In a major boost to maintain combat readiness and self-reliance, the Government on Thursday placed an order for 118 Arjun Mk-1A main battle tanks (MBT) for the Indian Army. The deal is worth over Rs 7,523 crore and the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Tamil Nadu will manufacture the tanks.
The tanks are indigenously designed and manufactured by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Prime Minister Narendra Modi had handed over the upgraded Arjun tank in February this year to Army Chief General MM Naravane.
Giving details of the order, Defence Ministry officials said here on Thursday, it will provide further boost to the “Make in India” initiative in defence sector and is a big step towards achieving “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”, envisioned by the Prime Minister.
The state-of-the-art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability. Infused with 72 new features and more indigenous content from the Mk-1 variant, the tank would ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, besides precise target engagement during day and night. The DRDO has incorporated numerous upgrades on Arjun MBT, the in-service main battle tank with the Indian Army, they said.
The MK-1A is equipped with accurate and superior firepower, all-terrain mobility and an invincible multi-layered protection provided by an array of advanced technology systems. It can take on the enemy during day and night conditions and in both static and dynamic modes. By virtue of these capabilities, this indigenous MBT proves to be on a par with any contemporary in its class across the globe.
This tank is particularly configured and designed for Indian conditions and hence it is suitable for deployment to protect the frontiers in an effective manner.
This production order to HVF, Avadi opens up a large avenue in defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian vendors including MSMEs, with employment opportunities to around 8,000 people. This will be a flagship project showcasing the indigenous capability in cutting edge defence technologies.
The MBT Arjun Mk-1A has been designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), along with other laboratories of the DRDO within two years (2010-12). The development activities commenced from June 2010 and the tank was fielded for user trials in June 2012.
It took only two years to develop and field the MBT Arjun Mk-1A for user trials from the user requirement. Extensive trial evaluation was conducted in various phases covering nearly 7,000 kms (both in the DRDO and user trials) of automotive and substantial firing of various ammunitions during 2012-2015.