DRDO now begging the Army to place orders on Arjun Tanks

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

https://twitter.com/x/status/974959576230584321

Nearly four years after the Indian Army received clearance from the Ministry of Defence to sign up for 118 of the indigenous Arjun Mk.II main battle tank developed by the DRDO, an actual order remains acutely elusive. And it now emerges that the DRDO is virtually pleading with the Army to go ahead and place the order so it can accelerate the process of moving from tank prototype to mass production. The Army, though, says it has its reasons not to sign on the dotted line yet.

The Arjun Mk.II, an improved version of the Arjun (of which the Indian Army operates 124 tanks across two regiments), was meant to be the solution to the program’s singularly tough run of luck. Last year, Livefist reported on what was only the latest in a history of hurdles (do read for a fuller picture of the project’s troubled history) that had met the project, literally stopping it in its tracks. A new report in Parliament now throws fresh light on Project Arjun’s troubles — its capacity to fire missiles at other tanks.

While the Army is said to have approved 72 desired improvements in trials that lasted from July 2012-September 2015, the Arjun Mk.II hasn’t demonstrated the capability to fire anti-tank missiles satisfactorily yet. Troubles on this front started in 2013 when the chosen Israeli LAHAT weapon failed to meet acceptance test parameters (ATP) of the Army. The following year it was virtually dropped from consideration, with the DRDO deciding to develop an in-house anti-tank missile for the Arjun. It now turns out that the Israeli LAHAT may be back in consideration with assurances of an ‘improved’ version that can meet the Indian Army’s requirements.

The DRDO has notified Parliament that it is urging the Army to release a contractual order on the premise that the Arjun Mk.II will be production ready by 2021-22, and that the improved weapon can be retrofitted by that time. The Army isn’t enthused just yet, with sources saying they are waiting for a minimum basic missile capability demonstration before proceeding to place the order.

The re-entry of the Israeli LAHAT system into consideration is significant too and presents a dilemma to the DRDO. The LAHAT has had a shot with the Arjun and failed to perform satisfactorily, but the fact that it is still even being looked at suggests time pressures. The very fact that the DRDO itself is offering up the option of either an improved LAHAT or its own ATGM for the Arjun suggests it is wary of any further delays derailing a program that has already been postponed beyond measure and memory.

The DRDO has also officially informed Parliament that its tube-launched anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) for the Arjun Mk.II is among its sanctioned projects for the year 2017-18. The laser homing tube launched 120mm missile is expected to be ready for user trials in 2018-19.

Last year, Livefist reported on an unprecedented weight reduction exercise that had been ordered by the Army, throwing the Arjun Mk.II’s path to production plan out of gear. It was reported recently that the DRDO is fighting an expectedly losing battle on that front too.


https://www.livefistdefence.com/201...ank-order-over-missile-firing-capability.html

 

[Joe Shearer]

Contrary to media reports, the Russian lobby is strong and flourishing in India.

 

[war&peace]

Indian Army seems to decide based on merit instead of some misplaced sense of nationalism.

 

[hussain0216]

Its actually embarrassing the military should not be forced to induct poorly made junk just because of ego.

They have REPEATEDLY highlighted the shortcomings of projects such as Tejas, Arjun etc only to be repeatedly ignored by government for nationalist egosnd forced to make nominal orders

This then places the military in a tough situation where they have to accept the indian junk but then make alternative plans to cover the job the indian junk like Tejas or Arjun cant do

Its actually very sad for the indian military, as the waste of money on these projects hinders the replacement of obsolete indian equipment not that its bad for Pakistan

 

[Joe Shearer]

Indian Army seems to decide based on merit instead of some misplaced sense of nationalism.

How you came to that conclusion might prove an interesting read.

 

[faithfulguy]

Its actually embarrassing the military should not be forced to induct poorly made junk just because of ego.

They have REPEATEDLY highlighted the shortcomings of projects such as Tejas, Arjun etc only to be repeatedly ignored by government for nationalist egosnd forced to make nominal orders

This then places the military in a tough situation where they have to accept the indian junk but then make alternative plans to cover the job the indian junk like Tejas or Arjun cant do

Its actually very sad for the indian military, as the waste of money on these projects hinders the replacement of obsolete indian equipment not that its bad for Pakistan

The Indian military industrial complex, also known as DRDO, is a combination of arrogance and cheap. India claims to be a democracy. But in military equipments, it’s a socialist dictatorship where the government is forcing weapons onto the military.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Its actually embarrassing the military should not be forced to induct poorly made junk just because of ego.

They have REPEATEDLY highlighted the shortcomings of projects such as Tejas, Arjun etc only to be repeatedly ignored by government for nationalist egosnd forced to make nominal orders

This then places the military in a tough situation where they have to accept the indian junk but then make alternative plans to cover the job the indian junk like Tejas or Arjun cant do

Its actually very sad for the indian military, as the waste of money on these projects hinders the replacement of obsolete indian equipment not that its bad for Pakistan

Sometimes I think that people accepted for membership on these fora should have to pass a test for knowledge of basics in military technology. This post is an example, not the only example, but a good one. Anybody with the slightest knowledge of the controversy and its details will know that the Arjun beat the competing T90 ON EVERY SINGLE CRITERION during comparative tests. The extent to which efforts were made to discredit the Arjun is also known, and was factored in when further trials were conducted.

It is my earnest request that posts should refrain from the written equivalent of waving one's hands in the air, during a conversation, to substitute for awkward gaps when there is nothing logical left to say; a preliminary understanding of the objections raised, and the very obvious refutations, would help.

Perhaps it will surprise some members from our neighbours to learn that the object of a discussion in here is not necessarily to disparage India; perhaps they might like to consider the possibility that a rational discussion is an objective by itself.

 

[KapitaanAli]

Indian Army seems to decide based on merit instead of some misplaced sense of nationalism.

Its actually embarrassing the military should not be forced to induct poorly made junk just because of ego.

They have REPEATEDLY highlighted the shortcomings of projects such as Tejas, Arjun etc only to be repeatedly ignored by government for nationalist egosnd forced to make nominal orders

This then places the military in a tough situation where they have to accept the indian junk but then make alternative plans to cover the job the indian junk like Tejas or Arjun cant do

Its actually very sad for the indian military, as the waste of money on these projects hinders the replacement of obsolete indian equipment not that its bad for Pakistan

Does any of you have any facts to back up your claims in the context of Arjun Mk2?

Sometimes I think that people accepted for membership on these fora should have to pass a test for knowledge of basics in military technology. This post is an example, not the only example, but a good one. Anybody with the slightest knowledge of the controversy and its details will know that the Arjun beat the competing T90 ON EVERY SINGLE CRITERION during comparative tests. The extent to which efforts were made to discredit the Arjun is also known, and was factored in when further trials were conducted.

It is my earnest request that posts should refrain from the written equivalent of waving one's hands in the air, during a conversation, to substitute for awkward gaps when there is nothing logical left to say; a preliminary understanding of the objections raised, and the very obvious refutations, would help.

Perhaps it will surprise some members from our neighbours to learn that the object of a discussion in here is not necessarily to disparage India; perhaps they might like to consider the possibility that a rational discussion is an objective by itself.

These are the same guys who call a certain heavier "brotherly" tank a beast while calling Mk2 overweight.

And that's with plough and ERA on Mk2.

 

[war&peace]

How you came to that conclusion might prove an interesting read.

Very simple Indian army and DRDO both are institutions of India but still army is not willing to bite the bait because it knows very well what it needs despite pressure of nationalism and govt.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Does any of you have any facts to back up your claims in the context of Arjun Mk2?


These are the same guys who call a certain heavier "brotherly" tank a beast while calling Mk2 overweight.

And that's with plough and ERA on Mk2.

When these green chaddi bhakts get a chance to pile on to India, they rise to the bait immediately.

 

[Blue Marlin]

Contrary to media reports, the Russian lobby is strong and flourishing in India.

well that's how the cookie crumbles. lobbying plays a major role more deciding than weapons acquisitions but also regular laws.

they do a vis a vis against the two and see which is best.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Very simple Indian army and DRDO both are institutions of India but still army is willing to bite the bait because it knows very well what it needs despite pressure of nationalism and govt.

Please.

The facts are on record. It is just that members are these days not inclined to spend any time or effort in reading up about the details of a case. For instance, about the detailed arguments for and against the Arjun, and for and against the T90.

Reflect on the realities of life, as V. K. Singh illustrated in his memoirs, and think of the pitfalls and dangers of actually being able to buy whatever one wishes, rather than having to cut back and settle for inferior tanks, inferior planes and inferior naval vessels. We see an entire uniformed service facing these pitfalls and dangers.

well that's how the cookie crumbles. lobbying plays a major role more deciding than weapons acquisitions but also regular laws.

they do a vis a vis against the two and see which is best.

I have to agree with you, but it is a sad agreement.

 

[war&peace]

Please.

The facts are on record. It is just that members are these days not inclined to spend any time or effort in reading up about the details of a case. For instance, about the detailed arguments for and against the Arjun, and for and against the T90.

Reflect on the realities of life, as V. K. Singh illustrated in his memoirs, and think of the pitfalls and dangers of actually being able to buy whatever one wishes, rather than having to cut back and settle for inferior tanks, inferior planes and inferior naval vessels. We see an entire uniformed service facing these pitfalls and dangers.



I have to agree with you, but it is a sad agreement.

Well, your uniformed men believe what you have been throwing at them through mainstream media that India is an economic superpower, third largest blah blah blah so now they want to go for the best or most expensive toys and do not want to settle for the inferior and substandard product in the name of nationalism. Continue this propaganda of the superpower and see when your police force demands Lamborghinis and Ferraris as Dubai police..

 

[Maarkhoor]

Arjun beat the competing T90 ON EVERY SINGLE CRITERION during comparative tests.

Sir, then why you send T90 tank in Russia for competition? which you lost

 

[war&peace]

Sir, then why you send T90 tank in Russia for competition? which you lost

Paper tigers ...

When these green chaddi bhakts get a chance to pile on to India, they rise to the bait immediately.

Coming from you