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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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ARTILLERY
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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INFANTRY COMBAT VEHICLES/APC
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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SUPPORT VEHICLES
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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