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Arjun-II MBT development l Updates & discussion.

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.

http://otvaga2004.ru/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/otvaga2004_Arjun_08.jpg
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.
 
Ministry of Defence
20-March, 2015 16:09 IST

Future Main Battle Tank

Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, a multidisciplinary Armoured Fighting Vehicle developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has already been inducted into the Indian Army. DRDO is presently engaged in the development of Arjun MBT Mk-II with 73 tank related improvements (including 18 major improvements), as on date, over MBT Mk-I. DRDO has taken proactive measures and decided to go-ahead with the following enabling & critical advance technologies development projects, so as to fill-up the technological gap and as well as to reduce the foreign dependence for all the future Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs):

• Design and development of engine.

• Design vetting of automatic transmission system, which is to be followed-up by a technology development project.

• All electric drive for gun control system.

• Active protection system.

• Missile development.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Kalikesh N. Singh Deo in Lok Sabha today.

DM/NAMPI/RAJ
 

It's all in Tamil
from BR


Loose translation for non-Tamil speakers, by a non-native Tamil speaker
smile.gif


Around 0:20 - Vanakkam and welcome to the show, .... Today is republic day and on this happy day, if you're wondering where we've brought you, we're at CVRDE at Avadi, where India's defence research org is. If you are curious about exactly what is special at this place, please follow us.

0:45 The first person we are going to meet is the Director of CVRDE, Dr. Pa. Shivakumar, we can ask him for lots of good information, come on in.

1:15: About DRDO, you said, we need to know about it. Can you tell us a bit of information about DRDO
Dr: Shivakumar: Well if you look at India, we have various ministries. One of the important ministries is the Defence ministry. In the ministry of Defence, we can say there are four major wings. One is Department of Production, another one is Quality Assurance, another one is all Services (i.e.) Army, Navy, Airforce etc., and the R&D wing, that is DRDO, and DRDO is headed by a Scientific Advisor to Defence Ministry, he is heading that. If you look at the main role of DRDO, it is to fulfill the requirements of all users, whether it is Army, Navy, Airforce, it has to be fulfilled. If you look at DRDO today, we have 52 labs total spread out throughout the country. Starting from the needs of the army soldier's cloth, to the nuclear sub, aircraft, missile, tank etc., whatever the user needs, all the research, development, trials, evaluation and delivery for production environment is done initially by DRDO, which is the main focus. Today, if you look at DRDO, the 54 labs, 1.78 lakhs crores amount R&D developed products are now in production, so it shows the strength of DRDO.

Around 2:45 (then she asks about the two tanks behind her, actually she asks about "the two matters")
If you look at India, there are two main projects. One is Main Battle Tank, Arjun, another is light combat aircraft, Tejas. CVRDE is proud to be involved in both projects. MBT Arjun Mark - I, that's what you're looking at over here (on right side). This one, after all kinds of trials were finished and the user acceptance trials, we've delivered 2 regiments, almost 120 tanks, deployed to the border and operational. Army is very happy about them. After looking the the performance though, Army wanted some more improvements, because today world is improving a lot, so after you add the latest technologies, you can bring about another tank, so here we have Arjun mark II (on left side) -- this has 19 major improvements and 69 minor improvement points. So total 85 improvements together, we added on this tank (Mark I) and we made it as a MBT Mark II. The speciality is that within 2 years, we could come out with a product. So for Arjun mark I, people say we took 20 years for it, but if you look today, we are very strong, because we learnt how to do it all and so we can prove that we can do it fast, in just 2 years we produced this new tank and it is almost done with user trials and MBT Mark II, we are expecting more numbers shortly.

4:00 Ok, so Indian Army will start using this weapon soon?
Dr. S: definitely
So, could you let us know about the special features of this tank (MBT mark II)
Major thing if you look, you may have seen missiles, like ones from DRDO are surface to surface, surface to air etc. But now we have tank fired missiles, we actually proved there is such a thing on Arjun in 2004. Army said we want this for production and so one of the important capabilities of Mark II is that it can fire missiles. Besides that, there is this thing called Commanders Panoramic Sight. Tank's most important leader is the commander. He has to know what is happening with 360 degree surveillance, should be able to see at day or night, so all these improvements, we have done in the commander's panoramic sight. One more improvement is the RCWS - Remote controlled weapons system, that is the loader can sit inside and can fire at low flying targets. Besides all this, look at the front and you'll see a track with mine plow. If you look, mines are the biggest problem today for the army. Not only outsiders, but also insiders create problems. So to remove these mines out of the way, we have this track with mine plow. One more thing is that if you see this (indicates a shape) shaped thing on top on the chassis and turret, that is the ERA - explosive reactive armor. Its purpose is, if you have a chemical energy weapon, how to protect the tank. We've made many improvements like this. The Arjun MBT mark I weight is 62 tons, mark II is 68 tons, but performance of Mark II is still better than Mark I, so we've done improvements in the mobility also.

Reporter: Ok, you've told us how you've put the best improvements in here, what else is new and improved in the Indian Army in 2015, is there something you are going to implement?
Dr. S: If you look at manned vehicles, we have Arjun Mark I and Mark II, but we are also planning for the futuristic tank. It can be the next generation main battle tank. How we are going to design and produce the next gen MBT, we've already done some feasibility studies, we've almost started development of subsystems also. So that is the future plan.

Reporter: So from your point of view, if you compare India with other countries, where do you think we've improved?
Dr. S: Good example is Arjun MBT Mark II. Today if you look around the world, for this type of tank technologies, I'm proud to say that Arjun Mark II is one of the leading ones. That shows we have good technologies, and within DRDO, CVRDE, combat vehicle development, we can do it very fast too, prime example is mark II. So definitely from tank point of view, we're definitely ahead.

7:00
Reporter: Ok, so R&D usually takes long time, but you've managed to get this done in a short time, so how do you make this a success.
Dr. S: Normally, for research, it takes some time to come to some stage. Now that we've attained that stage, from now on, we can deliver very fast. That's why I said, Arjun Mark II - 2 years, Catapult - 1 year, reason we can do all this is because we have sound basics.

Reporter: on this republic day, special occasion, what would you like to tell the audience.
Dr. S: First thing we need from education perspective is a questioning capability (i.e.) students should ask questions. Students are all studying and getting good marks, but what is lacking compared to other countries is we lack the questioning mindset, that is the first point. Second point is that basic research is missing. Basic science research. So younger generation should concentrate more on R&D, it is very essential from country's point of view. So Kalam says that by 2020, India should become a developed country then, basic research is very important.
 
from BR


Loose translation for non-Tamil speakers, by a non-native Tamil speaker
smile.gif


Around 0:20 - Vanakkam and welcome to the show, .... Today is republic day and on this happy day, if you're wondering where we've brought you, we're at CVRDE at Avadi, where India's defence research org is. If you are curious about exactly what is special at this place, please follow us.

0:45 The first person we are going to meet is the Director of CVRDE, Dr. Pa. Shivakumar, we can ask him for lots of good information, come on in.

1:15: About DRDO, you said, we need to know about it. Can you tell us a bit of information about DRDO
Dr: Shivakumar: Well if you look at India, we have various ministries. One of the important ministries is the Defence ministry. In the ministry of Defence, we can say there are four major wings. One is Department of Production, another one is Quality Assurance, another one is all Services (i.e.) Army, Navy, Airforce etc., and the R&D wing, that is DRDO, and DRDO is headed by a Scientific Advisor to Defence Ministry, he is heading that. If you look at the main role of DRDO, it is to fulfill the requirements of all users, whether it is Army, Navy, Airforce, it has to be fulfilled. If you look at DRDO today, we have 52 labs total spread out throughout the country. Starting from the needs of the army soldier's cloth, to the nuclear sub, aircraft, missile, tank etc., whatever the user needs, all the research, development, trials, evaluation and delivery for production environment is done initially by DRDO, which is the main focus. Today, if you look at DRDO, the 54 labs, 1.78 lakhs crores amount R&D developed products are now in production, so it shows the strength of DRDO.

Around 2:45 (then she asks about the two tanks behind her, actually she asks about "the two matters")
If you look at India, there are two main projects. One is Main Battle Tank, Arjun, another is light combat aircraft, Tejas. CVRDE is proud to be involved in both projects. MBT Arjun Mark - I, that's what you're looking at over here (on right side). This one, after all kinds of trials were finished and the user acceptance trials, we've delivered 2 regiments, almost 120 tanks, deployed to the border and operational. Army is very happy about them. After looking the the performance though, Army wanted some more improvements, because today world is improving a lot, so after you add the latest technologies, you can bring about another tank, so here we have Arjun mark II (on left side) -- this has 19 major improvements and 69 minor improvement points. So total 85 improvements together, we added on this tank (Mark I) and we made it as a MBT Mark II. The speciality is that within 2 years, we could come out with a product. So for Arjun mark I, people say we took 20 years for it, but if you look today, we are very strong, because we learnt how to do it all and so we can prove that we can do it fast, in just 2 years we produced this new tank and it is almost done with user trials and MBT Mark II, we are expecting more numbers shortly.

4:00 Ok, so Indian Army will start using this weapon soon?
Dr. S: definitely
So, could you let us know about the special features of this tank (MBT mark II)
Major thing if you look, you may have seen missiles, like ones from DRDO are surface to surface, surface to air etc. But now we have tank fired missiles, we actually proved there is such a thing on Arjun in 2004. Army said we want this for production and so one of the important capabilities of Mark II is that it can fire missiles. Besides that, there is this thing called Commanders Panoramic Sight. Tank's most important leader is the commander. He has to know what is happening with 360 degree surveillance, should be able to see at day or night, so all these improvements, we have done in the commander's panoramic sight. One more improvement is the RCWS - Remote controlled weapons system, that is the loader can sit inside and can fire at low flying targets. Besides all this, look at the front and you'll see a track with mine plow. If you look, mines are the biggest problem today for the army. Not only outsiders, but also insiders create problems. So to remove these mines out of the way, we have this track with mine plow. One more thing is that if you see this (indicates a shape) shaped thing on top on the chassis and turret, that is the ERA - explosive reactive armor. Its purpose is, if you have a chemical energy weapon, how to protect the tank. We've made many improvements like this. The Arjun MBT mark I weight is 62 tons, mark II is 68 tons, but performance of Mark II is still better than Mark I, so we've done improvements in the mobility also.

Reporter: Ok, you've told us how you've put the best improvements in here, what else is new and improved in the Indian Army in 2015, is there something you are going to implement?
Dr. S: If you look at manned vehicles, we have Arjun Mark I and Mark II, but we are also planning for the futuristic tank. It can be the next generation main battle tank. How we are going to design and produce the next gen MBT, we've already done some feasibility studies, we've almost started development of subsystems also. So that is the future plan.

Reporter: So from your point of view, if you compare India with other countries, where do you think we've improved?
Dr. S: Good example is Arjun MBT Mark II. Today if you look around the world, for this type of tank technologies, I'm proud to say that Arjun Mark II is one of the leading ones. That shows we have good technologies, and within DRDO, CVRDE, combat vehicle development, we can do it very fast too, prime example is mark II. So definitely from tank point of view, we're definitely ahead.

7:00
Reporter: Ok, so R&D usually takes long time, but you've managed to get this done in a short time, so how do you make this a success.
Dr. S: Normally, for research, it takes some time to come to some stage. Now that we've attained that stage, from now on, we can deliver very fast. That's why I said, Arjun Mark II - 2 years, Catapult - 1 year, reason we can do all this is because we have sound basics.

Reporter: on this republic day, special occasion, what would you like to tell the audience.
Dr. S: First thing we need from education perspective is a questioning capability (i.e.) students should ask questions. Students are all studying and getting good marks, but what is lacking compared to other countries is we lack the questioning mindset, that is the first point. Second point is that basic research is missing. Basic science research. So younger generation should concentrate more on R&D, it is very essential from country's point of view. So Kalam says that by 2020, India should become a developed country then, basic research is very important.

Thanks man. Your effort is much appreciated
 
Army’s fleet of Arjun tanks face technical issues
Thursday, April 30, 2015

The Army is facing major technical issues with its ‘indigenous’ Arjun tanks, as a significant proportion of its fleet has become inoperable in recent months and are non-serviceable due to continued maintenance problems.
3_img130415104522.jpg


The Army is facing major technical issues with its ‘indigenous’ Arjun tanks, as a significant proportion of its fleet has become inoperable in recent months and are non-serviceable due to continued maintenance problems.

The Army, which reluctantly inducted 124 tanks from 2009, after the UPA government insisted that a token number have to be ordered to keep the tank development programme viable, has of late been having quality problems with the fleet.
The defence minister has been apprised of the issue. Sources said that the Army’s opinion is that while a large number of tanks are not operational due to technical defects, the fleet as such is not combat worthy due to reliability issues. “A number of tanks are not operational currently as transfer of technology (ToT) of several imported systems fitted onboard has not been done,” an Army official said.

The Army is surprised that quality issues have started arising even though the entire fleet came into service as recently as 2013 when deliveries ended. Given that the tanks are highly dependent on foreign equipment — 60% of the tank is imported — the failure to get maintenance technology means that the systems have to be sent abroad for even minor repairs.

It is believed that a meeting on the low serviceability rate of the Arjun fleet was conducted at South Block recently and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is aware of the problems. The Army has identified 96 problems, including 18 major ones. The minister has been keen to increase the efficiency of existing platforms available with the military given that there is a paucity of funds to procure new systems.

In IAF, he has personally intervened to ensure that the availability rate of the Su 30 fleet improves by at least 10%. A similar approach is being taken for the Army too. DRDO is, meanwhile, working on the development of a successor in the form of the Arjun Mk II.
 
The spares issues are being faced by all the services due to the last government. This is being addressed or has been addressed.
 
supposedly new apfsds roudn for Arjun, still the same penetration values i.e. 300 mm @ 2000m.. where is improvement?

9_41_e1425320924680.jpg



old round with same specs...

120mm+APFSDS+Round-1.jpg

300 mm in 2km is no good.Better import Israeli AFSPDS.
 

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