WILL THE TANK «ARJUN» MK.II COMPETITOR T-90S «BISHMA»?
Get enough experience in the production license of armored vehicles (armored vehicles) in the 70-80-ies. the last century, Indian engineers have attempted to start work in creating your own samples armored vehicles, including main tank «Arjun». Tactical and technical requirements for the development of the new tank Indian Army developed in 1972. It was intended to replace the tanks «Vijayanta», and in the Indian Research Institute CVRDE combat vehicles in 1974 were started design work on the new machine. By the time the first prototype tank «Arjun» was introduced in April 1984, on the project has already been spent 300 million. Indian rupees (approximately $ 6 million.).
Tank «Arjun» Mk.I
It looked like one of the first prototypes of the tank «Arjun» Mk.ll
For a new project, as usual, joined many foreign companies, including German «Krauss-Maffei», MTU (engine), «Renk» (automatic transmission), «Diehl» (caterpillars) and others.
The main problems when creating a new machine having the engine. Originally it was planned to install a gas turbine engine capacity of 1500 hp, but later it was decided to use the newly developed 12-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine with variable compression ratio with the same capacity. However, the first model of the engine only developed 500 hp Its further development allowed to increase this figure to 1,000 hp when installing the turbo.
Tank «Arjun» had hydropneumatic suspension. Truckee caterpillar tracks made of aluminum alloy with rubber mount and rubber pads. Track tension mechanism equipped with built-in overload protection.
Were originally built six prototypes of the tank «Arjun», equipped with the German diesel MTU MB838 Ka-501 of 1400 hp with automatic transmission «Renk». All prototypes were steel hull and turret, but Prototyping performance, without the use of armor.
Serial machines were produced with the new combined armor «Kanchan», developed by the Laboratory of Metallurgy Ministry of Defence of India (Indian Defence Metallurgical Laboratory). It is manufactured by «Mishra Dhatu Nigam». Thermal sighting equipment was developed by DRDO.
The fire control system (FCS) tank «Arjun», consisting of a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, thermal sight, stabilized panoramic sight of the tank commander, additional telescopic sight and electronic components, is guaranteed to provide a high probability of getting the first shot. Estimated CVRDE, automated MSA third generation in a complex with a 120-mm rifled gun (also developed in India) and the gun with electronic control allows the gunner to detect, identify, track and successfully hit the moving targets when shooting on the move.
The main gunner's sight combines daytime, thermal and laser rangefinder channels and a single two-axis stabilized head mirror on all three channels. Day sight has two fixed large field of vision. The thermal sight enables the detection of targets gunners and tank commanders in complete darkness and poor visibility conditions (smoke, fog, snow, rain, etc.).
Commander's panoramic sight allows him to make a circular battlefield surveillance without turning his head and his eyes on the sight and without rotation of the tower. The field of view of the sight stabilized in two planes by means of a gyroscope mounted on a platform of the head of the mirror. The sight has two fixed large field of vision.
Ballistic calculator determines the initial settings for shooting in accordance with the information provided by a variety of automatic sensors installed in the car and on manual data entry. It produces electrical signals proportional to the need for firing angles of elevation and azimuth.
Tank «Arjun» Mk.l sea trials
To improve the accuracy of shooting MSA has a window overlap, which allows for the firing of the gun only when it is in a certain position in accordance with signals ballistic computer (on Russian tanks used for this electronic unit resolution shot).
The machine is armed with a 120mm rifled gun, for which the Indian Explosives Research Institute in Pune have been developed unitary shots with partially burned sleeve with armor-piercing, cumulative, armor-piercing with plastic explosives and smoke shells. Powder charge high-energy developed by the same institution, allows you to tell a high initial velocity projectiles and thus providing them with high armor. In addition to the previously mentioned munitions now developed a special protivovertoletny shell. The gun is made of special steel, manufactured using the technology of electroslag remelting, and is equipped with a heat-insulating casing and ejector. Together with him paired 7.62-mm machine gun. 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun is designed to combat low-flying targets.
Drives turret and gun prototypes were electromechanical supplied by FWM from Germany. Production tanks «Arjun» equipped with electrohydraulic actuators, which significantly reduced Pozharovzryvoopasnost in the fighting compartment. On both sides of the tower blocks set devyatistvolnye smoke grenade with five trunks on top and four from the bottom.
Production tanks «Arjun» were equipped with a diesel engine, developing power 1400 hp in combination with a semi-automatic planetary transmission with four forward gears and two reverse, designed by local engineers. Braking is done quick disc brakes with hydraulic drive.
The tank has a system of collective NBC protection, designed and created the atomic research center in Bhabha (BARC - Atomic Research Centre). To improve the survivability on the battlefield machine has an automatic fire extinguishing system. Ammunition removed in waterproof containers to reduce the possibility of fire.
In March 1993, the Indian media reported that the tank «Arjun» successfully completed the test. During a demonstration in the desert Rajasthan in western India, two prototype cars struck still and moving targets at ranges of 800 to 2100 m, to overcome various obstacles, steep climbs 60% and maneuvered in areas obstacles. The prototypes were built at heavy engineering HVF (Heavy Vehicle Factory) in Avadi.
New Indian tank «Arjun» Mk.II
In mid-1998, it was announced that the total number of tanks constructed «Arjun» amounted to 32 units. This includes 12 prototypes, two tanks with torsion bar suspension, one test, one ARV and one experimental tank «Arjun» Mk.II. Last shown at the exhibition of arms «Defexpo India 2002", held in New Delhi in February 2002. In the future, the Indian military plans to issue on tank chassis «Arjun» Bram engineering machinery ERV, armored vehicle launched bridge BLT, anti-aircraft missile or anti-aircraft artillery system, self-propelled artillery field artillery.
Presented at the exhibition in 2002 experienced tank «Arjun» Mk.II little fundamentally different from its predecessor tank «Arjun» Mk.I. Therefore, the work on improving the car Indian engineers continued. But the introduction of the National Indian troops in tanks dragged on for decades. In the early 2000s, the Indian Army has signed a contract for the purchase of 124 tanks «Arjun» Mk.I, today was delivered 116 cars, 8 more machines must be received during the current year. However, step-by-step machine introduced more and more improvements. Ultimately tank «Arjun» Mk.I received a total of 89 improvements and enhancements, and then in the Indian Army was finally decided to assign the name of the tank «Arjun» Mk.II. 89 These improvements were introduced in the car not only to meet the challenges faced during the testing and operation of the tank «Arjun» Mk.I, but also to meet the future requirements of the Indian Army.
In the course of work on the improvement of the tank on the new modification «Arjun» Mk.II were increased rates of protection, firepower, mobility, and command control.
With regard to improving the security of the tank designers have equipped the car explosive reactive armor (ERA). DZ elements were installed on the front of the chassis, on the body side skirts, on the front part and the sides of the tower.The very design of side skirts also been changed. In addition tank «Arjun» Mk.II equipped Mine knife trawl GKh.
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Modernized tank was equipped with a system of optical-electronic suppression, which consists of a set of sensors detect the laser irradiation, two blocks launchers launch smoke (aerosol) grenade launchers 8 each, and control equipment. Blocks launchers mounted on the sides of the tower in the aft part of it. In this case, the blocks are made rotary launchers with electric. Four laser radiation detecting sensor mounted at the corners at the roof of the tower.
In the short term plan to equip the tank «Arjun» Mk.II and active protection system APS, capable of destroying by physical destruction of warheads approaching the tank ammunition. Most likely, it will be the Israeli Active Protection System «Trophy».
To improve the survival tank driver with landmine or improvised explosive devices, he made an outboard seat to the top of the cabinet, by type, as now it is done on the German tanks «Leopard 2A6M» and later its modifications.
Only measures to increase the protection of the tank «Arjun» Mk.II resulted in an increase in weight of the machine to 3 tons.
Firepower tank «Arjun» Mk.II enhanced by the inclusion in the armament of the new automated fire control system, guided weapons, additional weapons as part of a remote controlled weapon stations.
Guided weapons development uses Israeli guided missile LAHAT laser-guided. Launch is done through the barrel of a tank 120-mm rifled gun.
Tank commander «Arjun» Mk.II at its disposal has a new panoramic sight with a combined thermal channel.In addition, the new commander's sight provides tank commander mode hunter-killer («hunter-killer").
On the roof of the tower a new modification of the tank «Arjun» installed remotely controlled weapon module with 12.7-mm machine gun. Management module is carried out from a place charging. Earlier firing anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the turret «Arjun» Mk.l, had to open the door to charge and fire the gun without being under the protection of armor.
According to Indian developers armored vehicles, now under development of new ammunition for the main tank weapons «Arjun» Mk.II, which have a higher power of action than currently in use. In addition, the leadership of the Indian Army has requested from its Israeli partners, to develop a set of guided weapons, expanding the range of types of warheads for guided missiles LAHAT.
In order to maintain the mobility of the tank at the same level, offsetting a 5-ton weight gain, have implemented several measures to improve the power plant, transmission and chassis. The power plant has been left in the same composition - MTU engine with transmission «Renk». However, during testing of the tank and its operation has been continuously improved air cleaning system and cooling system, gradually intensified as the engine itself and the gearbox. For a new modification of the tank «Arjun» were changed final drives, which was increased gear ratio from 4.4 to 5.3. This reduced the maximum speed of the tank to 58.5 km / h, but increased torque and traction on the drive wheels and tracks that helped to compensate for the increased weight of the tank. According to experts CVRDE, tank «Arjun» Mk.II has better acceleration capabilities than previous modifications, for the same fuel consumption.
To ensure that all previous resource chassis components with the increased weight of the tank, has been improved and suspension. To integrate the new suspension on the tank designers had to design a new building for the modernized tank. In use steel chassis supporting rollers slightly larger diameter than the previous modification of the tank.
To save the average specific pressure of the tank at the same level was used caterpillar with a new larger width of track. Truckee imported from Germany.
For the operation of systems tank parked without starting the main engine for additional power supply tank it was a more powerful auxiliary power unit (APU). Its capacity was increased from 4.5 kW to 8 kW. Zaman APU is installed on the right side of the tower, thus it is over power plant tank. According to the experience of combat use of American tanks type «Abrams» M1A2, which is located just as APU, there is a danger of complete combustion of the tank after the defeat of the APU from small arms or shell fragments.
In order to improve the controllability command tank and tank units to «Arjun» Mk.II equipped with modern digital communication systems, satellite GPS navigation systems and other equipment.
In 2012, the Indian landfills Indian military were conducted comparative tests of T-72M1M, T-90S «Bishma» and «Arjun» Mk.II. As reported in the trial was attended by the best crews and technicians. Indian media exploded about reports that the Indian tank on all counts bypassed Russian T-90S. One might wonder if the Indian media wrote something else. Criticism own equipment (especially the non-constructive) is possible only in the Russian media. Begs other questions, since the tank is so good, then why did the Indian Army orders for their needs only 116 such tanks, and T-90S - more than a thousand?
New Indian tank «Arjun» Mk.II at a military parade
As follows from the same Indian media, the tank «Arjun» Mk.II very good, but too heavy. This limits the regions where it can be used and makes it unsuitable with regard to operational requirements of the Indian Army to the main tank. The mass of the tank 67 tons fatally limited operational efficiency of the tank.In spite of the fact that the new «Arjun» in all respects "surpassed" the Russian T-90S, it turned out that it can not be sent to perform tasks to the border with Pakistan, he will not be able to effectively pass through an area filled with natural and / or artificial obstacles in the regions crossed by rivers and canals. And this is contrary to the national doctrine, according to which the armored units are planned for mobile offensive operations deep in enemy territory. In contrast to the T-72 and T-90, which are easy to airlift in areas at high altitude above sea level, tanks «Arjun» can not be airlifted transport aircraft IL-76 and, moreover, C-130J Indian Air Force. Transport aircraft C-17 «Globemaster», which have yet to get into the Indian Air Force (IAF), have a maximum capacity of 75 tons, which again is not enough to carry 67-ton «Arjun» Mk.ll with accessories.
T-90S "Bishma" screened shortly before his shipment to India, at an arms fair «REA-2002" in Nizhny Tagil
Thus, despite the best efforts of the team of designers and scientists tank «Arjun» unlikely ever to be ordered in large quantities by the Indian army, which needs today are about 3,500 tanks. General orders for tanks «Arjun» today are 240 cars (124 and 116 Mk.l Mk.ll).
According to the state of affairs at the moment, the first «Arjun» Mk.ll start off the production line at the factory HVF Avadi in 30 months after placing your order. The order itself, probably this year will be issued. Thus, the first tanks «Arjun» new modification will come into operation only in 2016. At the factory HVF planned production of 30 tanks a year. It turns out that all 116 tanks will be delivered by 2020. If work on the development of prospective Indian tank FMBT company DRDO will begin right now, the first tanks could appear ready for use in the army about in 2025. If things go well, as well as with the tank «Arjun», then even later - 2030-2035 gg. And until then Indian Army will carry out their tasks in tanks T-90S «Bishma» Russian design and upgraded T-72M1M «Ajeya», which have the necessary infrastructure in India for training, production and repair.