On display at Defexpo this year, the Arjun Mk.2 main battle tank sits on a razor’s edge: from Delhi it will be transported back to Rajasthan, where it will undergo two more critical trial phases supervised by the Indian Army. Like the Mk.1, the new tank is a monster. Got a chance to clamber onto it today for some shots. A DRDO officer at the tank display said the final two phases pertained to mobility in water (medium fording), mobility across obstacles, missile firing and fresh regular ammunition firing routines. These rounds will be undertaken with the onset of summer from next month and will continue till the middle of the year. User trials began in May 2012. The Indian Army has indented for 124 of the Mk.2 for two tank regiments, though the DRDO is trying to get the Army to more than double that order. Things remain tough though.
Does it have AC or do the jawans have to cook in 50 C?
Both Mk1 and Mk2 have AC.
Arjun true to its name invincible. But in Mahabharata war Arjun is nothing without Krishnas help.
shiv, some times i just wonder how these russian weapon mafia keeps changing the discussion. DGMF comes out in press and says that soldiers are not supposed to be living in luxury and says no to AC in Arjun, on other side DRDO stands up to this challenge and comes out with hardened electronics. But at the same time the luxury point is not valid and T-90 has its AC fitted in next 1 year. Now we have a poster who comes out asking if Arjun has an AC.
Seriously, I think IA can do away with more than just 118 Arjun Mk II (2 regiments). Such a small number is really useless. Army can decide a role and a doctrine for Arjun Mk II and then order some more regiments… like atleast 354 (6 regiments). After achieving so many milestones (kudos to DRDO for not giving up on Arjun), now Army is left with just one excuse that it has already set it's ways with T-90 Bhishma. They don't want to change their doctrine now. So, why the hell bother ordering 118 Arjun-II either! That will be really wasting tax payer's money… And those aren't good enough numbers for even keeping the assembly line alive till the FMBT is developed. If Arjun is not kept alive, I am afraid we are already heading toward similar fate of FMBT. DRDO will lose its rigour and momentum in tank development field over the years. A very good example is HF-24 Marut fighter jets. DRDO gave up aviation development after the unhealthy life and demise of Maruts and they had to start all over again… right from the scratch for LCA Tejas. We shouldn't always keep individual entities (like Army) happy and satisfied… sometimes we have to take decisions for greater good which works in the favour of the nation's growth and interest… After all, no nation can dream of being a super power if it keeps on importing weapons. China learnt that fast and is on right track to become a super power. When are we gonna wake up to realize that.
I was looking up on the specs of this beast. If the figures are too be believed, it's 55 tons in weight. It's longer by almost a metre than its distant relative , Merkava, but it's lighter by about 10 tons. On top of it out has a mine plough, ERA as well as conventional armour.I think there is something that doesn't fit here. But irrespective of that, they seem to have done a good job on giving the turret the slopes it needs. modular panels keeps it easy to maintain. I think the only valid opponent to this tank is its hydro pneumatic susp. It's notorious of being a unreliable bit of tech. I wish there could be something else they could try. Maybe retain the torsion rod but give independent suspensions to the crew seating systems. That should give lesser maintenance costs. I would love to see what they could do with the mark 3 when sanctioned. A flush turret and higher power to weight ratio seems to be the things to go for as a first.
I was looking up on the specs of this beast. If the figures are too be believed, it's 55 tons in weight. It's longer by almost a metre than its distant relative , Merkava, but it's lighter by about 10 tons. On top of it out has a mine plough, ERA as well as conventional armour.I think there is something that doesn't fit here. But irrespective of that, they seem to have done a good job on giving the turret the slopes it needs. modular panels keeps it easy to maintain. I think the only valid opponent to this tank is its hydro pneumatic susp. It's notorious of being a unreliable bit of tech. I wish there could be something else they could try. Maybe retain the torsion rod but give independent suspensions to the crew seating systems. That should give lesser maintenance costs. I would love to see what they could do with the mark 3 when sanctioned. A flush turret and higher power to weight ratio seems to be the things to go for as a first.
A very simple & straight forward effort needs to be seriously made, in order to reduce weight of the 68 toms Arjun-MBT2 to around 50 tons; by replacing heavier RHA plates with Titanium nanometric alloy plates for a next Gen Kanchan armour design! If necessary DRDO-MoD, requires to tie-up with Japanese defense manufacturers and get nanometric alloys design technology…
No doubt The Arjun MK 2 is a great tank by global standards. But the main issue is the weight (68 ton is a lot). DRDO should put some serious efforts to bring down the weight while increasing the protection.
Unfortunately CVRDE Upgraded T-90-S-UPG will be far more effective than Arjun on modern day battlefields I feel! Need to redesign Arjun and keep total wt. well below 50 tonnes for it to be an effective MBT!
I now understand why IA does not want the Arjun MBT2. T-90-S upgraded by CVRDE using all the lessons learnt & Tech transfers from Arjun MBT2 project, is turning out to be a far-more potent and cost-effective solution for IA! ArjunMBT2 weighing in at almost 70-tons is no good as it cannot be deployed effectively and, costs too much to be maintained effectively on the field. Almost 70% of tank components are direct imports from foreign nations- who do not have any Indian partner to maintain or replace parts! Kanchan armour is also being used to beef up T-90's old Russian armor I hear. Well… at least CVRDE & DMRL's galiant efforts did not go totally in vain right people?!
I now understand why Army does not want or need Arjun-MBT2's! When the 1st batch of T-90s arrived from Russia, they were absolutely worthless with so many problems issues- no night fighting capability at all! Army then approached CVRDE, and CVRDE next did a FANTASTIC job of upgrading the T-90-S; using all the Tech's and lessons learnt, from Arjun MBT2 project. And enhanced this tank to being far-more deadlier than the Arjun itself! From MBT2 project, they used Kanchan2 armor-DMRL to improve T-90's protection in vital areas, Israeli Digital Data link fusion to UAV's, fighters & other tanks, used BEL developed BMS Main Computer and same Computerized gun aiming and positioning w/ electric controls [will keep the main gun steady & stabilized on target, even when the T-90S is charging across rugged terrain at top speed. This allows 1st shoot 1st kill capability!]; implemented BEL developed panaromic sight-scope for both driver and Commander with night vision, and really done up this tank's Russian engine to world-class standards. Now this tank can confidently handle any challenges from our neighbours latest MBT's! So, basically Arjun MBT projects did not go in vain at all; and has in fact resulted indirectly in a very deadly 48-ton low profiled, high mobility, deadly MBT the T-90-UPG-India! Now Army is looking for FMBT's for the next 50 years deployments…