Arjun is a Main Battle Tank developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development) for the Indian Army. It is named for Arjuna, one of the heroes of the Indian epic 'The Mahabharata'. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Military vehicles are commonly armoured to withstand the impact of shrapnel, bullets or shells, protecting the soldiers inside from enemy fire. ... Composite armour is a type of vehicle armour consisting of layers of different material such as metals, plastics, ceramics or air. ... A M1 Abrams firing. ... An Anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) is a missile the primary purpose of which is to hit and destroy tanks. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Hydropneumatic is the name given to a suspension system invented by Citroën and fitted to Citroën cars, as well as being adapted by other car manufacturers, notably Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot. ... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ... The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is Indias premier research organisation for defence related matters. ... The Indian Army is the largest branch of the Armed Forces of India and has the primary responsibility of conducting land-based military operations. ... Krishna to Arjuna: Behold My mystic opulence! Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, arjuna) is one of the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. ... The epic is a broadly defined genre of poetry, and one of the major forms of narrative literature. ... Manuscript illustration of the Battle of Kurukshetra The (Devanagari: ) is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the . ...

History

Originally intended to be a 40-ton MBT armed with a 105 mm gun, the Arjun’s project requirements were upgraded to 58.5 tons with a 120 mm gun. The project has had a protracted developmental time, thanks to the design needing to be adapted for the harsh operational conditions in India, the ever-changing Requirements from the Army and the lack of a prior heavy tank building industry in India.

In the process of developing the Arjun, India established the infrastructure to develop and manufacture modern armour. The Heavy Vehicles Factory located in Avadi, India is the facility that has been producing prototypes and pre-production models. The HVF has produced T-72s and Vickers medium tanks in the past, and the Arjun is seen as a significant challenge. The Indian Army has 124 Arjuns on order. The Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, is located in close proximity to Chennai, South India. ... The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1971. ... Vickers was a famous name in British engineering that existed through many companies from 1828 until 2004. ...

The first 15 tanks of the 124 have already been activated. Of the remaining 109 tanks, the Indian Army is currently putting the first five tanks from the production lines at Avadi, through accelerated build quality and reliability trials. The intent is to verify whether the Arjun production has stabilized, with the requisite quality and performance requirements. Upon successful completion, the remaining 104 tanks will be manufactured in batches. The planned production rate is currently pegged at thirty tanks per year, with the Army requesting fifty per year as the ideal.

Something noteworthy - The project was initiated way back when the pakistan started field trials of M1 Abrams of US for induction into its army. The DRDO was given the responsibility of making a similar or higher variant of the M1 Abram. The consultants for the project were the germans. The army changed the tank specifications several times during the run of the project. These changes in turn also added to the wait of the Arjun.

On Oct. 13th 2006, the Indian Minister of Defence reported that the Arjun was slated for full scale production soon.^[1]. He also stated that five tanks had already delivered to the Indian Army and 23 were ready for delivery.^[2].

Specifications

The Arjun (Mk I) was developed after three decades of identifying requirements, design, evaluation, redesign process involving the DRDO and the Indian Army. Weighing in at 58.5 tons, it is significantly heavier than the Soviet-era T-series tanks used presently by the Indian Army, and requires changes to the army's logistics establishment. This along with concerns about the imported content and the required changes in production facilities has slowed adoption by the Indian Army. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is Indias premier research organisation for defence related matters. ... The Indian Army is the largest branch of the Armed Forces of India and has the primary responsibility of conducting land-based military operations. ... “CCCP” redirects here. ... List of Soviet tanks. ... Military logistics is the art and science of planning and carrying out the movement and maintenance of military forces. ...

Armed with a 120 mm rifled gun, it is capable of firing APFSDS (Kinetic Energy) rounds, HE, HEAT, High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) rounds and the Israeli semi-active laser guided LAHAT missile. In addition, it is armed with a 12.7 mm AA machine gun and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The heavy gun turret rotates in 2 seconds an angle of 90 degrees. This one of the features that DRDO is proud of. A kinetic energy penetrator, long-rod penetrator, or APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) is a type of ammunition which, like a bullet, does not contain explosives, but uses kinetic energy to penetrate the target. ... The kinetic energy of an object is the extra energy which it possesses due to its motion. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ... In physics, heat, symbolized by Q, is defined as transfer of thermal energy [1] Generally, heat is a form of energy transfer associated with the different motions of atoms, molecules and other particles that comprise matter when it is hot and when it is cold. ... This article or section is missing references or citation of sources. ... The LAHAT is a missile designed to be mainly fired by 105 mm and 120 mm tank guns, and is manufactured by the IAI subsidiary MBT. The LAHAT missile weighs 13 kg and has a range of 8 km when launched from a ground platform, and up to 13 km... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ...

A special prefragmented round is also under development. This shell has a proximity fuse designed to be used against low-flying aircraft, such as attack helicopters. This round could now be supplanted by the LAHAT ATGM which is to be acquired for the Arjuns. A Russian Mil Mi-24 attack helicopter. ... The LAHAT is a missile designed to be mainly fired by 105 mm and 120 mm tank guns, and is manufactured by the IAI subsidiary MBT. The LAHAT missile weighs 13 kg and has a range of 8 km when launched from a ground platform, and up to 13 km...

The Fire Control System is stabilised on two axes, and with an extremely high hit probability (design criteria call for a greater than 90% Pk) replaces an earlier analogue one, which had problems due to the extreme conditions during tests. The combined day sight from Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Thermal imager (formerly from Sagem, now reported to be from El-Op) is the gunner's primary sight. The first batch of tanks of the 124 ordered by the Army, will have an all digital Sagem FCS, whereas the second block will have the BEL unit, which will be used for all units thereafter. The design and development of the BEL IGMS (Indigenous Gunners Main Sight), the name for the local fire control system, is a huge step forward for Indian industry, given its demanding specifications. The commander's own stabilised panoramic sight, allows him to engage targets and/or hand them over to the gunner. The Arjun was to be supplied by an auxiliary power unit to operate weapon systems in silent watch mode, but space constraints may have led to this requirement being dropped. Computer games, simulations, models, and operations research programs often require a mechanism to determine statistically whether the engagement between a weapon and a target resulted in a kill. ...

The tank incorporates GPS based navigation systems, sophisticated frequency hopping radios. The state-of-the-art Battlefield Management System, developed by DRDO allows it to network with other fighting units. It is protected by a Laser warning system and smoke launchers for counter measures. To further enhance combat survivability, the tank has an auto-fire detection and suppression system. Ammunition is also stowed in watertight containers to reduce the risk of fire. Over fifty GPS satellites such as this NAVSTAR have been launched since 1978. ... Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) is a spread-spectrum method of transmitting radio signals by rapidly switching a carrier among many frequency channels, using a pseudorandom sequence known to both transmitter and receiver. ... The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is Indias premier research organisation for defence related matters. ... Experiment with a laser (likely an argon type) (US Military) In physics, a laser is a device that emits light through a specific mechanism for which the term laser is an acronym: light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. ...

Arjun has been designed with Western design practices in mind, especially reflected in its crew protection features. With a crew of four, it incorporates heavy composite armour and significant crew protection measures, including ammunition separated from the crew, and blow off panels on the turret bustle, and an integrated fire detection and suppression system. It also incorporates nuclear, biological and chemical protection. Further, Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) panels can be added, though the current Kanchan armour is deemed sufficient for the Arjuns tank-killing role. The turret and glacis are heavily armoured and use "Kanchan" (gold) composite armour. The turret has been designed with the ergonomics of Indian Army troops in mind. The typical crew consists of a Gunner, Commander, Loader and Driver. This article or section should be merged with Reactive armour Explosive Reactive Armour. ... Corbelled corner turrets at Newark Castle, Port Glasgow. ... A glacis, in military engineering (see Fortification and Siege) is an artificial slope of earth in the front of works, so constructed as to keep an assailant under the fire of the defenders to the last possible moment. ...

The engine and transmission are provided by MTU and Renk respectively. The engine generates 1,400 hp and is integrated with an Indian turbocharger and gearbox. A local transmission is under trials and will ultimately replace the Renk supplied unit. The tracks which were being supplied by Diehl are now being manufactured by L & T, an Indian company. The cooling pack has been designed for desert operations. The Arjun has a lower ground pressure than the lighter T-72, due to its design. The Arjun, despite using a bulkier and older powerplant than comparable western tanks, still boasts a lower silhouette. This was a significant design success for Indian engineers. An engine is something that produces an effect from a given input. ... MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial engines. ... The Renk AG is a German company, has its headquarters in Augsburg and is producer of gears, other components of propulsion technology and test systems. ... An engine is something that produces an effect from a given input. ... Air foil bearing-supported turbocharger cutaway made by Mohawk Innovative Technology Inc. ... A gearbox is an assembly of gears allowing the rotational speed of an input shaft to be changed to a different speed. ... Larsen and Tubro (L&T) is a civil engineering company in India. ... The T-72 is a Soviet-designed main battle tank that entered production in 1971. ...

The Arjun has a state of the art hydro-pneumatic suspension. This coupled with the Arjun's excellent stabilisation and fire control system, allows the tank superb first-hit probability. The hit probability has been observed to be better on moving targets than on stationary. In a test having 17 targets the moving tank had a cent percent hit. But, during the stationary testing it could hit 15 targets accurately. The range of the gun is accurate to 8 km and is one of the best in the world.

Its ride comfort is highly praised, though on the negative side, it is a more maintenance-intensive and expensive system, even if more capable, than the simpler and cheaper torsion bar system utilized on many tanks worldwide.

The Arjun has a capability to network with other tanks, thanks to its Battle Management System. In a search and engage operation, referred to as the "Wolfpack/Hunter Network", several Arjun Tanks can monitor an opponent and his moves, and eliminate him in a chase or ambuscade.

Variants

• A 155 mm self-propelled howitzer variant of the Arjun (labelled 'Bhim') has been prototyped by fitting the South African Denel T6 turret, which comes with the G5 howitzer to the Arjun chassis. This project has been delayed as DENEL has become embroiled in a corruption scandal in India, and hence the Indian Ministry of Defence has suspended the Bhim.

• A bridge layer based on the Arjun chassis has also been displayed by the DRDO. Developed in cooperation with Indian industry, this bridge layer is deemed superior to the T-72 based units, as it can handle a larger load and uses a "scissors type" bridgelaying method, which does not raise the bridge high up into the air, and hence make it visible from afar.

• Armoured engineering vehicles based on the Arjun are also assumed to be in development, as the Arjun induction will require units of a similar power to weight ratio or powerful enough to tow it, or recover it on the battlefield.

• Tank EX: A new tank obtained by coupling a T-72 chassis and an Arjun turret. Only prototypes have been built so far.

Denel Aerospace Systems is a division of Denel, the South African armaments production company. ... The G5 is a South African towed howitzer produced by Denel. ... Tank-Ex/MBT-EX is the code name to a new tank developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)in 2002,it rumored to be called as karan one of the heroes of the Indian epic The Mahabharata. // Tank-Ex/MBT-EX is the new prototype tank developed by...

Why is the Indian Army not keen to use the Arjun MBT?

- The tank did not have a good Fire Control System. Well that was in 1996.

Now the system installed in the tank is one of the best in the world, one of its kind.

- The Army says the tank is heavy. The present bridges the Indian Army has in various sectors can't stand the wait of Arjun, they barely take a weight of T-72. Even there are no transporters for transporting as the Arjun Tank is wider and heavier for the present system. Thus, there are a lot of extra expenditures.

Now let us see the tank that the Americans use is 70tonnes and the British use is 60tonnes. These tanks are even slower than Arjun in on road and off road speed. The tank that the Israelis use is even slower and heavier. So clearly, lot of armies of the world are happy with big tanks. The equipment that the army has is already old and is being replaced. So the requisite changes can be made with little cost overtures. The other thing about bridges most of the bridges in each of its sectors are quite old and have over the years been just reinforced and new ones are a much safer bet for the protection of our nation.

- The Controller and Auditor General of India in his report to the parliament had stated that to keep an Arjun Regiment operational additional capacity generation would have to be made and personal would have to be trained.Thus, increasing to the cost overtures.

Manpower training agreed is an extra cost factor. But this kind of system if implemented would similar to the one used by Americans and the British successfully. This extra cost factor is compensated by the fact if we concentrate on acquiring the Arjun and not expensive tanks like T90s which even the Russians are not inducting.

Going through the arguments one wonders why the Indian army placed an order for 1700 T90s from Russia. Knowing well that the tanks were even not being inducted by there army. The Russians are waiting for the next generation tank T95 that is coming in the years to come. Then some people say that if indigenous tanks are ordered the scope of corruption would be near to negligible. Various opportunistic and enlightened people in the Army are thus buying what they are buying.

Thanks to the government Arjun is getting is due induction in the forces. An another Indian Technology was thus thrust down upon the army.

Notes

References

• Arjun. FAS Military Analysis Network. Retrieved on July 12, 2006.

July 12 is the 193rd day (194th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 172 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

External links

• Arjun MBT Unofficial Trials: Indian Army Satisfied With Performance in Rajasthan
• Arjun MBT to Participate in Indian Army Desert War Games
• Arjun induction: move to support indigenisation process, in the Hindu
• 'Arjun' to roll out on August 7, in the Hindu
• 'Bhishma' handed over to Army, about India's T-90S tanks, in the Hindu
• Arjun Photos