Chennai, August 3
The much-awaited indigenously produced main battle tank (MBT) “Arjun” will roll out on Saturday (August 7).
The MBT project was initiated almost two decades ago. Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee will hand over “Arjun” tanks to the Chief of Army Staff, Gen N.C. Vij, at a function here on Saturday, according to a Defence Ministry press statement issued here today.
The main battle tank has been designed and developed by the Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) and manufactured at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi here.
The main battle tank “Arjun” was conceived in 1983 by the Indian Army after it realised the futility of many tanks, especially in desert conditions, during the 1971 war.
The CVRDE then immediately began work on the tank but “Arjun” attracted negative publicity.
Many defence experts expressed doubts about the viability of the project and questioned the capability of the CVRDE to manufacture tanks.
During its test-trials in Rajasthan in 1994, the Army found that “Arjun” lacked many important features. The then Army chief, Gen B.C. Joshi, sent a note to the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) under which the CVRDE functions and to the Defence Ministry stating that the “tank failed to meet standards and was therefore, unacceptable.”
General Joshi even laid down imperatives that the DRDO should take to improve the tank’s operations. Former Defence Minister George Fernandes informed Parliament last year that following the Army’s directive, the DRDO had made effective changes in the tank. He stated, “I am happy to inform you that not only is the Army satisfied with “Arjun’s” performance but it has also placed an order for 124 such tanks”. The Heavy Vehicles Factory then started mass production of the tank.
A defence press statement said: “The MBT “Arjun” has a high degree of mobility, superior firepower and excellent protection. With its computer-controlled integrated fire-control system providing accurate and faster target acquisition capability during day and night in all types of weather, shortest possible reaction time for combat engagement, ability to engage static and dynamic targets and excellent first-round hit probability, “Arjun” excels in firepower over other tanks.”
