Jason bourne
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Arjun mk-2 with latest improvements might be ready for Army trials in June this year, but there has been some encouraging development in countries Main battle Tanks saga. Delays in putting down requirements for the FMBT, countries next generation tank which Indian army hopes to field by 2020 might see rise of Arjun MK-3.
Arjun MK-3 if sources are to be believed will have some dozen improvements over Arjun MK-2 in terms of features in battlefield communication and engine refinement. DRDO is already working on a 1500 BHP engine for Arjun MBT and a further improved variant of it will also power FMBT in Future.
Army after lengthy trails for years refused to purchase Arjun MBT due to technical issues with the Tank, which DRDO took several years to remove all the flaws of the tank to make it acceptable to the Indian army, but Army had placed orders for only 126 tanks in first batch of Arjun MK-1 and later placed further orders for 126 tanks in Arjun MK-2 configuration which required some major and minor improvements in the tanks fire power and Armor.
Arjun MK-3 orders might come has a positive response from the Indian army , since DRDO time and again had maintained that orders less then 500 will the make the project development cost unrecoverable . further orders of 126 tanks will bring the total orders close to the required numbers and currently DRDO is also all set to revive the stalled self-propelled howitzer BHIM , which will have a Arjun MBT chassis .
DRDO will select the Gun for self-propelled howitzer by end of this year and integration and user trials should take place next year.
Arjun MK-3 might be a reality now | idrw.org