Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT)

[Galaxy]

The Arjun line at HVF Avadi, near idle, after delivering 110 of the order for 124 tanks

 

[Galaxy]

Improving the Arjun's already great suspension

by Ajai Shukla | SUNDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2011

One of the distinctive features of the Arjun tank is its hydro-pneumatic suspension, distinct from and far more advanced than the "torsion bar" arrangement that conventional MBTs (including the T-90) feature. The Arjun's suspension provides a smoother ride, making the tank a more stable gunnery platform that permits more accurate engagement of targets whilst on the move.

The Arjun Mark II features an enhanced version of the Arjun's well-proven hydro-pneumatic suspension, with the new one designed for a 70-tonne load. This is part of an improved "running gear", including the road wheel mountings, the road wheels, axle arms and shock absorbers.

The new suspension has already been tested in the recent trials and run for 1,300 kilometers. In order to obtain an accurate comparison with the earlier suspension, the trial tank was fitted with both: the old suspension on the left side and the new one on the right. The photographs --- in which the new suspension still looks new while the old suspension looks somewhat the worst for wear (not surprising; 1,300 km is a lot of running!) --- point to a successful upgrade.

The Arjun's suspension will be practically all-Indian. The road wheels, which continue to be built by Sundaram Industries, have been improved with better manufacturing and bonding processes for the rubber. Tractor Engineeers Ltd (TENGL), an L&T company, is doing parallel development of the Arjun track (imported so far), including development of one of the most difficult running gear technologies: the track pins.

I am amused at the many who appear to believe that the Arjun is "built entirely of foreign components" that are "hammered together in India". This kind of view is rooted in a deep lack of understanding of the processes of indigenisation. It is true that almost 60% of the cost of the Arjun goes on imported components. Practically all of that goes on just three components --- the power pack; the gunner's main sight (GMS); and the gun control equipment (GCE). Almost all the Arjun's other 10,000-odd component are sourced from Indian industry, which is rising to the challenge. More support from the government, in terms of better procurement procedures, would accelerate this.

Broadsword: Improving the Arjun's already great suspension

 

[Galaxy]

With Dr P Sivakumar, CVRDE's director, a formidable suspension systems specialist. Here's a brief on the Arjun Mark II's improved running gear.

 

[Galaxy]

 

[Param]

Will future Arjuns have CVRDE license manufactured engines or will those too be imported from Germany?

 

[Kunal Biswas]

Will future Arjuns have CVRDE license manufactured engines or will those too be imported from Germany?

Depends, If India develops its own engine than no other wise its 1400hp German engine..

 

[Param]

Depends, If India develops its own engine than no other wise its 1400hp German engine..

No I did not mean our own indigenous engine. I do not have any realistic expectations of that.

I was asking about the German 1400 Bhp engine being license manufactured at Avadi. I saw Arjun tank for the first time in 1994 its shocking that we still don't have Tot for those engines.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

No I did not mean our own indigenous engine. I do not have any realistic expectations of that.

I was asking about the German 1400 Bhp engine being license manufactured at Avadi. I saw Arjun tank for the first time in 1994 its shocking that we still don't have Tot for those engines.

This article will clear your Doubts..

Broadsword: Large orders can make Arjun tank cheaper

 

[Defcon 1]

Is there a potential for export of these tanks??? i read sometime back that the industry has almost finished the production of 124 ordered tanks, and they were asking the army to order more or their productions lines would go idle.....export could solve that problem....

 

[SATISH]

Is there a potential for export of these tanks??? i read sometime back that the industry has almost finished the production of 124 ordered tanks, and they were asking the army to order more or their productions lines would go idle.....export could solve that problem....

Well the Tank is one costly peice of equipment.

 

[Defcon 1]

Well the Tank is one costly peice of equipment.

i read somewhere that these are at a cost of 37 cr or about $8.5 million per unit....which is not too expensive when compared to US Abrahams which were tagged at a little more $6 million in 1999 (if you adjust the figures for inflation).....hence, they have a good potential, and arjun is believed to be one of the most advanced tanks of the world......or perhaps most.....

 

[mayfair]

Is there a potential for export of these tanks??? i read sometime back that the industry has almost finished the production of 124 ordered tanks, and they were asking the army to order more or their productions lines would go idle.....export could solve that problem....

Would you buy a tank that the army of the country where they are manufactured, is unwilling to commit to wholeheartedly? Unless IA starts inducting them in large numbers, they'll never inspire confidence in any potential customers.

 

[Defcon 1]

Would you buy a tank that the army of the country where they are manufactured, is unwilling to commit to wholeheartedly? Unless IA starts inducting them in large numbers, they'll never inspire confidence in any potential customers.

there is no point in committing to them....arjun tanks have shot their deadline by long and now DRDO is going to develop FMBT......so the army has inducted them only in small numbers to justify the huge development efforts and to keep DRDO happy, if the army had its way, they wouldn't had inducted a single arjun, had we got this tank five years ago, it would surely have been inducted in large numbers......

 

[Kunal Biswas]

there is no point in committing to them....arjun tanks have shot their deadline by long and now DRDO is going to develop FMBT......so the army has inducted them only in small numbers to justify the huge development efforts and to keep DRDO happy, if the army had its way, they wouldn't had inducted a single arjun, had we got this tank five years ago, it would surely have been inducted in large numbers......

Not just to justify, But also to replace ageing T-72M1s and T-55s from Front-lines..

The Number of T-90S are enough to replace most T-72M1 in strike crops but not on front line..


Arjun MK1 are deployed at front-line and in quick reaction units..

 

[p2prada]

No one is replacing T-72s. The T-90s will continue to rule the roost.

Even if we say the Arjuns will replace T-72s it won't happen economically or even time permitting. Production is less than 50 a year. Even if we assume after 10 years of nonstop production we will have only 500 Arjuns by 2020. There are 2400 T-72s that need replacing. We all know the Arjun production line will be idle for 3 more years until Mk2 clears all trials and even that is 2014 if you are optimistic. 124 Arjun Mk2s will take 3 years after that and that's 2017. Another 248 possible orders will push the date to 2022-23 for 372 Arjun Mk2s. But we have to start producing FMBT as well. Geez-louise let's be realistic.

1650 T-90s later we will still have around 1000 odd T-72s that will need replacing. So, the Army is making better decisions. They will induct the T-90, upgrade T-72s that still have life in them for use until 2025-30. And then start building FMBT for replacement of old T-72s which were upgraded like "yesterday." Considering the FMBT will be in the same weight class as the T-90, it will possibly have the same advantages as the T-90 while covering up most of it's disadvantages. So, everybody is happy including DRDO.

 

[nitesh]

This is old article mentioning home grown engine project, I think we will see arjun with current engine only till this project matures

The Hindu : News / National : 1,500-horsepower FMBT to replace T-72 tanks beyond 2020

"For engine development, we have formed a national team comprising members from the academia, the user, industry and the DRDO. We have also gone in for an international consultant," said S. Sundaresh, Chief Controller (Armaments and Combat Engineering), DRDO. The first prototype of the indigenous engine would be ready in four to five years.

The DRDO is launching a project to develop the transmission for the tank; the indigenous engine and transmission will together be called Bharat Power Pack and it will meet the FMBT's mobility requirements.

"We are confident that we will be ready with the FMBT prototype in five to seven years," Mr. Sundaresh said. "We are trying to involve all the stakeholders — the user [the Army], quality control personnel and the production agency — in this project and the industry will be our partner. We will go for a modular design so that we can always upgrade the tank when new technology comes in."

 

[nitesh]

This is old article mentioning home grown engine project, I think we will see arjun with current engine only till this project matures

The Hindu : News / National : 1,500-horsepower FMBT to replace T-72 tanks beyond 2020

"For engine development, we have formed a national team comprising members from the academia, the user, industry and the DRDO. We have also gone in for an international consultant," said S. Sundaresh, Chief Controller (Armaments and Combat Engineering), DRDO. The first prototype of the indigenous engine would be ready in four to five years.

The DRDO is launching a project to develop the transmission for the tank; the indigenous engine and transmission will together be called Bharat Power Pack and it will meet the FMBT's mobility requirements.

"We are confident that we will be ready with the FMBT prototype in five to seven years," Mr. Sundaresh said. "We are trying to involve all the stakeholders — the user [the Army], quality control personnel and the production agency — in this project and the industry will be our partner. We will go for a modular design so that we can always upgrade the tank when new technology comes in."

 

[nitesh]

from posted above, this is quite an achievement, and explains how our media runs down home grown products

Broadsword: Improving the Arjun's already great suspension

I am amused at the many who appear to believe that the Arjun is "built entirely of foreign components" that are "hammered together in India". This kind of view is rooted in a deep lack of understanding of the processes of indigenisation. It is true that almost 60% of the cost of the Arjun goes on imported components. Practically all of that goes on just three components --- the power pack; the gunner's main sight (GMS); and the gun control equipment (GCE). Almost all the Arjun's other 10,000-odd component are sourced from Indian industry, which is rising to the challenge. More support from the government, in terms of better procurement procedures, would accelerate this.

 

[sayareakd]

That`s a good Idea, T-72 have mine plowing equipment for the role..

yeah israel used something like that.

 

[Kunal Biswas]