KS
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Arjun a has a bigger engine but weights over 13 tonnes more than Al Khalid.
Al Khalid has a power-to-weight ratio of 26.66 hp/tonne gives acceleration from 0 to 32 km/h (0 to 20 mph) in 10 seconds and a maximum speed of 70 km/h, the speed and agility also helping to improve survivability which is greater than that of Arjun's.
The 1400 HP is for Mk II. An indigenous.lighter engine pumping out 1500 HP has already been developed and they are ready for trials. And even the MkI engine gives a healthy 24 hp/ton. Not a big difference considering that most of the tanks have a power/weight ratio in this bracket.
Development of Improved Indian Arjun Complete: DRDO - Defense News
Arjun has a 120mm main rifled tank gun which has to be loaded "mannually" where Al Khalid has an Automatic Loading 125mm smooth bore gun.
Therein lies the advantage. The 120 mms rifles is one of the best in its class and it is universally acknowledged that rifled guns give a better range, accuracy and more KE than the smooth bores.
And the manual loading has its advantages too.There have been cases of splinters jamming the auto-loader and the tanks are left unusable till the service crew gets their hands on it. Less of that problem in manual loading.
Al Khalid uses Data link which can communicate Tank footage and vital coordinates with other units around ie UAV/UCAVs , APCs , Fighter Jets , Cobra Gunships and artilliry command centers.
Arjun has no Data link , not that i am aware of at least !
I am here to make you aware of that
However, the specialty of the tank lies in its battlefield management system (BMS) which facilitates tactical command as well as control and communications between one tank and the rest of the team.
http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/1796701917IPCS-Special-Report-23.pdf
Al Khalid has a Rate of fire/minute of 8 where Arjun's Rate of fire/minute is 6.
Arjun's rate of fire is 6-8 according to the most conservative estimates. Not just 6.
Al Khalid has been in Mass production which Arjun is yet to see , so far as many as 220 Al Khalid and Al Khalid 01 have been delivered to Pakistan Army.
If 220 numbers qualify as mass production, then I guess Arjun too is in mass production. Confirmed orders for 248 tanks are being fulfilled and once the MkII is ready get ready to see the 'real' mass production.
Al Khalid takes only 3 crew to operate the Machine while Arjun Takes 4 hence making it more expensive to operate , heavy and risks more lives.
More expensive to operate ?? You must be kidding - the auto loader needs maintenance whereas manual loader needs no maintenance relatively. More expensive - nope .Heavy risks - not exactly. If you have a jammed autoloader in the middle of the battle you are as good as a smoked turkey.
Now coming onto the salient features of Arjun :
1) Superior armament comprising of APFSDS (Kinetic Energy rounds), HEAT, HESH and the superior LAHAT missile.
2) KANCHAN composite armor said to be one of the best in the world and it took a direct hit from T 72 from point blank range with no apparent damage.
A new NERA armor being integrated,
A new honeycomb design Non-explosive and non-energetic reactive armour (NERA) armour is being tested on the Arjun and is reported to be working perfectly.
3)Advanced defensive suites to enhance survivalability in case of being hit - Advanced Laser Warning and Countermeasure System (ALWCS) and Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) already integrated and was said to be tested sucessfully in the trials.
Arjun Tank
4) The superior hydro-pneumatic suspension compared to the torsion bars on AK giving more accuracy while firing on the move.
5) Shaped charges for APS.