Nothing and no one can defeat Arjun Mk-2 in the desert.
Important specs about Mk-2 Arjun -
1) Armor
Kanchan armor (even with the sole ceramic armor casing without additional ERA) is a world-winner. From Wikipedia -
Although the construction details of the armour remain a secret, it has been described as being made by sandwiching composite panels between Rolled homogeneous armour (RHA). The number of layers may vary based on the user requirements. This armour is able to defeat APDS and HEAT rounds and is believed to withstand APFSDS.[1]
During the trials in 2000, the Kanchan was able to withstand a hit from a T-72 at point blank range, and was able to defeat all available HESH and fin stabilized armour piercing discarding sabot (FSAPDS) rounds, which included the Israeli FSAPDS rounds.[2]
Kanchan armor | Wikipedia.org
Now a tank like T-72 or even Al-Khalid is going to fire a typical HEAT round at a launch velocity of
950m/s. Which failed to penetrate plain Kanchan armor (even without ERA). APFSDS and DU rounds are likely to fail too.
2. Firepower
The Arjun Mk-2 is likely to be equipped with a
smoothbore 120mm gun (according to Prasun K. Sengupta), which, for a typical HEAT round, gives a velocity of
1,650m/s...that's only 100m/s less than M1 Abrams velocity. Not to mention that the current rifled 120mm gun on Mk-1 Arjun is also capable of more or less the same velocity.
This arrangement gives Arjun Mk-2 the perceived one-shot kill ability against most types of tanks out there.
3. Speed
Important while in armored thrusts,,,the Arjun (Mk-1) can run at 40 kmph off-road (same as Abrams). While on-road this tank hurls at 72 kmph, which is 16 kmph more than Abrams on-road speed. Contemporary Pakistani tanks like Al-khalid cannot achieve more than 25 kmph off-road (according to PDF's tank expert
Zraver).
All in all, Arjun MK-II is a true beast out at the desert and a real threat for Pakistani armor and infantry groups at war.