Image credits - Bharat Shakti
In 2004, the Indian Army’s third-generation main battle tank, known as the Arjun, was brought into service by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The tank was designed between 1986 and 1996. It bears the name Arjuna, after the valiant archer prince from the Indian epic Mahabharata. The first unit to be issued the Arjun was the 43rd Armoured Regiment, which was established in 2009.
Specifications:
With an overall length of 10.638 metres and a width of 3.864 metres, the armoured vehicle has remarkable specifications. With the gun in the back measuring 9.546 metres and the anti-aircraft gun mount measuring 3.03 metres, the combat vehicle appears to be large. With a weight of 58.5 tonnes and a strong V 90° turbocharged diesel engine that produces 1400 HP at 2400 rpm, it has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 24:1 HP/ton. In terms of mobility, the armoured vehicle can go up to 70 km/h, with the ability to move across difficult terrain at 40 km/h.
Its remarkable technical attributes include 1.4-meter shallow fording capabilities, double radii mechanical steering with neutral turn, and a hydrogas suspension system. The vehicle can traverse gradients of up to 35 degrees, span ditches of 2.43 metres, and overcome vertical impediments up to 0.914 metres. Outfitted with 39 rounds of FSAPDS/HESH ammunition, it is armed with a powerful 120 mm rifled gun that can fire six to eight rounds per minute. There is an anti-aircraft HCB 12.7 mm machine gun and a coaxial 7.62 mm Tk 715 A machine gun for added firepower.
Utilising a digital ballistic computer, an electro-hydraulic gun control system, and a director-type system, the vehicle has an advanced fire control system. With the addition of thermal imaging equipment for night vision, the vehicle’s capabilities are significantly enhanced. With a crew capacity of four, comprising the commander, gunner, loader, and driver, this armoured vehicle combines mobility, cutting-edge technology, and firepower to guarantee efficient performance in a range of operating scenarios.
Variants:
With the launch of the Arjun MK1 in 2004, the Indian Army gained access to a powerful 58.5-ton main battle tank as part of the Arjun tank series. This version included a 120 mm rifled cannon, Kanchan composite armour, and an in-house Fire Control System (FCS) with a digital ballistic computer. It was notable for having an active protection system based on a laser warning receiver.
Based on the Arjun, the Bhim SPH was a self-propelled artillery that used the South African Denel T6 turret. However, the development was cancelled as Denel was involved in a corruption scandal in India. Anticipating a procurement order from the Indian Army, the Arjun Catapult System was a successful 130 mm catapult placed on the Arjun chassis.
Using a “scissors-type” bridge laying technique to reduce visibility, the Arjun chassis was further expanded in its capabilities to become the basis for the Bridge Layer Tank (BLT) Arjun. Tank regiments received assistance from the Arjun Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle (ARRV) for combat recovery. A clever hybrid system was created by combining an Arjun turret with a T-72 chassis in the Tank EX experimental prototype. Arjun MK1A, a derivative built for increased mobility, survivability, and firepower, is the next in the Arjun’s evolution.
Exhibiting a fully redesigned turret featuring enhanced Kanchan armour and ERA, the MK1A boasted 89 major and minor improvements, such as the integration of innovative systems like the gun-launched SAMHO ATGM, a commander’s panoramic sight, and an uncooled thermal sight for hunter-killer missions. Coupled with more native material, this version included a track-width mine plough, a sophisticated terrain navigation system, and a remote-controlled weapon station. Interestingly, there is also an Unmanned Ground Vehicle version in the works. India’s dedication to developing its tank capabilities through ongoing innovation and technical integration is exemplified by the Arjun MK1A.
Operations:
The Arjun tank has been involved in plenty of Indian Army wargames since it came into service. The Army’s yearly winter drill saw the participation of the first two armoured units with Arjun tanks in 2010. In the same year, the Indian Army conducted a comprehensive comparative trial, challenging the newly inducted Arjun MK1 tanks against the imported T-90 tanks. The trial, which took place between February 19 and March 12, 2010, was divided into four stages: automobile run, fire trials, medium fording capability, and subsystem performance evaluation.
It was stated that the Arjun outperformed the T-90 in terms of performance, although the results were not made public until 2013. The Arjun demonstrated its capacity to detect and intercept moving targets while in motion, its zero-ingress medium fording capability, its multiple target discriminating capability, and its effective automobile performance—all of which were demonstrated in the difficult dunal desert terrain. However, in 2013, the Indian Army announced that it would not acquire any more Arjun tanks than the 124 that were originally intended, despite these successes. In a report published in 2014, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India pointed out that certain of the 2010 comparative trials’ requirements had been relaxed.