NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has
quietly begun rigorous tests of the indigenous Arjun tank in the deserts of Rajasthan. The tests will determine whether the tank will have any significant role in the armoured force of the future.
Trials of two Arjuns, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) over three decades, are on in the Mahajan field ranges. The trials were to officially begin on Monday.
The
DRDO has supplied 14 Arjuns to the Army, of which two are being put to test. These trials are officially supposed to reveal the spare parts requirement to maintain the tanks. DRDO officials are holding their breath.
They could also raise innumerable objections, admitted a DRDO scientist. The trials are to go on for about a month, at the end of which Arjuns future would be known.
If the Army opinion stems in Arjuns favour, the DRDO could end up with a total order in the range of 250 tanks. Already,
an order for 124 is on paper, of which 14 have been delivered.
The Army has kept another 124 vacant while going in for a fresh round of T-90 tank purchase a few days ago. India and Russia have signed an approximately $1bn contract for purchase of 347 more T-90 tanks. This is besides the total T-90 order of 310 from Russia and the 1,000 being produced in India at the Heavy Vehicle Factory in Avadi.
Even as the new contract for 347 Russian tanks was placed, the Army has kept the option of another 124 tanks open. If Arjun passes the test, the indigenous tank could be ordered.
Hoping for it, the DRDO is working overtime to develop second-generation Arjuns that could fire own missiles and withstand enemy missile attacks.
The DRDO has in the past successfully fired Israeli missile Lahat from Arjun, but now is confident of developing an indigenous missile that could hit targets over 4km away over the next two years.
Preliminary firings have been conducted. Now, we will go try with guidance and over the next two years, we should be ready with it, said a source.
j_josy@dnaindia.net