RPK
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Tank Ex,the Future MBT for India? - Tej Web World
Tank Ex or the MBT Ex (known as Karna),Indias Ambitious Defence Project to Build a Battle Tank after the MBT Arjun,has been a subject of Major Controversy.
The Tank,developed to cater to the Armys original requirement of a 40-ton Tank armed with a 105mm gun,is now under further Research & Development as the Army,supposedly,changed its requirement to a 120mm gun armed heavier tank, capable of going toe-to-toe with the American Abrams tank, which Pakistan, was about to acquire from the United States in the 1980s.
Intended to provide a solution for upgrading the Indian Armys aging T-72M1 fleet,the Tank EX has been developed by integrating a modified low silhouette chassis of in-service T-72 tank and a re-engineered Arjun MBT turret.Broadly similar to the British Chobham,this main battle tank uses Kanchan heavy composite armor.
The Tank Ex appears to be an ideal solution for upgrading the Indian Armys vast and aging T-72M1 fleet.The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) states that the new generation Karna tank can withstand a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) attack.
Being much lighter than the Arjun MBT, which weighs 58.5 tons,the Tank Ex is still heavier at 47 tons than the T-72M1 (41 tons).The Tank-Ex has a 1000 hp power plant (as on the Combat Improved Ajeya) giving a power to weight ratio of 21 hp/ton for a weight of 47 tons. This represents an improvement over the T-72M1′s 20 hp/ton with a weight of 41 tons and an 780 hp power plant.The Tank Ex utilizes the Arjun MBTs 120 mm rifled gun firing unitary APFSDS and HESH semi combustible cartridge case ammunition. A total of 32 rounds are carried as compared to 39 in the Arjun and 45 two piece ones in the T-72. A global positioning system is provided for accurate navigation.The Tank Ex retains the T-72 attributes of speed and agility with a maximum speed of 60 km/hr (on road) and 40 km/hr (cross country).While the gradient climbing at 30 degrees it remains in line with all variants of the T-72 like the B(M). The Tank Ex is better at trench crossing.(2.6 metres as compared to the T-72M1′s 2.28 meters).Vertical Obstacles 0.85 metres tall can be surmounted, same as the T-72M1.Shallow fording is quoted as 1.2 metres.
The DRDO recently, successfully test-fired the advanced Israeli LAHAT anti-tank missile known for its lethality & long range,to be fitted on the New Tank Ex.
Even when the above details of the Tank Ex seem to be noteworthy,Indian Armys Director General of Mechanised Forces(DGMF) Gen. Dalip Bhardwaj said on 5 July 2008 that the army had rejected Tank-EX. This was part of an announcement that there would be no further orders for Arjun tanks, and the army would be inviting participants from various countries to discuss future tank developments.Although the reasons for such a statement was unclear,Many believe the statement was fueled by the difference of views & Opinions between the Army & the DRDO.
The DRDO has made it clear that unlike the MBT Arjun,The Tank Ex may be Exported to Other Countries along with New DRDO missiles and weapon systems.
Our technology and the weapon system are competitive. There is tremendous export potential but we have to first make sure we have real output in terms of numbers and quality.Once that happens and once we are satisfied I think in few years from now India would be in a position to export systems to friendly countries.The impact of Agni-V launch has given us confidence we are not dependent on any nation as far as missile technology is concerned. There was a time when missile technology controlled regimes throttled our progress. But today we are in a position to not only manufacture for ourselves but ready to go from being a purchaser to exporter.says DRDO chief VK Saraswat.
Tank Ex or the MBT Ex (known as Karna),Indias Ambitious Defence Project to Build a Battle Tank after the MBT Arjun,has been a subject of Major Controversy.
The Tank,developed to cater to the Armys original requirement of a 40-ton Tank armed with a 105mm gun,is now under further Research & Development as the Army,supposedly,changed its requirement to a 120mm gun armed heavier tank, capable of going toe-to-toe with the American Abrams tank, which Pakistan, was about to acquire from the United States in the 1980s.
Intended to provide a solution for upgrading the Indian Armys aging T-72M1 fleet,the Tank EX has been developed by integrating a modified low silhouette chassis of in-service T-72 tank and a re-engineered Arjun MBT turret.Broadly similar to the British Chobham,this main battle tank uses Kanchan heavy composite armor.
The Tank Ex appears to be an ideal solution for upgrading the Indian Armys vast and aging T-72M1 fleet.The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) states that the new generation Karna tank can withstand a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) attack.
Being much lighter than the Arjun MBT, which weighs 58.5 tons,the Tank Ex is still heavier at 47 tons than the T-72M1 (41 tons).The Tank-Ex has a 1000 hp power plant (as on the Combat Improved Ajeya) giving a power to weight ratio of 21 hp/ton for a weight of 47 tons. This represents an improvement over the T-72M1′s 20 hp/ton with a weight of 41 tons and an 780 hp power plant.The Tank Ex utilizes the Arjun MBTs 120 mm rifled gun firing unitary APFSDS and HESH semi combustible cartridge case ammunition. A total of 32 rounds are carried as compared to 39 in the Arjun and 45 two piece ones in the T-72. A global positioning system is provided for accurate navigation.The Tank Ex retains the T-72 attributes of speed and agility with a maximum speed of 60 km/hr (on road) and 40 km/hr (cross country).While the gradient climbing at 30 degrees it remains in line with all variants of the T-72 like the B(M). The Tank Ex is better at trench crossing.(2.6 metres as compared to the T-72M1′s 2.28 meters).Vertical Obstacles 0.85 metres tall can be surmounted, same as the T-72M1.Shallow fording is quoted as 1.2 metres.
The DRDO recently, successfully test-fired the advanced Israeli LAHAT anti-tank missile known for its lethality & long range,to be fitted on the New Tank Ex.
Even when the above details of the Tank Ex seem to be noteworthy,Indian Armys Director General of Mechanised Forces(DGMF) Gen. Dalip Bhardwaj said on 5 July 2008 that the army had rejected Tank-EX. This was part of an announcement that there would be no further orders for Arjun tanks, and the army would be inviting participants from various countries to discuss future tank developments.Although the reasons for such a statement was unclear,Many believe the statement was fueled by the difference of views & Opinions between the Army & the DRDO.
The DRDO has made it clear that unlike the MBT Arjun,The Tank Ex may be Exported to Other Countries along with New DRDO missiles and weapon systems.
Our technology and the weapon system are competitive. There is tremendous export potential but we have to first make sure we have real output in terms of numbers and quality.Once that happens and once we are satisfied I think in few years from now India would be in a position to export systems to friendly countries.The impact of Agni-V launch has given us confidence we are not dependent on any nation as far as missile technology is concerned. There was a time when missile technology controlled regimes throttled our progress. But today we are in a position to not only manufacture for ourselves but ready to go from being a purchaser to exporter.says DRDO chief VK Saraswat.
