DRDO’s second version of Arjun tank heavier by 9 tonnes

[IND151]

Even as the Indian Army was struggling to find a suitable deployment for the indigenous Main Battle Arjun Mk-I, which at 58 tonnes was heavy for rapid deployment in forward areas, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has come up with its Mk-II version that is heavier by 10 tonnes.


While the Arjun Mk-II has outperformed the Russian-built T-90s that are the mainstay of the Indian Army’s mainstay in terms of speed, accuracy and firepower, its huge weight has constrained its deployment options.


The Arjun tanks took nearly four decades to materialize. Because of its weight, a reluctant army placed an order for only 124 units after a bitter wrangling with the premier military research organization that was insisting on purchase of at least 500 tanks to make the project costing the ex-chequer $ 3.5 billion feasible.

The Army asked the DRDO to improve the tank further and produce Mk-II version and promised that the force might order more units. But before embarking on the project, the DRDO asked for an initial order and the force contracted to acquire 122 Arjun Mk-II, which is expected to cost approximately Rs. 37 crore per unit.

Now the sources reveals: “The Army has sought nearly 80 improvements in the tank. But this has resulted in a significant increase in the weight. While Arjun Mk-I was 58 tonnes Mk-II is 67 tonnes.”

Even though the Indian Army had not given any qualitative requirements for the Arjun Mk-II vis-à-vis the weight of the tank, still at 67 tonnes it is heaviest of the tanks in the force’s inventory. Presently the Russian-built T-90s that form the mainstay of the Indian Army’s armoured thrust weigh a modest 47.5 tonnes.

The initial comparison between the T-90s and the indigenous Arjun Mk-II has left the Indian Army officers in dilemma. “The Arjun Mk-II is more agile, has greater accuracy and has more potent firepower in comparison to the Russian tanks. But the question is where will the force deploy the 67 tonne tank?” asks an officer.

The Indian Army is validating a new transformation policy that envisages reaching strategic depths of the enemy’s territory by launching swift armoured offensive, but Arjun Mk-II does not fit the bill as it cannot cross the border in the western sector along with Pakistan as they have natural and artificial obstacles. “The problem with heavier tanks is just not about the transportation and bridges, we can revamp them. But the real challenge is that there is a real danger of the tank sinking in the ground due to its own pressure,” (but it has very low ground pressure, isn't it?)added the officer. The only area where the Army thinks this indigenous tank can be deployed is the Thar desert.

Presently the trials of the Arjun Mk-II are undergoing in Pokharan, Rajasthan and the summer trials will be conducted next week. It will be only 2015 that the tanks will enter into production and till then the Indian Army has a tough task cut out – to find a suitable role for this tank.

defence eXpress: DRDO’s second version of Arjun tank heavier by 9 tonnes

 

[JohnyD]

newer versions are supposed to be lighter and not heavier...

 

[dearone4u_22]

Only in India ....A tank is made first then a suitable strategy is made for its deployment

whereas in outside world ....first strategy is developed then according to it tanks are made

newer versions are supposed to be lighter and not heavier...

Indeed but can't help it when you order a manufacture to stuff gadgets and gizmo of AUdi to be fitted into Maruti zen ...

 

[IND151]

^^ well when several items like more armor, equipment is added to tank, it will become heavier

MK 2 is heavier even beyond expectations of Col.(retd.) Shukla

his guess was 65 tons

 

[Gessler]

Seems like another corrupt rascal is out to spoil the project.

1. First of all, if weight was as big a problem as he says, IA would have told CVRDE that weight reduction should be needed. They was no such requirement placed by the Army. Secondly, its not like they built the tank and then weighed it,,,even before the tank begin actual construction, the CVRDE has a rough idea of the weight that would result (about 65t), this would be conveyed to the Army, Arjun Mk.1A prototype began construction only after Army okayed it.

So by the time IA gave the go-ahead for the project, they already knew that it'll be heavier, not lighter.

2. The ground pressure arguement is baseless. That officer was paid by Fedorov I can confirm that.

Comparison of Arjun, T-90 and T-72 in ground pressure.

T-72: 0.90 kg/cm2
T-90: 0.87 kg/cm2
Arjun: 0.84 kg/cm2

By his arguement, the T-72s and T-90s should have been under the sand by now.

 

[Gessler]

^^Arjun's railroad wagon.

A low ground pressure is the result of an advanced suspension system. And Arjun's suspension is
as good (if not better) than that of the M1A2 Abrams, even according to professional PDF member
zraver and the Israeli guy Denil.

Just check Abrams' mobility performance vis-a-vis the T-72 in Gulf War. Abrams weighs 67.6 tons, T-72 weighs 41.5 tons. Yet T-72 is more likely to sink in the sands than Abrams.

Same applies to Arjun vis-a-vis T-72/90. The Russian tanks are more likely to sink than Arjun. This
officer is another bundle of corruption and threachery.

 

[acetophenol]

I simply can't understand 'Arjun sinking in Sand'. A tank like Arjun or Abrahms with 55+ ton weight simply will move through loose sand or marsh. As far as in the article posted by OP,i won't like to hear the opinion of not just some 'Army officer' through some blog.

Also about Indian Army's bridges,we have been operating bridges capable of holding 70 tonnes for decades,with new systems entering into service. ( i hope some members will do me a favour by posting some pics from the thread ' Made in India military equipments and support system' as i can't post pics)

 

[Sergi]

hahahaha look like another propaganda
The sinking part was awesome
I don't buy this BS. It look like ground making for new Russian tanks

 

[IND151]

^^Arjun's railroad wagon.

A low ground pressure is the result of an advanced suspension system. And Arjun's suspension is
as good (if not better) than that of the M1A2 Abrams, even according to professional PDF member
zraver and the Israeli guy Denil.

Just check Abrams' mobility performance vis-a-vis the T-72 in Gulf War. Abrams weighs 67.6 tons, T-72 weighs 41.5 tons. Yet T-72 is more likely to sink in the sands than Abrams.

Same applies to Arjun vis-a-vis T-72/90. The Russian tanks are more likely to sink than Arjun. This
officer is another bundle of corruption and threachery.

good image, thanks

 

[Ticker]

Aside the major bridges, I wonder if the tank would be able to cross small bridges in its operational area. One can not launch an AVLB every time such crossings are needed during normal training exercises or reaching the exercise areas.

 

[IndianArmy]

Aside the major bridges, I wonder if the tank would be able to cross small bridges in its operational area. One can not launch an AVLB every time such crossings are needed during normal training exercises or reaching the exercise areas.

It should not have any problem.. There is picture to support it and a close look at its vertical exhaust pipe.

 

[Sergi]

Same applies to Arjun vis-a-vis T-72/90. The Russian tanks are more likely to sink than Arjun. This
officer is another bundle of corruption and threachery.

The underline and Bolded part is most likely imaginary or weapon agent and NOT IA officer
Any officer servered in Armed core know these things.

 

[Ticker]

It should not have any problem.. There is picture to support it and a close look at its vertical exhaust pipe.

When you cross a tributary or distributeries in this manner, the banks would be damaged. Only one tank won't undertake the crossing. All tributary or distributeries would not be filled with water and the depth of water would certainly not need fording.

Peacetime training is the problem here - unless it is all desert operations.

Also, I wonder if all the bridges on Indira Canal can sustain such heavy movement of large columns.

 

[ANPP]

Jaisalmer base will be most suited for ARJUN which is most close to border in RAjstan. These beast already shown their capability in desert. From their they can be use for defensive purpose.

 

[Contrarian]

Problem in India can be rectified. Stronger capacity bridges built and wagons procured. Problem will be in Pakistan.

How do you cross Pakistan's bridges with that in an operation constrained by time?