The Army on Sunday added muscle to its firepower capabilities when Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over to the force the indigenously designed and manufactured Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) MK-1A in Chennai.
Presiding over the ceremony, Modi said the tank represented the united Indian spirit as the weapon system manufactured in the south will guard the frontiers in the north.
The Arjun tank manufacturing factory at Avadi in Chennai will shortly get an order for 118 such front-line fighting machines and the total contract is worth over Rs 9,000 crores.
It is an improved and upgraded version of the original Arjun-MK 1 MBT which was also indigenously designed and manufactured within the country. The new tanks has incorporated more than 50 upgrades and 71 new features. The Army will get an edge over its enemies as the new tank has accurate firing capabilities during day and night thereby providing the army to launch counter-offensive with lethal effect, officials said here.
At the handing over function, the Prime Minister also accepted a salute by the state- of-the-art tank, indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment(CVRDE) in Chennai. Modi later handed over a replica model of the tank to Army Chief General M M Naravane.
“Today I am proud to dedicate to the country one more warrior to protect our frontiers. I am proud to hand over the indigenously designed and manufactured Arjun MK-1A.”
“It also uses indigenous ammunition. Tamil Nadu is already the leading auto manufacturing hub of India. Now I see Tamil Nadu evolving as a tank manufacturing hub of India,” he said.
“A tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern border to keep our nation safe. This showcases India’s united spirit—Bharat’s ekta darshan,” Modi added.
Highlighting the capabilities of the upgraded version of the Arjun MBT, officials said Arjun MK-1 Alpha is a “contemporary tank in the world with battle winning efficacy.”
It is ‘infused’ with 71 new features and would ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, besides precise target engagement during day and night.
The production order opens up a large avenue in defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian companies and scores of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with employment opportunities to 8,000 people, they said.
Quoting from revolutionary Tamil poet and freedom fighter Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi, Modi said inspired by the former’s vision, “India has taken a massive effort to become self-reliant in the defence sector.”
Of the two defence corridors in the country, the one in Tamil Nadu has already received investment commitments of over Rs 8,100 crore, Modi said.
“We will continue working to make our armed forces one of the most modern forces in the world. At the same time the focus on making India Atmanirbhar in the defence sector moves with full speed,” he said.
Later, in a tweet, he said it was “a special day in our journey to become Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector,” referring to Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A). Fifteen academic institutions, eight labs and several MSMEs were also involved in the Arjun MK 1A.
The new tanks with its first round hit probability has one of the most accurate tank gun in the world. This majestic tank has indigenous Kanchan Armour strapped with DRDO developed Reactive Armour Panels.
After using in different conditions, the Army had recommended a number of improvements to MBT Arjun Mk 1, which enhanced the mobility and fire power of MBT Arjun Mk 1A. With these changes, this upgraded version has successfully undergone extensive trials by the Indian Army. The precise target tracking of the tank ensures accurate engagement during day and night in both static and dynamic conditions.
The country decided to build its own main battle tank and a project was initiated by the DRDO in the 1970s at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE).
The scientists were given the objective to design and build a state-of-the-art tank with superior fire power, high mobility, and excellent protection. The production of the Arjun tanks started in 1996 at the Indian Ordnance Factory’s production facility in Avadi.
At present, the Army has more than 100 Arjun MK-I tanks in its armour and is likely to induct 20 odd more tanks shortly. The first batch of 16 Arjun tanks were inducted into active service in 2004.
The old and new version of the MBT has a highly sophisticated computer-controlled integrated fire control system with stabilised sighting that works in all lighting conditions. The secondary weapons include a co-axial 7.62-mm machine gun for anti-personnel and a 12.7-mm machine gun for anti-aircraft and ground targets.
Officials also said the new version launched by the Prime Minister gas more than 55 per cent indigenous content as compared to 40 per cent of the earlier version of the Arjun.