Is the Arjun Main Battle Tank a White Elephant?

ARJUN - MBT Mark-1

Arjun MBT has taken several years to develop as a reliable and formidable advanced armoured vehicle for the Indian Army. Experts view it as one of the best contemporary tanks in operation today. Despite this, the army due to its misplaced idiosyncrasies has been backpedalling on user/comparative user trails in the past, which forced DRDO to initiate an accelerated user trails program of their own in 2008. In June 2008, DRDO conducted stringent trails under the watchful eye of the army and had successfully completed 6000 kms of gruelling runs in Rajasthan. However, earlier results had proved that the tank had some issues with the transmission but the vendor sorted this problem and the tank performed flawlessly without failing even once during the accelerated trails in Rajasthan. The 43rd Armoured Regiment operates the Arjun tank for well over a decade now and they are completely satisfied with it. Brigadier Chandra Mukesh remarked in his report after the AURCT, “The accuracy and consistency of the Arjun has been proved beyond doubt.”

Another extensive comparative trial was conducted by the Indian Army in March 2010, in which the Arjun was pitted against the T-90. Arjun emerged a conclusive winner from its showdown with the Russian tank and it demonstrated excellent performance under various circumstances, such as driving cross-country over rugged sand dunes, detecting, observing and quickly engaging targets, accurately hitting targets – both stationary and moving, with pin pointed accuracy. It displayed accurate and quick target acquisition capability during day and night in all types of weather and shortest possible reaction time during combat engagements. An army officer remarked that the Arjun could have performed even better, had it been operated by experienced crewmen. Nevertheless, the result was heartening vindication of DRDO technological capabilities, the Arjun MBT out-gunned and outran the T-90 on every crucial parameter. Besides, the Army was constantly changing its battlefield requirements which had a direct impact on Arjun's delivery timelines.
The Kanchan class armour of Arjun is probably the best of the technologies employed which derives its name from Kanchan Bagh, Hyderabad, where the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) is located. The amour has been able to take the brunt of high precision and deadly Israeli anti tank munitions. The T-72 Ajeya and the new T-90 MBT has shown alarming vulnerability in the Georgian conflict a couple of years ago. I wonder why our Army generals are making whoopee for such sitting ducks. There is lot of money involved in importing military hardware and they are also on the lookout for those foreign jaunts and romp.

Image: Arkem8

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INDIA'S MIGHTY - Surprise Package

I am a subscriber to Auto India Magazine published by the renowned Business India Group. In the February 2014 issue, I was pleasantly surprised to notice an article "India's Mighty" dedicated entirely on the Indian Army's Wheeled, Tracked and Submersible vehicles. The article was absorbing and very unique in its content since it was published in a magazine solely dedicated to cars & bikes. Frankly I am not embarrassed to say that I wasn't even aware of the existence of some vehicles in the list. Please note that the article focuses entirely on the carrier vehicle rather than the weapon systems they are carrying.

Auto India is one of the oldest magazine of its kind in India, it is a cute little magazine which periodically publishes very interesting articles such as this along with its regular features, it is also the cheapest magazine among the heap published in our country (just ₹ 50/-). Unfortunately, they don't maintain an online portal, hence I am posting this for the benefit of those who follow Indian defense activities. I have taken the liberty to tweak some information & images for your benefit however, I have endeavored to maintain the general pith and the graphical layout as in the original article.

Those who are interested can subscribe the magazine here: Auto India | (Article Credit: Adreesh Ghoshal, Auto India, Feb 2014)

TANKS

The Arjun MBT is developed by DRDO and built by Central Vehicle Research and Design Establishment (CVRDE) at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi. It weighs 59 tons, and powered by a 1400bhp MTU Ka 401 turbo charged diesel engine. The Arjun has a range of 450 Km and a 120mm rifled gun. It is protected by the indigenously developed Kanchan Class explosive reactive armour, and has a top speed of 72 Kph. It can fire APFSDS, LAHAT, HE, HEAT and HESH rounds. Additionally, it is armed with a 12.7mm AA machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.

This Ajeya is another example of technological co-operation between India and the erstwhile USSR. The Ajeya is based on the T72M, and is armed with a new 125mm 2A46M gun. The Ajeya MKII features upgraded Polish SKO-1T DRAWA-T fire control systems and thermal imagers, laser illumination warning system, DRDO Explosive Reactive Armour, a new GPS system, improved crew protection, a new 1000bhp PZL-WOLA engine and banks of 6 smoke grenade-launchers on each side. The plan is to reequip 1,500 Ajeya's MKII with updated technology.

The T72 was perhaps the world's most advanced battle tank design when introduced in the 70’s. The T72 is extremely lightweight, at 41 tonnes, and very small compared to Western MBTs. The army used the T72 tank to ravaging effect in the 1971 war. A 780bhp V12 diesel engine powers it. It is armed with a 125mm smoothbore main gun capable of firing anti-tank guided missiles, as well as standard ammunition, including HEAT and APFSDS rounds, a 7.62mm machine gun and a 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun. It has a range of 460 km and a top speed of 60 Kph.	The Bhishma is the Indian version of the T90. A 1000bhp Chelyabinsk diesel engine powers it. Standard protective measures include a blend of steel, composite armour, smoke mortars, Kontakt-5 explosive-reactive armour, & laser warning receivers, Nakidka camouflage and Shtora infrared ATGM jamming system. Weighing 52-tons, it is armed with a 125mm smoothbore gun that can also fire ATGMs. The auxiliary armament consists of a 12.7mm Kord HMG and a 7.62mm pintle mounted machine gun. India operates 2011 T90 and Bhishma tanks.
	ARTILLERY
The Tank-EX is a technology demonstrator that has been designed and built wholly by DRDO and CVRDE. It weighs 53 tons, and features top-secret composite armour technology. It is armed with the Arjun’s 120mm main gun, a LAHAT anti-tank guided missile tube, a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun, and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. It has the same 1000bhp diesel engine that is used on the T72M. It has a max speed of 60kph and max range of 480Km.	The Carrier Mortar Tracked self-propelled system is based on the Sarath with also has amphibious capabilities. It has an 81mm mortar mounted on a modified troop compartment and carries totally 108 mortar rounds. It is powered by a 300bhp engine, has a maximum speed of 65kph on road, 7Kph submerged and max range of 240Km. It can be operated by all mechanized infantry battalions providing instantaneous fire support, and also provide protection to the crew.
The Bhim self-propelled howitzer and is designed as a purpose built self-propelled artillery vehicle. Weighing 60 tons, it has a firing range of 52Km. It has a 14.5mm welded steel armour, and is armed with a Denel 155mm L52GS howitzer. It can carry 50 rounds and is powered by a 1400bhp Ka-501 engine that gives it a top speed of 60Kph and a max range of 450Km. It has a fully automatic ammunition loading system, as well as a turret-mounted auxiliary power unit.	The Pinaka is a Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) artillery system. Each launcher consists of 12 rockets and can be operated in manual, automatic tergetting or remote controlled mode. The rockets have a range of 60Km. Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralizing enemy positions on the mountain tops. The launcher is mounted on a Tatra Kolos truck, it has a maximum combat range of 120Km and a maximum speed of 80Kph.
	INFANTRY COMBAT VEHICLES/APC
The BM-30 Smerch (Russian for Tornado) is the precursor to Pinaka MBRL. It entered service in the Soviet Army in 1989. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, a number of these MBRL’s were sold to India. A 525bhp 12-cylinder diesel engine powers it, due to which it has a top speed of 60Kph and a maximum range of 850Km. The 300mm rockets have a range of 90Km.	The Sarath (Chariot of Victory) is a second-generation, amphibious infantry-fighting vehicle and Armoured Personnel Carrier developed and manufactured by the Ordinance Factory, Medak. A 300bhp UTD3 diesel engine powers the vehicle. It is armed with a 300mm canon and a Konkurs anti-tank guided missile. It has a maximum speed of 65kph on road and 7Kph submerged.
The Abhay Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) developed by DRDO and CVRDE weighs 23 tons and is manned by a crew of 3, and can carry 7 fully armed soldiers. It is armed with a 40mm Bofors automatic cannon, a 30mm automatic grenade launcher, a 7.62mm machine gun, and two anti-tank guided missile tubes. The Abhay is powered by a Greaves-Cotton TD2V8 diesel engine. It has a combat range of 400Km and maximum speed of 70Kph on road and 35Kph off-road.	The Cassapir has been specifically designed for anti-mine operations  as well as protection from small arms fire. It can absorb explosive energy equivalent of up to 100kg of TNT. It weighs 10.80 tons, and is powered by a 166bhp Atlantis OM352A turbo charged diesel engine. This 4X4 armoured personnel carrier has an operational range of 770Km, and is armed with three 7.62mm machine guns or a 20mm cannon. It can carry 14 soldiers.
The BMD-2 is an airborne infantry fighting vehicle, meaning it can be airdropped along with paratroopers. A 241bhp 5D-20 1598cc 5-cylinder diesel engine powers it. It is armed with a 30mm 2A42 multipurpose auto cannon, a anti tank guided missile tube and twin 7.62mm machine guns. It has a range of 450Km and can travel at 80Kph on road and 10Kph submerged.	This British built FV432 is one of the lightest and fastest Armoured Personnel Carrier in the Indian Army. It is an all-steel construction and weighs 15 tons and powered by a 240bhp Rolls-Royce K60 multi-fuel engine. The FV432 has a maximum speed of 52Kph and a maximum range of 580Km. It is powered by a 12.7mm machine gun and a 7.62 light machine gun (LMG).
The DRDO LAWV (Light Armoured Wheeled Vehicle) is a lightweight 4X4 armoured combat vehicle that is based on the Canadian LAVIII and the Swiss Piranha III 8X8. It has a 160bhp diesel engine thst gives it a top speed of 84Kph and a maximum range of 500Km. Its main weapon is the 7.62mm light machine gun (LMG).	The T62 Topas is jointly built by the former Czechoslovakia and Poland, the TOPAS is a tracked amphibious armoured personnel carrier. It is powered by a 300bhp 6-cylinder PV-6 diesel engine. It has a top speed of 60Kph on road and 10.8Kph submerged. It is armed with a 12.7mm machine gun, grenade launchers and a 7.62mm LMG.
The SKOT is an upgraded version of the TOPAS. It is powered by a 180bhp Tatra diesel V8 that gives it a top speed of 96Kph and a range of 710Km. It is armed with a 14.5mm PKV machine gun and 7.62 PKT machine gun. It can carry up to 18 Soldiers.	The BTR 152 was the first Soviet armoured vehicle produced specifically for export after World War II. It is powered by 110bhp petrol engine, has a top speed of 75Kph and a maximum range of 650 Km, and armed with twin 7.6 mm machine gun.
	SUPPORT VEHICLES
The SISU NASU (tracked piglet in Finnish), is a tracked articulated, all-terrain transport vehicle. It has a driver cab and a separate cargo wagon, similar to the ones used in a train. It is powered by a 152bhp 6.2 litre GM V8. It consists of 2 units, with all four tracks powered and it can carry up to 17 people.	The Akash Surface to Air Missile (SAM) is one of the most sophisticated missiles in the world. The entire radar and targeting systems is mounted on a T72 chassis. The Launcher can also be detached and towed by a Ashok Leyland Stallion truck, in case the T72 breaks down.
The NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier) is a tank destroyer built on a Sarath chassis. The NAMICA weighs 14.5 tons and can carry 14 missiles. The Nag missile is slated to replace all foreign anti-tank missiles in the Army. It can travel at up to 50Kph on road and 7Kph submerged.	The BT55/MT55KS is a Soviet built T55 tank that has been adapted to lay bridges over difficult terrain. The bridge system is controlled hydraulically and has a maximum load of 60 tons. The BT55 is powered by a 600bhp V12 diesel engine, has a maximum range of 580Km and can travel at 50Kph.
The AERV (Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle), is based on the T55 and the Vijyanta tanks. It was designed by DRDO and is manufactured by Ordinance Factory Medak. The AERV is used for spotting suitable locations to set up artillery posts, base camps and bridges.	The FV180 Combat Engineering Tractor is a British built amphibious vehicle use, used for towing tanks, artillery and constructin work. It weighs 17 tons, and is powered by a 320bhp Rolls-Royce C6TFR engine. It has a range of 480Km and a maximum speed of 55Kph on road and 15Kph submerged.
The WZT is an armoured recovery vehicle based on the T72M. The WZT-3M has a 850 hp PZL-Wola S12U 4-cylinder 38.9 litre diesel from PT-91 that gives it a maximum range of 450Km and a maximum speed of 60Kph. India operates 556 WZT2 -3 vehicles and are now being licence-produced by BEML.	DRDO worked on the Sarath IFV chassis to create the Armoured Ambulance vehicle. It has an inbuilt electrocardiogram unit (ECG), a ventilator, a suction unit, a direct current refrigerator to store medicines and drugs and a high capacity heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
The Hydrema (“Mine Munching Monster") consists of a flail that rotates at high speed in order to deflect mines. The blast force is deflected outwards by means of a thick metal deflector plate. It is powered by a 6-litre V6 diesel engine that is rated at 185bhp. It has a maximum speed of 42Kph. It has foam filled tires to protect them from fragmentation.	The Polish built multiple axle transport vehicle Kolos is one of the most important vehicles in the Indian Army. The 1764cc V12 diesel engine is rated at 266bhp and is multi-fuel capable. The chassis can be adapted to fit 6 or 8 wheel drive, depending on the requirements. It is used as a transporter-erector-launcher for the Agni, Prithvi, Prahaar and Brahmos missiles.

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