Re: Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Given the fact that Pakistan has Kontakt-5 ERA, I think it is rather possible that the ERA used on Al-Khalid is based on it or based on the same working mechanism (which is exactly what India is doing with the ERA on Arjun Mk 2). The Chinese allegdly bought some Soviet era equipment during the 1990s; if this is true, their ERA might be similar to Kontakt-5 too.
The Arjun however was not tested against any APFSDS with 600 mm RHA penetration; at least no reliable source has claimed that. The Arjun was tested against the Isreali CL 3254 APFSDS which has ~540 mm RHA penetration, but that's not 600 mm. During Cold War, CIA estimated the probability to destroy a basic T-72 with the M735 APFSDS to be only 22% (which means hitting the weak points like the gun mantlet or the driver's place), while the M774 APFSDS - with only slightly better armour penetration into steel - was believed to have a probability of 50 -71% (depending on estimate) to destroy the basic T-72. So even a difference of 60 - 80 mm penetration is very important.
The Indian T-72 with ERA does not stand any chance against modern ammunition, because it is fitted with (first generation) appliqué ERA (thin steel plates in a small box), not with more modern integrated ERA. Bishma and Arjun are better protected, how much is unkown. I'd like too point out again, that the Arjun Mk.2 will be fitted with ERA: why should it be fitted with ERA when Kanchan is already enough to defeat any threat?
The currently best ammunition in South (East) Asia has China, but this might not be compatible with all types of tanks:
This round should penetrate more than 600 mm RHA at 2,000 m. Pakistan has 125 mm DU monoblock APFSDS, which can penetrate as much as CL 3254. Your government banned IMI from exporting military equipment/hardware to India after accusations of corruption... this means your T-90S can only use 3BM-42 Mango ammunition with 450 - 500 mm RHA penetration at 2,000 m. Arjun's ammunition can penetrate 300 mm RHA at the same range according to DRDO. Unless the new ammunition people here speak about enters service (with proof), I cannot say that the Arjun is better than the tanks from your neighbour countries, which is what @Keshav Murali wants to claim as he said in post #4642.
You are assuming a lot without proof. When fitted with Kontakt-5 ERA, Soviet MBTs were protected against NATO ammunition which had an armour penetration greater than 600 mm RHA (for example M829A1, DM43). So the T-80UD cannot be penetrated reliably with an APFSDS with 600 mm RHA armour penetration.I was responding to your post that says 600 is not enough for Pakistani and China Tanks ..one can also argue what Pakistani or Chinese APFSDS have are not enough to penetrate the Arjun , Bishma or Modified T-72 with ERA [...]
Given the fact that Pakistan has Kontakt-5 ERA, I think it is rather possible that the ERA used on Al-Khalid is based on it or based on the same working mechanism (which is exactly what India is doing with the ERA on Arjun Mk 2). The Chinese allegdly bought some Soviet era equipment during the 1990s; if this is true, their ERA might be similar to Kontakt-5 too.
The Arjun however was not tested against any APFSDS with 600 mm RHA penetration; at least no reliable source has claimed that. The Arjun was tested against the Isreali CL 3254 APFSDS which has ~540 mm RHA penetration, but that's not 600 mm. During Cold War, CIA estimated the probability to destroy a basic T-72 with the M735 APFSDS to be only 22% (which means hitting the weak points like the gun mantlet or the driver's place), while the M774 APFSDS - with only slightly better armour penetration into steel - was believed to have a probability of 50 -71% (depending on estimate) to destroy the basic T-72. So even a difference of 60 - 80 mm penetration is very important.
The Indian T-72 with ERA does not stand any chance against modern ammunition, because it is fitted with (first generation) appliqué ERA (thin steel plates in a small box), not with more modern integrated ERA. Bishma and Arjun are better protected, how much is unkown. I'd like too point out again, that the Arjun Mk.2 will be fitted with ERA: why should it be fitted with ERA when Kanchan is already enough to defeat any threat?
The currently best ammunition in South (East) Asia has China, but this might not be compatible with all types of tanks:
This round should penetrate more than 600 mm RHA at 2,000 m. Pakistan has 125 mm DU monoblock APFSDS, which can penetrate as much as CL 3254. Your government banned IMI from exporting military equipment/hardware to India after accusations of corruption... this means your T-90S can only use 3BM-42 Mango ammunition with 450 - 500 mm RHA penetration at 2,000 m. Arjun's ammunition can penetrate 300 mm RHA at the same range according to DRDO. Unless the new ammunition people here speak about enters service (with proof), I cannot say that the Arjun is better than the tanks from your neighbour countries, which is what @Keshav Murali wants to claim as he said in post #4642.
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