Arjun Main Battle Tank

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    Recently, the Prime Minister of India has handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Indian Army.

    • The Ministry of Defence had ordered 118 units of the Arjun Mk-1A, which are being inducted at a revised cost of over Rs. 8,400 crore.

    About the Tank

    • The Arjun Main Battle Tank project was initiated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 1972 along with the Chennai-based Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) as its lead laboratory.
    • Project’s Objective: To create a state-of-the-art tank with superior firepower, high mobility, and excellent protection.
    • The engine, transmission, hydropneumatic suspension, hull and turret and the gun control system have been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.
      • Along with the CVRDE and DRDO, 15 academic institutions, eight labs and several MSMEs played an important role in the development.
    • Mass production began in 1996 at the Indian Ordnance Factory’s production facility in Avadi, Tamil Nadu.
    • Features of the Tank
      • Fin Stabilised Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) ammunition.
        • FSAPDS ammunition is the most lethal kinetic energy ammunition, capable of destroying all known tank armour up to direct shooting range.
      • 120-mm calibre rifled gun.
      • Computer-controlled integrated fire control system.
      • Stabilised sighting that works in all lighting conditions.
      • Day-sight, thermal sight, a laser range finder, panoramic sight, etc. in the gunner’s main sight.
      • All-round protection from anti-tank ammunition by KANCHAN armour.
        • KANCHAN is a unique composite material, which can handle a variety of anti-tank ammunition of extreme severity.
        • It has been developed by the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL).
      • Secondary Weapons
        • A co-axial 7.62-mm machine gun for anti-personnel targets.
        • A 12.7-mm machine gun for anti-aircraft and ground targets.
    • Difference from the Earlier Versions
      • The Mk-1A version has 14 major upgrades on the earlier version.
      • It has the missile firing capability as per the design, which will be added later as final testing of this capability is in process.
      • The biggest achievement is 54.3 per cent indigenous content against the 41 per cent in the earlier model.

     

                                                                                          (Image Courtesy: DRDO)

    Significance

    • The latest major and user-driven upgrades make the tank a world-class battle tank and will exceptionally benefit the Indian Army.
    • The tanks made in Tamil Nadu will be used on India’s northern borders, a move showcasing India’s united spirit (Bharat’s Ekta Darshan).
    • The development of this tank is being seen as a step towards achieving self-reliance in India’s defence production abilities, giving a boost to the Atmanirbhar Bharat Initiative and also Make in India.

    Defence Research and Development Organisation

    • Established in 1958 after combining Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
    • It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
    • Objective
      • Establish a world-class science and technology base for India.
      • Provide Indian Defence Services decisive edge by equipping them with internationally competitive systems and solutions.
      • Design, develop and lead to the production of state-of-the-art sensors, weapon systems, platforms and allied equipment.
      • Provide technological solutions to the services to optimise combat effectiveness and to promote the well-being of the troops.
      • Develop infrastructure and committed quality manpower and build strong indigenous technology base.

    Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment

    • It is a laboratory of the DRDO, located in Avadi, Chennai.
    • Mission:
      • Development of the manned and unmanned variants of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) and combat aircraft line-replaceable units.
      • Design, develop and lead to the production of Tracked Armoured Vehicles, Specialist Vehicles and Combat Aircraft systems.
      • Build technological capabilities in critical areas including test and evaluation of combat systems.

    Source: IE

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