Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT)

[nitesh]

LiveFist

Army Statement: History of sorts was made today as the Indian Army proudly equipped itself with the first Armoured Regiment of indigenously built Main Battle Tank, Arjun. The development marks the fruition of 35 years of research in self-reliance by dedicated Indian scientists against all odds.

16 tanks (Cumulative 45 Arjun tanks) were handed over to Lt.Gen.D.Bhardwaj, DGMF, towards formation of the 1st Arjun regiment by Shri S.Chandrasekar, Addl. DGOF (AV) and flagged-off by Dr.A.Sivathanu PIllai, Chief Controller, Research & Development & Distinguished Scientist, DRDO at a function in Avadi today.

MBT Arjun is the state-of-art main battle tank designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment(CVRDE), Avadi along with other DRDO and industrial partners. MBT Arjun is provided with excellent mobility, superior fire power and protection and the features are quite comparable to contemporary world tanks. The Kanchan Armour, Hydro-pneumatic suspension, Armament system, Integrated Fire Detection & Suppression System, system engineering and system integration of complex weapon platforms are some of the significant indigenous technologies of Arjun, developed by DRDO labs.

Initially 12 prototypes were developed during 1983 to 1990 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 20,000 kms and 1100 rounds. Based on user feedback 15 pre-production vehicles were developed during 1990 to 1995 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 70,000 kms and 8000 rounds. After the satisfactory trials, army placed an indent initially for 15 limited series production in Nov 1997 and cumulatively 124 in Mar 2000. The development of Arjun was carried out in a number of stages and evaluation through extensive field trials. After satisfactory performance, Army placed an indent for the full compliment of 124 nos. of MBT Arjun in Mar 2000.

As there was a long gap from the R&D phase to production phase from 1993 to 2000, problems related to re-establishing production lines and vendor sources and resolving overseas issues like technology denial in view of Pokhran testing, change over and mergers of OEMS for the critical items, delayed initial commencement of production. In order to meet the production requirement, additional infrastructure facilities and machine tools were established at HVF, Avadi and Ordnance Factory, Medak. However, the first pilot batch of production tanks was handed over to Army on 7th August 2004 in the presence of the then Defence Minister Shri. Pranab Mukherjee.

During subsequent production, Army insisted upon the demonstration of medium fording capabilities of MBT Arjun. Both CVRDE and HVF, continuously worked on war footing, to meet the stringent requirement of medium fording to a height of 2.1m in water with preparation time of 30 minutes as retro-fitment solution and demonstrated successfully to Defence Minister Shri A.K.Antony and other dignitaries on 2nd July 2007. Subsequently, the production tanks were incorporated with all medium fording modifications and the next batch of nine tanks were handed over by Sep 2007.

Meanwhile, Army carried out the Accelerated Usage Cum Reliability Trials (AUCRT) in 5 phases on two tanks from Nov 2007 to Aug 2008 covering more than 8000 km and 800 rounds of firing in each tank. AUCRT is required for assessing the spares requirement for the entire life of the tank besides evaluation of reliability of tank. Each phase consists of 1000kms run and 100EFC (Approx. 160 rounds of APFSDS and HESH – Primary and secondary rounds) over a temperature range of -5 to 500C. One of the main issues during AUCRT trials was the failure of the bearings of Transmission of M/s RENK, Germany, due to rise in lub oil temperature. However, this was immediately solved by modifying the software during AUCRT itself and the efficacy of the software was proved for more than 4000kms. However a comprehensive solution of modifying the bearing assembly by providing a special coating was carried out to take care of the temperature problem and the retrofitment of bearing assembly being carried out in all the tanks.

The outcome of AUCRT trials raised the confidence levels of the users over the reliability and endurance of MBT Arjun and they confirmed that the overall performance of the MBT Arjun during the stringent AUCRT trials was satisfactory and cleared the production tanks with minor modifications suggested during AUCRT, for induction. Both CVRDE and HVF along with DGQA agencies worked out methodologies to introduce all AUCRT modifications within shortest time frame and the next batch of 17 tanks were handed over to Army by 3rd March 2009. As suggested by Army after AUCRT trials, Arjun tanks were subjected to rigorous trials and assessment by a third party audit (an internationally reputed tank manufacturer). After the extensive evaluation, the reputed tank manufacturer confirmed that the MBT Arjun is an excellent tank with very good mobility and fire power characteristics suitable for Indian desert. They also added inputs such as quality auditing, production procedures and refined calibration procedures for further enhancing the performance of MBT Arjun. DRDO, will be incorporating all these inputs in the next regiment of 62 tanks for handing over to Army before Mar 2010 as desired by the Army.

The regiment of 45 tanks will be subjected to a conversion training and field practice for a period of 3 months. Thereafter, the Army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T 90 tanks in Oct/Nov 2009 to assess the operational deployment role of the tanks. The present batch of 124 tanks will be delivered by Mar 2010.

 

[nitesh]

The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Thrust on scaling up indigenous content of military arsenal

Final complement of 16 Arjun Main Battle Tanks flagged off

— Photo: V. Ganesan

ROLLING OUT: MBT Arjun tanks for the Army at the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, on Monday.


CHENNAI: The Defence department’s thrust on scaling up indigenous content of its military arsenal will lessen the country’s dependence on import of critical components in the next few years, A.Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller Research and Development, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said on Monday.

Interacting with reporters after flagging off the final complement of 16 Arjun Main Battle Tanks to the Army’s 43rd regiment at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, Dr.Pillai said the Army, Navy and Air Force had already ushered in a great degree of indigenisation in weaponry.

“The DRDO is looking to raise the ratio of indigenous content in military equipment from the current level of 30 per cent to about 70 per cent in the next seven years or so,” Dr.Pillai told The Hindu.

Already, the DRDO had led the indigenisation drive under the Component Design Execution (CODE) programme across various weaponry systems such as vessels for the Navy, light and medium combat aircraft for the Air Force, missiles, sensors and state-of-the-art radars.

Capacity exists


Dr.Pillai said the roughly 200 public and private production units engaged in manufacture of defence equipment had the scalable capacity to meet the requirements as and when Army indent volumes increased in future.

He pointed out that even for the fully indigenous MBT Arjun mission, the DRDO had collaborated with a host of agencies led by the Combat Vehicles Engineering Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE).

Dr.Pillai underlined the fact that self reliance in design and development of military weaponry through synergy among various agencies was a shared goal of the entire nation. “However, complete self reliance is impossible for any country to achieve.”

The HVF at Avadi, which was tasked with manufacturing 124 MBT Arjun units for the Army, has so far handed over 45 tanks. “The fine-tuning of the tanks will continue and the remaining units are scheduled to be ready for commissioning in early 2010,” Dr.Pillai said.

D.Bhardwaj, Director General Mechanised Forces, said the jointeffort and the will to succeed against odds displayed by various agencies in putting out MBT Arjun proved to the world that India was a force to reckon with when it came to weapon design capabilities.

The Army, which was proud to possess the tank, was confident that MBT Arjun would rank among the best tanks in the world, he said.

Awesome features


CVRDE Director S.Sundaresh said MBT Arjun’s core strengths of excellent mobility, superior firepower and protection features made it comparable with the best armoured machines in the world. The design engineering feats achieved by the MBT Arjun team at Avadi includes developing the Kanchan Armour, hydro-pneumatic suspension, armament system, integrated fire detection and suppression system and system integration of complex weapon platforms.

Earlier, the fanfare that marked the rollout of the tanks befitted the over three-decades-old Arjun saga that has been characterised by design hiccups, technology denial and re-engineering and retrofitment of the tank’s medium fording capabilities.

As an MBT Arjun tank decked with garlands, ribbon strips and balloons led out a formidable-looking line-up of tanks, the collective roar of the 1,400 HP engines almost drowned the cries of “Bharath Mata ki Jai.”

 

[nitesh]

DRDO working on additional capabilities for Arjun battle tank

New Delhi (PTI) With the Arjun Main Battle Tank slated to be compared with Russian T-90 tanks in trials after August, the DRDO is working on development of host of armoured defence systems to provide additional capabilities for the indigenously developed battle tank.

"DRDO is developing a laser warning control system (LWCS) and Mobile Camouflaging System (MCS) to be equipped on the Arjun, which is to expected to be fielded for regimental level trials with T-90s during monsoon," Defence Ministry officials told PTI.

The MCS is being developed by DRDO to help the tank reduce the threat of interference from all types of sensors and smart munitions of the enemy in the tank's systems.

"This will help us reduce the signatures of the tank in the battle field and help it improve its survivability," they said.

DRDO is co-developing the technology along with a Gurgaon-based private sector defence manufacturer Baracudda Camouflaging Limited.

The other system LWCS is beind developed in cooperation with Elbit Limited of Israel.

"The Laser Warning Suite of the tank will be based on an Israeli system, used by their Army on its tanks," officials said.

 

[nitesh]

Good info:

SAAB’s approach to Armour in Indian desert | Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion - Aviation, Military, Commodity, Energy, Transportation, Conflict, Environment, Intelligence, Internal Security

 

[sayareakd]

Erm, sorry , didn't get you. Could you be a bit more clear?

Well IA and DRDO knows T 90S inside out and they know about the capabilties of ARjun tank, therefore both are well aware how will Arjun tank will do in these trial.........

First IA said no for trial now they are making excuses.........

These trials will never happen.........

Even if they are happen with 50 tanks on each side this is Joke...........

Five tanks would do the trial..........

 

[johnq]

I think Antony is pro-Arjun, so a combined push from defence ministry and DRDO may still save the Arjun.

 

[sayareakd]

lets wait for a while before deciding what Antony wants...........

 

[Sridhar]

DRDO to deliver 79 tanks to Army
BS Reporter / Chennai June 1, 2009, 0:22 IST

Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi near Chennai will deliver 79 Arjun main battle tank (MBT), which was built indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), by March 2010. Each tank was built for Rs 19 crore.



After flagging off 16 MBT Arjun tanks from CVRDE, Avadi which was handed over to the Army, A Sivathanu Pillai, scientist and chief controller, research and development, DRDO, ministry of defence said total order placed by the army was 124 tanks. Of this 45 have been delivered. Remaining will be delivered by March 2010.

S Chandrasekar, additional DGOF (AV) said development started in March 1974. It took over three decades to develop the project. Delay is mainly due to several unexpected hindrances on account of foreign sanctions on India following its nuclear tests. Each tank was costing around Rs 19 crore.

The army placed the final order after tanks went through serious of test by Accelerated Usage Cum Reliability Trials in five phases on two tanks covering more than 8,000 km and 800 rounds of firing in each tank, he added.

The tanks will have 1400 HP engine, which was bought from Germany, and can travel at a speed of 70kms an hour and capable of firing upto 3-4 kms both in day and night times, K Sridhar, DRDO scientist and spokesperson CVRD. He added, import component, including engine, is 25-30 per cent.

Meanwhile Pillai said the defence forces plan to reduce their foreign dependency for developing their military equipments. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had set a target to gradually increase the indigenous content in defence equipments to 70 per cent from the current 30 per cent. According to studies good and services worth around $10 billion likely to be sourced within India for various defence requirements.

He added: “earlier our (India's defence equipment) requirements were dominated by foreign inflows which has started changing now. The country in the last few years has built its own capabilities.”

Pillai, said vessels for Indian Navy, combat aircrafts for the Indian Air Force, missiles, sensors, radars, weapon locator's, tanks, sonas and other electronic systems are now getting designed and developed within the country.

The major problem is procuring components for our deliverables, said Pillai. To address the issue a programme CODE (Components for Deliverables) was launched to increase the localisation.

DRDO to deliver 79 tanks to Army

 

[nitesh]

Good news for Arjun:

CVRDE, Avadi gets State of the Art Engine Test Facility

 

[nitesh]

Arjun Tanks Future | Frontier India Strategic and Defence - News, Analysis, Opinion - Aviation, Military, Commodity, Energy, Transportation, Conflict, Environment, Intelligence, Internal Security

Last month we saw Arjun Tanks being inducted. Army wants now regimental comparisons with T-90. Another delaying technique?

Why Army has not spoken about the order for 500 tanks. Arjun Tank has been certified by an Israeli company. A South American country has asked for a Request For Proposal for Arjun Tanks. The Tanks have been tested to death. What else Indian Army wants?

 

[nitesh]

Will the Arjun tank keep rolling?

However, happily for HVF and the DRDO, it appears that a serious RFP (Request For Proposal) has been received from a Latin American country. Who knows? Fortune may favour Arjun and it may be seen in service in larger numbers abroad than in the country of its origin

 

[luckyy]

anybody got idea which latin amarican country has sand Request For Proposal for Arjun MBT..?

 

[SATISH]

The Hindu News Update Service

New Delhi (PTI) Army chief General Deepak Kapoor on Friday said comparative trials of Arjun tanks with Russian-origin T-90s will be delayed by another four months, despite raising of an armoured regiment with the indigenous tanks recently.

The comparative trials, which will provide the final assessment on the future of Arjun tanks, could now take place in October-November this year.

"The Arjun tanks have been just delivered to the Army.It would take around three to four months before the regiments are fully operationalised. Once it is fully operationalised, we will carry out comparative trials between the Arjun tanks and the T-90s," General Kapoor told reporters here on the sidelines of an Army function.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi near Chennai had handed over 16 more Arjun tanks to the Army a fortnight ago, thereby meeting the requirement of 45 tanks for raising a new armoured regiment.

The Army had insisted that the comparative trials between Arjun tanks and the T-90s should be held at the regiment-level and had demanded that the DRDO deliver the 45 Arjun tanks before conducting the tests.

Once the comparative trials, which were originally scheduled for May-June this year, are over, the Army will carry out "evaluation before going further" with the induction of the indigenous tanks, General Kapoor indicated.

 

[Daredevil]

Old video, but nevertheless relevant to thread. This is a program on Arjun on Healine Today channel in 2007.

YouTube - Arjun MBT 1 of 2

YouTube - Arjun MBT 2 of 2

 

[luckyy]

T-90 purchase under scuitiny ..

CAG has opened scrutiny on T-90 deal since india has developed it's own indigenous Arjun MBT..

Gorshkov, T90 deals under CAG scrutiny - India - The Times of India

 

[Sridhar]

Very good news for Arjun program

Colombia wants MBT Arjun!
LiveFist has confirmed that the Latin American country Colombia has expressed interest in purchasing India's indigenous Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun. The National Army of Colombia (Ejército Nacional de Colombia) operates armoured personnel carriers and infantry combat vehicles of Brazilian and American origin, but does not have any main armoured strength. As part of its modernisation drive, the country is interested in inducting regiments of main battle tanks. The country has sent the DRDO a request for information (RFI) on MBT Arjun. This is the first ever expression of interest from abroad in the MBT Arjun.

LiveFist: Colombia wants MBT Arjun!

 

[F-14]

damm you sri Lol but still a good news

 

[Rage]

Indian Army Gets its First Armoured Regiment of the MBT Arjun

Article transposed to animate greater discussion....and because most people seem to be unaware of the fact.

x-x-x-x-x


Indian Army Gets its First Armoured Regiment of MBT Arjun

After 35 years of troubled development, India’s indigenously-designed
Arjun tank has finally entered regimental service with the Indian Army


28th May, 2009

History of sorts was made today as the Indian Army proudly equipped itself with the first Armoured Regiment of indigenously built Main Battle Tank, Arjun. The development marks the fruition of 35 years of research in self-reliance by dedicated Indian scientists against all odds.

16 tanks (cumulative 45 Arjun tanks) were handed over to Lt. Gen. D. Bhardwaj, DGMF, towards formation of the 1st Arjun regiment by Shri S. Chandrasekar, Addl. DGOF (AV) and flagged-off by Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller, Research & Development & Distinguished Scientist, DRDO, at a function in Avadi today.

MBT Arjun is the state-of-art main battle tank designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi along with other DRDO and industrial partners.

MBT Arjun is provided with excellent mobility, superior fire power and protection and the features are quite comparable to contemporary world tanks. The Kanchan armour, hydro-pneumatic suspension, armament system, Integrated Fire Detection & Suppression System, system engineering and system integration of complex weapon platforms are some of the significant indigenous technologies of Arjun, developed by DRDO labs.

Initially, 12 prototypes were developed during 1983 to 1990 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 20,000 kms and 1100 rounds. Based on user feedback 15 pre-production vehicles were developed during 1990 to 1995 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 70,000 kms and 8,000 rounds.

After the satisfactory trials, Army placed an indent initially for 15 limited series production in Nov 1997 and cumulatively 124 in Mar 2000. The development of Arjun was carried out in a number of stages and evaluation through extensive field trials. After satisfactory performance, Army placed an indent for the full complement of 124 MBT Arjun in Mar 2000.

As there was a long gap from the R&D phase to production phase from 1993 to 2000, problems related to re-establishing production lines and vendor sources and resolving overseas issues like technology denial in view of Pokhran testing, change over and mergers of OEMS for the critical items, delayed initial commencement of production.

In order to meet the production requirement, additional infrastructure facilities and machine tools were established at HVF, Avadi and Ordnance Factory, Medak. However, the first pilot batch of production tanks was handed over to Army on 7th August 2004 in the presence of the then Defence Minister Shri. Pranab Mukherjee.

During subsequent production, Army insisted upon the demonstration of medium fording capabilities of MBT Arjun. Both CVRDE and HVF continuously worked on war footing, to meet the stringent requirement of medium fording to a height of 2.1m in water with preparation time of 30 minutes as retro-fitment solution and demonstrated successfully to Defence Minister Shri A. K. Antony and other dignitaries on 2nd July 2007.

Subsequently, the production tanks were incorporated with all medium fording modifications and the next batch of nine tanks were handed over by Sep 2007.

Meanwhile, Army carried out the Accelerated Usage Cum Reliability Trials (AUCRT) in 5 phases on two tanks from Nov 2007 to Aug 2008 covering more than 8000 km and 800 rounds of firing in each tank. AUCRT is required for assessing the spares requirement for the entire life of the tank besides evaluation of reliability of tank.

Each phase consists of 1000kms run and 100EFC (Approx. 160 rounds of APFSDS and HESH – primary and secondary rounds) over a temperature range of -5° to 50° C. One of the main issues during AUCRT trials was the failure of the bearings of transmission of M/s RENK, Germany, due to rise in lube oil temperature. However, this was immediately solved by modifying the software during AUCRT itself and the efficacy of the software was proved for more than 4000kms.

However a comprehensive solution of modifying the bearing assembly by providing a special coating was carried out to take care of the temperature problem and the retrofit of bearing assembly being carried out in all the tanks.

The outcome of AUCRT trials raised the confidence levels of the users over the reliability and endurance of MBT Arjun and they confirmed that the overall performance of the MBT Arjun during the stringent AUCRT trials was satisfactory and cleared the production tanks with minor modifications suggested during AUCRT, for induction. Both CVRDE and HVF along with DGQA agencies worked out methodologies to introduce all AUCRT modifications within shortest time frame and the next batch of 17 tanks were handed over to Army by 3rd March 2009.

As suggested by Army after AUCRT trials, Arjun tanks were subjected to rigorous trials and assessment by a third party audit (an internationally reputed tank manufacturer). After the extensive evaluation, the reputed tank manufacturer confirmed that the MBT Arjun is an excellent tank with very good mobility and fire power characteristics suitable for Indian desert. They also added inputs such as quality auditing, production procedures and refined calibration procedures for further enhancing the performance of MBT Arjun.

DRDO will be incorporating all these inputs in the next regiment of 62 tanks for handing over to Army before March 2010 as desired by the Army.

The regiment of 45 tanks will be subjected to a conversion training and field practice for a period of 3 months. Thereafter, the Army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T-90 tanks in Oct/Nov 2009 to assess the operational deployment role of the tanks.

The present batch of 124 tanks will be delivered by Mar 2010.


Army Guide - Indian Army Gets its First Armoured Regiment of MBT Arjun

 

[Rage]

And for the sake of posterity:


Production line images of the MBT

Courtesy: Shiv Aroor, Livefist

 

[Rage]

Arjun MBT heads for comparison with Russian T-90

Hemanth C S
First Published : 25 May 2009 l 05:54:05 PM IST

NEW DELHI: With one regiment of the indigenously built Arjun main battle tank (MBT) delivered to the Indian Army, the combat vehicle is now headed for comparative trials with its Russian T-90 equivalent.

This could deliver the final verdict on a platform that has been 36 years in the making and which has cost the exchequer Rs.3.5 billion ($71.7 million).

The Indian Army had insisted on the delivery of a full regiment (45 tanks) of the Arjun before the comparative trials could be conducted.

"DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) has handed over 16 more tanks to the Indian Army, completing one regiment of 45 tanks. This regiment will now be subjected to conversion training and field practice for a three months. After that, the army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T-90 tanks in October or November to assess the operational deployment role of the Arjun," a defence ministry official told IANS.

The DRDO demand for the comparative trials of the two tanks is being seen as a last ditch bid to save the Arjun as some 500 tanks would need to be manufactured to make the project feasible.

The army has made it clear that it will buy no more than the 124 Arjuns it has contracted for because it is unhappy with the tank on various counts. This apart, the army says 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.

The army's stand has been contrary to a third party assessment by an internationally reputed tank manufacturer.

The official said: "As suggested by the army, Arjun tanks were subjected to rigorous trials and assessment in a third party audit. After the extensive evaluation, the auditor confirmed that Arjun is an excellent tank with very good mobility and firepower characteristics suitable for Indian deserts."

"They (the auditor) also gave inputs on production procedures for further enhancing the performance of Arjun tanks. DRDO will be incorporating all these inputs before the next lot of 62 tanks is handed over to army by March 2010," the official added.

The Indian Army laid down its qualitative requirement 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.


http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/...me=pWehHe7IsSU=&SEO=Arjun, T-90, MBT, trials]