the tank. T-72 M1 specifications have not been added as T-90S is an advanced version of T-72 M1 which Indian Army operates. The two tanks have similar features in most of the mobility features and T-90S has add-on enhancements in terms of firepower and protection.
limate. Both Arjun MBT and T-90S can be transported to Indian border areas by rail throughout the National Broad Gauge network.
Mobility performance
Arjun MBT�s Hydro Pneumatic Suspension system provides a stable weapon platform which enhances the fire on move capability and excellent riding comfort during cross country move. The Indian borders in north and west are very rugged. Arjun MBT has less Nominal Ground Pressure (NGP) compared to T-90S. Arjun MBT has better acceleration and maximum road speed due to high peak torque output of the engine coupled with fully automatic transmission not withstanding �slightly� lower power to weight ratio. Automatic transmission provides neutral turn capability which adds to the maneuverability during shoot and scoot. Arjun MBT features Auxiliary Power Units (APU) which T-90S does not have. APU�s provide continuous operation in silent watch mode. It also saves main engine life. Rubberized double pin tracks provide increased life, reduced track noise and better maintainability. Arjun MBT�s mission reliability has been proved with 500 kms being covered in 48 hours. Arjun MBT successfully crossed the RAVI River at Lassian without support systems due to lower ground pressure. Trench crossing capability of Arjun MBT is on par with T-90S as Arjun MBT has seven bogie stations compared to six bogie stations of T-90S.
Fire Power Performance
Firing performance of Arjun MBT is superior to T-90S in terms of accuracy (both static and dynamic situations) due to gun ammunition combination and high order of weapon stabilization coupled with auto collimated MRS. Auto collimated MRS compensates for the barrel bend. Firing performance of Arjun MBT and T-90S is same in terms of defeat capability and rate of firing. Two axis stabilized commander�s panoramic sight integrated with gunners main sight provides �hunter killer� capability both in static as dynamic mode (moving to moving mode). Higher order of stabilization accuracy enables accurate fire on the move at a moving target while maintaining the stipulated fire rate. The commander of Arjun MBT can engage targets in case of emergency, capable of firing at various slopes and tilt angles. First round hits probability has been demonstrated for MBT Arjun on a 1 mil target and greater than 60% hit percentage when firing from a moving Arjun tank to a moving target, both at 25 km/h.
LAHAT (semi automatic homing) Missile firing from Arjun MBT has been already demonstrated using a stand alone Laser Target Designator (LTD). This designator can be integrated into Gunner�s Main Sight (GMS). T-90S can fire Laser bean riding missile..
Arjun MBT armament system including gun barrel has been proved to be robust and reliable No case of barrel burst was reported even after firing 10000 rounds. The Arjun MBT prototypes and pre production tanks fired more than 100 rounds from the same barrel in a day. Life of barrel of Arjun MBT is twice that of T-90S, estimate equivalent in Effective Full Charge (EFC) of 500.
Protection Performance
Protection of MBT Arjun against FSAPDS and HESH ammunitions has been demonstrated. In January 2000 at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore, Arjun tank armor defeated all available HESH and FSAPDS rounds including Israeli FSAPDS rounds. ERA is effective only against HEAT ammunition and not FSAPDS which is the primary threat to a battle tank. Arjun Tank has ERA protection as add on feature, while T-90S has it as a regular feature. A tank with ERA has a weight penalty.
Outcome
Indian Army has not expressed the purpose of this exercise. It can be various reasons like a genuine requirement of validating its GSQR which resulted in creation of a heavy tank or the Indian Army internal rivalry or the pressure from the import lobby to kill the indigenous Arjun MBT project. It will be the test of Indian Army�s own integrity as Arjun MBT was made as per the Indian Army General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR), tested by Indian Army and approved for production by Indian Army.
for charts and analysis do visit the link below
Dissimilar Combat: Arjun MBT Vs T-90S specs | Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion
June 2007 will see the Indian Army pitching Arjun MBT against T-90S and T-72 for a dissimilar combat. Whatever the reason for the exercise, Indian Army is on record stating that, the Arjun MBT production will be decided by outcome of this event. Frontier India Defence and Strategic News Service (FIDSNS) have collated the features of Arjun MBT and T-90S for the reader�s judgment of the capabilities of the tank. T-72 M1 specifications have not been added as T-90S is an advanced version of T-72 M1 which Indian Army operates. The two tanks have similar features in most of the mobility features and T-90S has add-on enhancements in terms of firepower and protection.
limate. Both Arjun MBT and T-90S can be transported to Indian border areas by rail throughout the National Broad Gauge network.
Mobility performance
Arjun MBT�s Hydro Pneumatic Suspension system provides a stable weapon platform which enhances the fire on move capability and excellent riding comfort during cross country move. The Indian borders in north and west are very rugged. Arjun MBT has less Nominal Ground Pressure (NGP) compared to T-90S. Arjun MBT has better acceleration and maximum road speed due to high peak torque output of the engine coupled with fully automatic transmission not withstanding �slightly� lower power to weight ratio. Automatic transmission provides neutral turn capability which adds to the maneuverability during shoot and scoot. Arjun MBT features Auxiliary Power Units (APU) which T-90S does not have. APU�s provide continuous operation in silent watch mode. It also saves main engine life. Rubberized double pin tracks provide increased life, reduced track noise and better maintainability. Arjun MBT�s mission reliability has been proved with 500 kms being covered in 48 hours. Arjun MBT successfully crossed the RAVI River at Lassian without support systems due to lower ground pressure. Trench crossing capability of Arjun MBT is on par with T-90S as Arjun MBT has seven bogie stations compared to six bogie stations of T-90S.
Fire Power Performance
Firing performance of Arjun MBT is superior to T-90S in terms of accuracy (both static and dynamic situations) due to gun ammunition combination and high order of weapon stabilization coupled with auto collimated MRS. Auto collimated MRS compensates for the barrel bend. Firing performance of Arjun MBT and T-90S is same in terms of defeat capability and rate of firing. Two axis stabilized commander�s panoramic sight integrated with gunners main sight provides �hunter killer� capability both in static as dynamic mode (moving to moving mode). Higher order of stabilization accuracy enables accurate fire on the move at a moving target while maintaining the stipulated fire rate. The commander of Arjun MBT can engage targets in case of emergency, capable of firing at various slopes and tilt angles. First round hits probability has been demonstrated for MBT Arjun on a 1 mil target and greater than 60% hit percentage when firing from a moving Arjun tank to a moving target, both at 25 km/h.
LAHAT (semi automatic homing) Missile firing from Arjun MBT has been already demonstrated using a stand alone Laser Target Designator (LTD). This designator can be integrated into Gunner�s Main Sight (GMS). T-90S can fire Laser bean riding missile..
Arjun MBT armament system including gun barrel has been proved to be robust and reliable No case of barrel burst was reported even after firing 10000 rounds. The Arjun MBT prototypes and pre production tanks fired more than 100 rounds from the same barrel in a day. Life of barrel of Arjun MBT is twice that of T-90S, estimate equivalent in Effective Full Charge (EFC) of 500.
Protection Performance
Protection of MBT Arjun against FSAPDS and HESH ammunitions has been demonstrated. In January 2000 at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore, Arjun tank armor defeated all available HESH and FSAPDS rounds including Israeli FSAPDS rounds. ERA is effective only against HEAT ammunition and not FSAPDS which is the primary threat to a battle tank. Arjun Tank has ERA protection as add on feature, while T-90S has it as a regular feature. A tank with ERA has a weight penalty.
Outcome
Indian Army has not expressed the purpose of this exercise. It can be various reasons like a genuine requirement of validating its GSQR which resulted in creation of a heavy tank or the Indian Army internal rivalry or the pressure from the import lobby to kill the indigenous Arjun MBT project. It will be the test of Indian Army�s own integrity as Arjun MBT was made as per the Indian Army General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR), tested by Indian Army and approved for production by Indian Army.
for charts and analysis do visit the link below
Dissimilar Combat: Arjun MBT Vs T-90S specs | Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2009
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India Today - India's most widely read magazine.
All dressed up and no takers
Sandeep Unnithan
September 5, 2008
Space is at a premium at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi on the outskirts of Chennai. But these are no ordinary motor cars which need parking. Rows of battle tanks lie jammed, spilling out of the factory premises. Parking a monster that is the size of a city bus but at 60 tonne weighs heavier than a railway coach, is no easy task.
Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) officials have asked for parking space at the nearby Combat Vehicles R&D Establishment (CVRDE) that designed the tank, even as they worry about sheltering their monsters and its electronics from the elements.
In the past four years, over 90 Arjun main battle tanks have rolled off the production line that made India's first indigenous tank-part of an order for 124 tanks that was placed six years ago.
In late August this year, the army completed nearly a year of what it calls Accelerated User Cum Reliability Trials (AUCRT) and somewhat unprecedented, extended trials in the desert of Rajasthan.
Trials that tested the three characteristics of any battle tank-firepower, mobility and protection. From all accounts the tank finally morphed from a white elephant into an extreme battle machine worthy of its moniker.
So far 15 Pre-Production Series (PPS) tanks have completed a cumulative 80,000 km, or the equivalent of two trips around the world, and fired over 8,000 rounds.
The Arjun tankTwo tanks covering over 6,000 km or nearly twice the distance they are supposed to cover in 10 years. Now, the army is poring over the trial reports to decide whether the crowded tank lot at Avadi will equip at least three of the army's 61 armoured regiments.
There's just a catch. The army has pronounced its verdict. It wants more tanks-armoured fists that are used to punch through enemy lines and an essential component of its Cold Start battle strategy-but it does not want the Arjun.
Speaking at a recent CII seminar on the Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT), Lt General Dalip Bharadwaj, director general, Mechanised Forces said the army will not place orders for Arjun beyond the 124 already on order because it is "now looking 20 years ahead and wants a futuristic MBT".
His predecessor, Lt General (retd.) K.D.S. Shekhawat is blunter. "The DRDO does not want to own up, the Arjun is based on the German Army's Leopard-1 design which entered service in the mid-1960s. It outlived its life over a decade ago.
Today, every tank in the world, including the Leopard-2 and T-90, have sloped turrets (to reduce the impact of a hit) but the Arjun still continues with the rectangular turret."
The DRDO is combative and not only because the project is the baby of the current chief M. Natarajan. "The Arjun can handle all present and future threats," says the DRDO.
This war of words between the army and DRDO could well be among the penultimate chapters in the long sad story of a saga that began with the army placing General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) for an indigenous tank in May 1974.
The project was to cost Rs 15.50 crore and to be completed in a decade. The first production model of 'Chetak', as it was then called, which rolled out in 1984, was wisely renamed the Arjun.
Plagued by technical glitches—its European electronics did not work in the searing circuit—melting 50 degree heat of the Thar desert-the final production series tank was not delivered until 1995 or a decade after the original deadline.
Arjun tanks at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in ChennaiPerhaps the DRDO strategically overreached itself on this project as it had on several others. It agreed to deliver everything on the tank when it should have gone in for a no-frills Mark 1. This was clearly not the case when the tank was due for induction into service by an already extended deadline of 1995 and an exasperated army did not get its tanks.
The army, which has around 3,500 tanks in 61 armoured regiments—each with 45 tanks, mostly T-72s imported and licence-produced from Russia in the early '80s serving as first line MBTs-has this complaint. The Arjun did not come on time.
Not even when the acquisition of 300 Ukranian missile-firing T-80s UD MBTs by Pakistan in 1997 dangerously tilted the balance of armoured power on the subcontinent. (Tanks can only be used on the deserts and plains of India's western borders).
Even during Operation Parakram, the near-war with Pakistan in December 2001, the army found its T-72s, obsolete T-55s and Vijayantas staring down the gunsights of the more modern T-80s. There was no sign of the Arjun.
Delays in productionising the design ensured the order for 124 tanks was not placed to the OFB until 2002 and production did not begin until 2004 or nearly three decades after the project had been conceived. "The Arjun was not available when we needed it," says a senior army official.
The army was hence forced to import 310, T-90 tanks from Russia in 2001 to sharpen the tip of its armoured spear. The door had begun to close on the Arjun which was still jumping through the hoops of the army's trials.
Even as the tank struggled to meet GSQRs, the army would add new demands citing delays and changes in the global scenario. "The army's GSQR was always a moving goal post," says a DRDO-armoured vehicle scientist. "You cannot have a tank with the best-of-the-world-systems."
Yet the Arjun managed to do this and more. Some of the state-of-the-art technologies incorporated in the tank include a modern fire control system with Fire Control Computer and multiple rocket system-which gives it the ability to blast targets placed over a km away while on the move, a gas-based suspension, a unique 'Kanchan' composite armour capable of withstanding direct hits from T-72 and T-90 tanks , lethally accurate fin-stabilised armour piercing discarding sabot ammunition and kinetic energy penetrators which can shatter enemy tanks, Nuclear-Biological-Chemical protection not to speak of the ability of the 60-tonne monster to spin full circle on a coin in 12 seconds.
During the desert trials which concluded last week the tanks also rectified two problems raised by Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor during a visit to the CVRDE in May-premature failure of engine transmission and gun accuracy.
However, it finds that the army has shifted the goal posts again. This time, to over the horizon. "Arjun is a contemporary tank and may be used in the next decade or so, but not for next generation warfare some two decades hence," says Bharadwaj.
In the meantime, the army has gone ahead and ordered an additional 330 T-90 tank kits and another 1,000 T-90s from Russia to be assembled at the HVF, Avadi, a deal that actually saved Russia's largest tank manufacturer, Ural Vagon Zavod from shutdown.
By 2020, the army hopes to field a force of over 21 regiments of T-90 tanks and 40 regiments of modified T-72s. The DRDO has been arguing for a slice of the pie-a mix of heavy tanks including the Arjun and medium tanks like the T-72 and T-90.
But the army is not convinced. It has rejected the DRDO's offer of Arjun Mark-2-featuring uprated engines, digital fire control and a battlefield management system with the ability to 'talk' to other assets, which it claims it can field in five years.
The army insists it wants nothing short of a futuristic tank. Yet, despite repeated reminders over the past two years, the army is yet to even furnish the DRDO its requirements.
Has the door been closed on Arjun? Not just yet. Senior Defence Ministry officials have indicated an order for a second batch of modified 124 Arjun tanks as a face-saver for the DRDO and that would be the end of the programme. "After that we want the DRDO to focus on building the FMBT."
continued in next post
All dressed up and no takers
Sandeep Unnithan
September 5, 2008
Space is at a premium at the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) in Avadi on the outskirts of Chennai. But these are no ordinary motor cars which need parking. Rows of battle tanks lie jammed, spilling out of the factory premises. Parking a monster that is the size of a city bus but at 60 tonne weighs heavier than a railway coach, is no easy task.
Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) officials have asked for parking space at the nearby Combat Vehicles R&D Establishment (CVRDE) that designed the tank, even as they worry about sheltering their monsters and its electronics from the elements.
In the past four years, over 90 Arjun main battle tanks have rolled off the production line that made India's first indigenous tank-part of an order for 124 tanks that was placed six years ago.
In late August this year, the army completed nearly a year of what it calls Accelerated User Cum Reliability Trials (AUCRT) and somewhat unprecedented, extended trials in the desert of Rajasthan.
Trials that tested the three characteristics of any battle tank-firepower, mobility and protection. From all accounts the tank finally morphed from a white elephant into an extreme battle machine worthy of its moniker.
So far 15 Pre-Production Series (PPS) tanks have completed a cumulative 80,000 km, or the equivalent of two trips around the world, and fired over 8,000 rounds.
The Arjun tankTwo tanks covering over 6,000 km or nearly twice the distance they are supposed to cover in 10 years. Now, the army is poring over the trial reports to decide whether the crowded tank lot at Avadi will equip at least three of the army's 61 armoured regiments.
There's just a catch. The army has pronounced its verdict. It wants more tanks-armoured fists that are used to punch through enemy lines and an essential component of its Cold Start battle strategy-but it does not want the Arjun.
Speaking at a recent CII seminar on the Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT), Lt General Dalip Bharadwaj, director general, Mechanised Forces said the army will not place orders for Arjun beyond the 124 already on order because it is "now looking 20 years ahead and wants a futuristic MBT".
His predecessor, Lt General (retd.) K.D.S. Shekhawat is blunter. "The DRDO does not want to own up, the Arjun is based on the German Army's Leopard-1 design which entered service in the mid-1960s. It outlived its life over a decade ago.
Today, every tank in the world, including the Leopard-2 and T-90, have sloped turrets (to reduce the impact of a hit) but the Arjun still continues with the rectangular turret."
The DRDO is combative and not only because the project is the baby of the current chief M. Natarajan. "The Arjun can handle all present and future threats," says the DRDO.
This war of words between the army and DRDO could well be among the penultimate chapters in the long sad story of a saga that began with the army placing General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR) for an indigenous tank in May 1974.
The project was to cost Rs 15.50 crore and to be completed in a decade. The first production model of 'Chetak', as it was then called, which rolled out in 1984, was wisely renamed the Arjun.
Plagued by technical glitches—its European electronics did not work in the searing circuit—melting 50 degree heat of the Thar desert-the final production series tank was not delivered until 1995 or a decade after the original deadline.
Arjun tanks at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in ChennaiPerhaps the DRDO strategically overreached itself on this project as it had on several others. It agreed to deliver everything on the tank when it should have gone in for a no-frills Mark 1. This was clearly not the case when the tank was due for induction into service by an already extended deadline of 1995 and an exasperated army did not get its tanks.
The army, which has around 3,500 tanks in 61 armoured regiments—each with 45 tanks, mostly T-72s imported and licence-produced from Russia in the early '80s serving as first line MBTs-has this complaint. The Arjun did not come on time.
Not even when the acquisition of 300 Ukranian missile-firing T-80s UD MBTs by Pakistan in 1997 dangerously tilted the balance of armoured power on the subcontinent. (Tanks can only be used on the deserts and plains of India's western borders).
Even during Operation Parakram, the near-war with Pakistan in December 2001, the army found its T-72s, obsolete T-55s and Vijayantas staring down the gunsights of the more modern T-80s. There was no sign of the Arjun.
Delays in productionising the design ensured the order for 124 tanks was not placed to the OFB until 2002 and production did not begin until 2004 or nearly three decades after the project had been conceived. "The Arjun was not available when we needed it," says a senior army official.
The army was hence forced to import 310, T-90 tanks from Russia in 2001 to sharpen the tip of its armoured spear. The door had begun to close on the Arjun which was still jumping through the hoops of the army's trials.
Even as the tank struggled to meet GSQRs, the army would add new demands citing delays and changes in the global scenario. "The army's GSQR was always a moving goal post," says a DRDO-armoured vehicle scientist. "You cannot have a tank with the best-of-the-world-systems."
Yet the Arjun managed to do this and more. Some of the state-of-the-art technologies incorporated in the tank include a modern fire control system with Fire Control Computer and multiple rocket system-which gives it the ability to blast targets placed over a km away while on the move, a gas-based suspension, a unique 'Kanchan' composite armour capable of withstanding direct hits from T-72 and T-90 tanks , lethally accurate fin-stabilised armour piercing discarding sabot ammunition and kinetic energy penetrators which can shatter enemy tanks, Nuclear-Biological-Chemical protection not to speak of the ability of the 60-tonne monster to spin full circle on a coin in 12 seconds.
During the desert trials which concluded last week the tanks also rectified two problems raised by Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor during a visit to the CVRDE in May-premature failure of engine transmission and gun accuracy.
However, it finds that the army has shifted the goal posts again. This time, to over the horizon. "Arjun is a contemporary tank and may be used in the next decade or so, but not for next generation warfare some two decades hence," says Bharadwaj.
In the meantime, the army has gone ahead and ordered an additional 330 T-90 tank kits and another 1,000 T-90s from Russia to be assembled at the HVF, Avadi, a deal that actually saved Russia's largest tank manufacturer, Ural Vagon Zavod from shutdown.
By 2020, the army hopes to field a force of over 21 regiments of T-90 tanks and 40 regiments of modified T-72s. The DRDO has been arguing for a slice of the pie-a mix of heavy tanks including the Arjun and medium tanks like the T-72 and T-90.
But the army is not convinced. It has rejected the DRDO's offer of Arjun Mark-2-featuring uprated engines, digital fire control and a battlefield management system with the ability to 'talk' to other assets, which it claims it can field in five years.
The army insists it wants nothing short of a futuristic tank. Yet, despite repeated reminders over the past two years, the army is yet to even furnish the DRDO its requirements.
Has the door been closed on Arjun? Not just yet. Senior Defence Ministry officials have indicated an order for a second batch of modified 124 Arjun tanks as a face-saver for the DRDO and that would be the end of the programme. "After that we want the DRDO to focus on building the FMBT."
continued in next post
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from previous post
The army will buy over 1,600 T-90s in 12 yearsThe DRDO which says it needs an order of at least 376 more tanks to breakeven on the project investments of around Rs 370 crore is now scrambling to integrate Arjun-2 features on the promised second batch.
The DRDO is also pressing for comparative trials of the Arjun with the T-90 known as the 'Bhishma' in the army, in Rajasthan later this year. It is a desperate rearguard action where the agency hopes to repeat mythology, but this is a contest the army is keen to avoid. "It's just a ploy to fool the bureaucrats," snarls a senior army official.
The army concedes that the Arjun programme was a learning experience—on how not to execute a project and the necessity for closer user-interface. "As users we did not get adequately involved in the project as say the navy does," says Shekhawat. "Army officers posted on the project reported to the DRDO and not to army HQ. In the end, the DRDO did not get honest advice," he says.
The battle over the Arjun is not just about a tank. It is about the shaky but obligatory path of building of indigenous defence capability. Why for instance, India's stunning success in the space industry has not translated into defence industry?
These are matters which transcend the bean counters at service headquarters into the realm of higher national strategic planning. India already has the dubious distinction of being the world's second largest importer of defence items, abjectly dependent on foreign suppliers who sit on the UN Security Council, where it aspires to be-to supply basics like tanks and fighter aircraft.
There are some answers under the hood of the Arjun—only the third complete defence system produced indigenously after the Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile and the Pinaka rocket system.
A raft of systems made indigenously talks about the tremendous force-multiplier effect of this programme. Its gearbox is common with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and indigenous gas-based suspension compares with the best in the world.
Sure, nearly 60 per cent of the components of the first batch of 124 tanks, including the German-built power pack are imported. The DRDO says these will be reduced to under 30 per cent after it builds 500 tanks.
"We are not ashamed of the delays but ashamed of the fact that we cannot sell it within our own country," says a senior DRDO scientist. An Arjun with no takers in India. That would be a tragedy of epic proportions.
Why the Arjun is grounded
Army’s view
Arjun is horribly late. Should have been inducted a decade ago when Pakistan began inducting T-80s.
Requirements changed because DRDO took time to deliver first batch of tanks.
Tank is good but relevant only for 10-15 years. We want future tanks.
Don’t want Arjun-2. Are importing over 1,600 T-90 tanks from Russia.
DRDO should work on Future MBT design for the army
DRDO view
Development cycle and delays in productionising the tank at OFB. Army kept changing requirements.
Army always wanted ‘best in the world’ systems and we had to satisfy them.
Order 376 more Arjuns, we’ll give you a more sophisticated Arjun-2.
Take the T-90s but also order 500 indigenous Arjuns.
Army yet to give us FMBT design for two years now.
Arjun numbers
* Cost per tank: Rs 17 Cr
* Tanks produced: 90
* Present order size: 124
* Total investment by DRDO: Rs 300 Cr
* Number of tanks needed to break even: 500
* Number of new Arjuns mod plans to order: 124
The army will buy over 1,600 T-90s in 12 yearsThe DRDO which says it needs an order of at least 376 more tanks to breakeven on the project investments of around Rs 370 crore is now scrambling to integrate Arjun-2 features on the promised second batch.
The DRDO is also pressing for comparative trials of the Arjun with the T-90 known as the 'Bhishma' in the army, in Rajasthan later this year. It is a desperate rearguard action where the agency hopes to repeat mythology, but this is a contest the army is keen to avoid. "It's just a ploy to fool the bureaucrats," snarls a senior army official.
The army concedes that the Arjun programme was a learning experience—on how not to execute a project and the necessity for closer user-interface. "As users we did not get adequately involved in the project as say the navy does," says Shekhawat. "Army officers posted on the project reported to the DRDO and not to army HQ. In the end, the DRDO did not get honest advice," he says.
The battle over the Arjun is not just about a tank. It is about the shaky but obligatory path of building of indigenous defence capability. Why for instance, India's stunning success in the space industry has not translated into defence industry?
These are matters which transcend the bean counters at service headquarters into the realm of higher national strategic planning. India already has the dubious distinction of being the world's second largest importer of defence items, abjectly dependent on foreign suppliers who sit on the UN Security Council, where it aspires to be-to supply basics like tanks and fighter aircraft.
There are some answers under the hood of the Arjun—only the third complete defence system produced indigenously after the Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile and the Pinaka rocket system.
A raft of systems made indigenously talks about the tremendous force-multiplier effect of this programme. Its gearbox is common with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft and indigenous gas-based suspension compares with the best in the world.
Sure, nearly 60 per cent of the components of the first batch of 124 tanks, including the German-built power pack are imported. The DRDO says these will be reduced to under 30 per cent after it builds 500 tanks.
"We are not ashamed of the delays but ashamed of the fact that we cannot sell it within our own country," says a senior DRDO scientist. An Arjun with no takers in India. That would be a tragedy of epic proportions.
Why the Arjun is grounded
Army’s view
Arjun is horribly late. Should have been inducted a decade ago when Pakistan began inducting T-80s.
Requirements changed because DRDO took time to deliver first batch of tanks.
Tank is good but relevant only for 10-15 years. We want future tanks.
Don’t want Arjun-2. Are importing over 1,600 T-90 tanks from Russia.
DRDO should work on Future MBT design for the army
DRDO view
Development cycle and delays in productionising the tank at OFB. Army kept changing requirements.
Army always wanted ‘best in the world’ systems and we had to satisfy them.
Order 376 more Arjuns, we’ll give you a more sophisticated Arjun-2.
Take the T-90s but also order 500 indigenous Arjuns.
Army yet to give us FMBT design for two years now.
Arjun numbers
* Cost per tank: Rs 17 Cr
* Tanks produced: 90
* Present order size: 124
* Total investment by DRDO: Rs 300 Cr
* Number of tanks needed to break even: 500
* Number of new Arjuns mod plans to order: 124
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A big U turn from Mid Level technology.
Arjun tank gets vote of support from Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor
New Delhi, Feb 19: In a reversal of the Indian Army's stand on the indigenous main battle tank (MBT) Arjun, which has been 37 years in the making, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor has written to the Defence Ministry appreciating the tank's performance.
The Army Chief's letter has come months before the MBT Arjun, which India has been trying to manufacture indigenously for more than three decades, is headed for head-to-head 'comparative trials' with the Russian T-90 tanks that the Army currently operates.
"The Army Chief for the first time has appreciated Arjun tank for performing well. In a letter written earlier this year he said that the tank was subjected to the most strenuous of tests and it performed 'admirably well'," a defence ministry official told reporters on the condition of anonymity.
The letter from the Army Chief came after last year's winter trials of the tank, which has already cost the exchequer Rs.3.5 billion ($71.7 million). The stand is a complete u-turn as the army had made it clear that it would buy no more than the 124 Arjuns it has contracted for because it is unhappy with the tank on various counts.
The Defence Research & Development Organisation's (DRDO) demand for the comparative trials of the two tanks is being seen as a desperate bid to save the Arjun as it would need to manufacture at least 500 tanks to make the project feasible.
"The Defence Ministry had been pushing for the joint trials for the past one-and-a-half-years but people in the military set up were not too keen," the official added.
A reluctant Army had also said that the Arjun can at best remain in service for five to 10 years while it is looking 20 years ahead and needs a futuristic MBT.
However, the Defence Ministry, which has been putting thrust on the indigenisation of the defence industry, wanted to see the project through.
On Feb 11, Defence Minister A.K. Antony had expressed his happiness on the Arjun tank becoming "a reality". "We have seen light at the end of the tunnel," Antony had said speaking of the project.
The tank has been mired in controversy with the army last year having told a key parliamentary panel that the Arjun failed to deliver at the winter trials conducted in the Rajasthan desert in 2007. The army said that many improvements would have to be carried out before it was satisfied with the tank.
Adding fuel to the proverbial fire, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh hinted at the possibility of "sabotage" during the 2007 winter trials.
The Indian Army laid down its qualitative requirement (QR) for the Arjun in 1972. In 1982, it was announced that the prototype was ready for field trials. However, the tank was publicly unveiled for the first time only in 1995.
Arjun was originally meant to be a 40-tonne tank with a 105 mm gun. It has now grown to a 50-tonne tank with a 120 mm gun. The tank was meant to supplement and eventually replace the Soviet-era T-72 MBT that was first inducted in the early 1980s.
However, delays in the Arjun project and Pakistan's decision to purchase the T-80 from Ukraine prompted India to order 310 T-90s, an upgraded version of the T-72, in 2001.
IANS
Deepak Kapoor supports Arjun tank
Arjun tank gets vote of support from Indian Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor
New Delhi, Feb 19: In a reversal of the Indian Army's stand on the indigenous main battle tank (MBT) Arjun, which has been 37 years in the making, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor has written to the Defence Ministry appreciating the tank's performance.
The Army Chief's letter has come months before the MBT Arjun, which India has been trying to manufacture indigenously for more than three decades, is headed for head-to-head 'comparative trials' with the Russian T-90 tanks that the Army currently operates.
"The Army Chief for the first time has appreciated Arjun tank for performing well. In a letter written earlier this year he said that the tank was subjected to the most strenuous of tests and it performed 'admirably well'," a defence ministry official told reporters on the condition of anonymity.
The letter from the Army Chief came after last year's winter trials of the tank, which has already cost the exchequer Rs.3.5 billion ($71.7 million). The stand is a complete u-turn as the army had made it clear that it would buy no more than the 124 Arjuns it has contracted for because it is unhappy with the tank on various counts.
The Defence Research & Development Organisation's (DRDO) demand for the comparative trials of the two tanks is being seen as a desperate bid to save the Arjun as it would need to manufacture at least 500 tanks to make the project feasible.
"The Defence Ministry had been pushing for the joint trials for the past one-and-a-half-years but people in the military set up were not too keen," the official added.
A reluctant Army had also said that the Arjun can at best remain in service for five to 10 years while it is looking 20 years ahead and needs a futuristic MBT.
However, the Defence Ministry, which has been putting thrust on the indigenisation of the defence industry, wanted to see the project through.
On Feb 11, Defence Minister A.K. Antony had expressed his happiness on the Arjun tank becoming "a reality". "We have seen light at the end of the tunnel," Antony had said speaking of the project.
The tank has been mired in controversy with the army last year having told a key parliamentary panel that the Arjun failed to deliver at the winter trials conducted in the Rajasthan desert in 2007. The army said that many improvements would have to be carried out before it was satisfied with the tank.
Adding fuel to the proverbial fire, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh hinted at the possibility of "sabotage" during the 2007 winter trials.
The Indian Army laid down its qualitative requirement (QR) for the Arjun in 1972. In 1982, it was announced that the prototype was ready for field trials. However, the tank was publicly unveiled for the first time only in 1995.
Arjun was originally meant to be a 40-tonne tank with a 105 mm gun. It has now grown to a 50-tonne tank with a 120 mm gun. The tank was meant to supplement and eventually replace the Soviet-era T-72 MBT that was first inducted in the early 1980s.
However, delays in the Arjun project and Pakistan's decision to purchase the T-80 from Ukraine prompted India to order 310 T-90s, an upgraded version of the T-72, in 2001.
IANS
Deepak Kapoor supports Arjun tank
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http://www.indianexpress.com/news/bornagain-arjun-raring-for-battlefield/429417/1
Born-again Arjun raring for battlefield
Kartyk Venkatraman Posted: Mar 01, 2009 at 0521 hrs IST
Chandipur-on-sea(Orissa): The much-derided tank has been fitted with new features and has come out with flying colours during trials
At a firing point of the Defence Research & Development Organisation’s (DRDO) 114-year-old Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) — a strip of secluded beach in Chandipur — the Nakul tank with the MBT Arjun’s turret and the Russian T-72’s chassis readies to fire its 120-mm cannon to test target-grouping and ammunition. Several thundering rounds later, DRDO scientists are back in the lab to analyse. The result: satisfactory.
Envisioned as India’s first indigenous Main Battle Tank (MBT) in 1972 following the ‘71 Indo-Pak war, Arjun has been in the line of fire for under-performance from the Army over the past decade. Now, scientists at the proof-testing PXE in Chandipur and main developer Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi, Tamil Nadu are upbeat about Arjun’s performance before it takes on the Russian T-90 in comparative trials this summer.
Maj Gen Anup Malhotra, director, PXE, said much of the “teething troubles” of the Arjun have been overcome. “Over the past year, we have been testing the barrel, recoil and breech of the Arjun’s firing mechanism, as well as the ammunition. Between 60-70 barrels have been tested here. The tests are satisfactory, and we will be sending the results to the CVRDE, which is developing the tank. If the Army has objected in the past on certain aspects, they are correct in doing so. If they want to evaluate, it is a good sign. Better now than in battle,” Malhotra said.
CVRDE associate director R Jayakumar said the only common feature between Nakul and the current version of the Arjun is the barrel. “The rest of the turret has been revamped, including the gun control and fire control. Also, as a proactive measure, we will incorporate 12 futuristic technology systems include automatic target tracking, defensive aids, laser warning, tank simulator systems and also automate target tracking,” Jayakumar told The Indian Express.
DRDO officials say the upcoming comparative trials would decide the operational role of the Arjun, such as “strike” and “shock-and-awe”. The T-90 weighs less than 50 tonnes, while the Arjun weighs 58.5 tonnes and is comparable to the American M1A1 Abrams (67 tons), British Challenger (65), German Leopard (68) and Israeli Merkava (67). “We prefer to compare apples with apples, not apples with oranges,” Jayakumar says.
Claiming to have overcome problems including engine trouble and overheating, the DRDO wants to bid for more orders for Arjun from the Army, and is expecting new requirements from the Army. For comparative trials, tentatively scheduled in May, the CVRDE will be sending a full squadron (20) of tanks.
The Army had said after the 2007 winter trials that the Arjun had “failed” in several parameters. Following trials in 2008 summer, the Army’s evaluation of the Arjun has changed, says Jayakumar. “The tanks covered 8,000 km and over 800 rounds were fired during the latest trials without any hitches.”
“It is a misconception that the Arjun has overshot its budget. Till November 1985, only Rs 15 crore were allocated for competence-building and technology. Based on the results, the project was sanctioned that year and an additional Rs 305 crore were allocated. In March 2000, we got the go-ahead to begin production and delivered 15 prototypes for evaluation,” Jayakumar says.
Malhotra adds initial order of 124 Arjuns should not be seen as a cap on acquisition. “The comparative trials would dictate the number of Arjun tanks acquired by the Army in the future.”
The Army continues to be guarded on the issue. “We’re neither categorically accepting or rejecting the Arjun MBT. Any comment will be made after the trials this summer,” said Group Captain R K Das, CPRO (MoD) Kolkata.
Born-again Arjun raring for battlefield
Kartyk Venkatraman Posted: Mar 01, 2009 at 0521 hrs IST
Chandipur-on-sea(Orissa): The much-derided tank has been fitted with new features and has come out with flying colours during trials
At a firing point of the Defence Research & Development Organisation’s (DRDO) 114-year-old Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) — a strip of secluded beach in Chandipur — the Nakul tank with the MBT Arjun’s turret and the Russian T-72’s chassis readies to fire its 120-mm cannon to test target-grouping and ammunition. Several thundering rounds later, DRDO scientists are back in the lab to analyse. The result: satisfactory.
Envisioned as India’s first indigenous Main Battle Tank (MBT) in 1972 following the ‘71 Indo-Pak war, Arjun has been in the line of fire for under-performance from the Army over the past decade. Now, scientists at the proof-testing PXE in Chandipur and main developer Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi, Tamil Nadu are upbeat about Arjun’s performance before it takes on the Russian T-90 in comparative trials this summer.
Maj Gen Anup Malhotra, director, PXE, said much of the “teething troubles” of the Arjun have been overcome. “Over the past year, we have been testing the barrel, recoil and breech of the Arjun’s firing mechanism, as well as the ammunition. Between 60-70 barrels have been tested here. The tests are satisfactory, and we will be sending the results to the CVRDE, which is developing the tank. If the Army has objected in the past on certain aspects, they are correct in doing so. If they want to evaluate, it is a good sign. Better now than in battle,” Malhotra said.
CVRDE associate director R Jayakumar said the only common feature between Nakul and the current version of the Arjun is the barrel. “The rest of the turret has been revamped, including the gun control and fire control. Also, as a proactive measure, we will incorporate 12 futuristic technology systems include automatic target tracking, defensive aids, laser warning, tank simulator systems and also automate target tracking,” Jayakumar told The Indian Express.
DRDO officials say the upcoming comparative trials would decide the operational role of the Arjun, such as “strike” and “shock-and-awe”. The T-90 weighs less than 50 tonnes, while the Arjun weighs 58.5 tonnes and is comparable to the American M1A1 Abrams (67 tons), British Challenger (65), German Leopard (68) and Israeli Merkava (67). “We prefer to compare apples with apples, not apples with oranges,” Jayakumar says.
Claiming to have overcome problems including engine trouble and overheating, the DRDO wants to bid for more orders for Arjun from the Army, and is expecting new requirements from the Army. For comparative trials, tentatively scheduled in May, the CVRDE will be sending a full squadron (20) of tanks.
The Army had said after the 2007 winter trials that the Arjun had “failed” in several parameters. Following trials in 2008 summer, the Army’s evaluation of the Arjun has changed, says Jayakumar. “The tanks covered 8,000 km and over 800 rounds were fired during the latest trials without any hitches.”
“It is a misconception that the Arjun has overshot its budget. Till November 1985, only Rs 15 crore were allocated for competence-building and technology. Based on the results, the project was sanctioned that year and an additional Rs 305 crore were allocated. In March 2000, we got the go-ahead to begin production and delivered 15 prototypes for evaluation,” Jayakumar says.
Malhotra adds initial order of 124 Arjuns should not be seen as a cap on acquisition. “The comparative trials would dictate the number of Arjun tanks acquired by the Army in the future.”
The Army continues to be guarded on the issue. “We’re neither categorically accepting or rejecting the Arjun MBT. Any comment will be made after the trials this summer,” said Group Captain R K Das, CPRO (MoD) Kolkata.
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http://www.indianexpress.com/news/what-went-wrong-with-lca-arjun-tank-akash-missile/429935/1
Arjun Main Battle Tank
StatuS: The original requirements were drawn up by the Army in 1972. The Army has placed orders for 124 tanks but these are still undergoing trials. The committee says while two changes in requirements by the Army in 1982 and 1985 contributed to the delay, the main reason was “over-optimism” of “inexperienced” developers who under-estimated the time needed for making weapon systems.
Pulling up the DRDO for the inordinate delay, the committee says:
•Too much time and effort spent in developing engine for tank without meeting success.
•DRDO looked at outsourcing turret control systems only in mid-’80s after failing to develop it in-house.
•DRDO did not hand over blueprints and specifications to the manufacturing facility on time.
•Tank suffered from poor product quality and sub-optimal performance during development, testing and production stage.
Way Ahead
•DRDO should immediately start work on a Mk II version of the tank to meet the Army’s requirements.
•Advanced version to be built on a joint development model and foreign collaborators should be roped in to gain expertise.
•DRDO needs to work on indigenisation of engine, turret and sight and fire control system that it has completely failed to develop.
Arjun Main Battle Tank
StatuS: The original requirements were drawn up by the Army in 1972. The Army has placed orders for 124 tanks but these are still undergoing trials. The committee says while two changes in requirements by the Army in 1982 and 1985 contributed to the delay, the main reason was “over-optimism” of “inexperienced” developers who under-estimated the time needed for making weapon systems.
Pulling up the DRDO for the inordinate delay, the committee says:
•Too much time and effort spent in developing engine for tank without meeting success.
•DRDO looked at outsourcing turret control systems only in mid-’80s after failing to develop it in-house.
•DRDO did not hand over blueprints and specifications to the manufacturing facility on time.
•Tank suffered from poor product quality and sub-optimal performance during development, testing and production stage.
Way Ahead
•DRDO should immediately start work on a Mk II version of the tank to meet the Army’s requirements.
•Advanced version to be built on a joint development model and foreign collaborators should be roped in to gain expertise.
•DRDO needs to work on indigenisation of engine, turret and sight and fire control system that it has completely failed to develop.
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http://livefist.blogspot.com/2009/03/mbt-arjuns-new-defensive-aid-system.html
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
MBT Arjun's new Defensive Aid System ready for tests
The DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi, has taken up the development of a Defensive Aids System for armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) to enhance the survivability of tanks against anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) threats and to reduce the probability of detection by target acquisition systems.
Under this project, two major systems -- an Advanced Laser Warning and Countermeasure System (ALWCS) and Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) are being developed. MCS is to provide multispectral signature management of the vehicle to reduce the vehicle signature against all known sensors and smart munitions. MCS system has been developed in collaboration with Barracuda Camouflage Ltd, Gurgaon. The system has been integrated on MBT Arjun and the performance evaluation trials have been successfully completed. The methodology and the technologies can be adopted for any AFV platform. ALWCS system comprises laser warning system, IR jammer, and aerosol smoke grenade system. This is being developed jointly with Elbit Systems Ltd, Israel. The system will be integrated on MBT Arjun and performance evaluation trials are expected during summer 2009.
Text & Illustration by DRDO
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
MBT Arjun's new Defensive Aid System ready for tests
The DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi, has taken up the development of a Defensive Aids System for armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) to enhance the survivability of tanks against anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) threats and to reduce the probability of detection by target acquisition systems.
Under this project, two major systems -- an Advanced Laser Warning and Countermeasure System (ALWCS) and Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) are being developed. MCS is to provide multispectral signature management of the vehicle to reduce the vehicle signature against all known sensors and smart munitions. MCS system has been developed in collaboration with Barracuda Camouflage Ltd, Gurgaon. The system has been integrated on MBT Arjun and the performance evaluation trials have been successfully completed. The methodology and the technologies can be adopted for any AFV platform. ALWCS system comprises laser warning system, IR jammer, and aerosol smoke grenade system. This is being developed jointly with Elbit Systems Ltd, Israel. The system will be integrated on MBT Arjun and performance evaluation trials are expected during summer 2009.
Text & Illustration by DRDO
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sayareakd
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Personally i think some officials with DGMF dont want Arjun tank for the many reason, being Indian tank from OFB is one of such reasons, their use of Old Russian tanks is another, infrastructure not upto mark for Arjun is another reason, but overall Arjun tank is much better tank in compersion to T90S which has its own use.
The bottom line is Indian Army require about 3800 tanks and T90 tanks cannot fulfill that gap alone therefore their is ample space for Arjun tank i would say even if 2000 T 90 tanks come to IA then about 1800 Arjun should come out of which 500 should be MK-II and rest should be MK-II and MK-III in next 58-10 years.
Today the officers who dont want Arjun tank, my just find their own sons being saved in Arjun tank in next decade if we go to war.
The bottom line is Indian Army require about 3800 tanks and T90 tanks cannot fulfill that gap alone therefore their is ample space for Arjun tank i would say even if 2000 T 90 tanks come to IA then about 1800 Arjun should come out of which 500 should be MK-II and rest should be MK-II and MK-III in next 58-10 years.
Today the officers who dont want Arjun tank, my just find their own sons being saved in Arjun tank in next decade if we go to war.
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should be helpful for arjun
DRDO scientists build bridge with brains - Pune - Cities - The Times of India
The bridge is made of carbon-epoxy materials and is 30% lighter than aluminium. The cost of building the bridge is almost the same as that of an aluminium bridge, but the expenses occurred on maintenance of the carbon composite material bridge will be lower, said Joshi. The bridge weighs just 1.2 tonnes, but should be able to carry the load of a 70-tonne battle tank, he added.
DRDO scientists build bridge with brains - Pune - Cities - The Times of India
The bridge is made of carbon-epoxy materials and is 30% lighter than aluminium. The cost of building the bridge is almost the same as that of an aluminium bridge, but the expenses occurred on maintenance of the carbon composite material bridge will be lower, said Joshi. The bridge weighs just 1.2 tonnes, but should be able to carry the load of a 70-tonne battle tank, he added.
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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-03/29/content_11094963.htm
Report: Indian Army to test Israeli defensive system suite on battle tank
www.chinaview.cn 2009-03-29 16:41:10
NEW DELHI, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Indian Army will evaluate an advanced laser-based defensive suite designed by the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with Israel, on the Arjun battle tank this summer, reported the local daily The Tribune on Sunday.
Designated as the Advanced Laser Warning and Countermeasure System (ALWCS), the suite comprises a laser warning system, infra-red jammer and an aerosol smoke grenade system. The sensors of these systems are mounted on the front sides of the turret, said the report.
The purpose of ALWCS is to enhance survivability of armored vehicles against anti-tank guided missiles. Israel's Elbit Systems Limited which manufactures and integrates Israel's hi-tech defense electronic and electro-optic systems undertakes weapon upgrade projects for militaries throughout the world, and is DRDO's collaborating partner for ALWCS.
The Arjun battle tank, which is under development for the past 36 years, is scheduled to undergo comprehensive trials with the Russian-origin T-90 tanks in May-June. Moreover, last year's trials were not reported to be successful.
As part of Arjun's protection capability, DRDO's Adavi-based Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment has also developed a mobile camouflage system to provide multi-spectral signature management for reducing vehicle visual, thermal and radar signature against sensors and smart munitions.
Report: Indian Army to test Israeli defensive system suite on battle tank
www.chinaview.cn 2009-03-29 16:41:10
NEW DELHI, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Indian Army will evaluate an advanced laser-based defensive suite designed by the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with Israel, on the Arjun battle tank this summer, reported the local daily The Tribune on Sunday.
Designated as the Advanced Laser Warning and Countermeasure System (ALWCS), the suite comprises a laser warning system, infra-red jammer and an aerosol smoke grenade system. The sensors of these systems are mounted on the front sides of the turret, said the report.
The purpose of ALWCS is to enhance survivability of armored vehicles against anti-tank guided missiles. Israel's Elbit Systems Limited which manufactures and integrates Israel's hi-tech defense electronic and electro-optic systems undertakes weapon upgrade projects for militaries throughout the world, and is DRDO's collaborating partner for ALWCS.
The Arjun battle tank, which is under development for the past 36 years, is scheduled to undergo comprehensive trials with the Russian-origin T-90 tanks in May-June. Moreover, last year's trials were not reported to be successful.
As part of Arjun's protection capability, DRDO's Adavi-based Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment has also developed a mobile camouflage system to provide multi-spectral signature management for reducing vehicle visual, thermal and radar signature against sensors and smart munitions.
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sayareakd
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Let them do it, we will see who comes out top, this is what DRDO wanted for very very long time and IA (DGMF) refuse to do.
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Arjun brings more firepower, crew comfort and protection. These are tanks built for different doctrines and different types of battles. The T 90 and the T 72M1 specializes in shoot and scoot and Arjun is designed to take punishment and still operate. The Arjun is based on western doctrine and T 90 on the Russian doctrine. I think this is the battle of two doctrines. The Indian arms procurements works in mysterious ways. Even God cant predict what is going to happen.
