Or maybe because US has told Pak not to retaliate much in case India launches emptive or preemptive striles
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We'll never know whether the upgrade timelines are advanced (if at all) because the babus realised that they kept IAF inadequate, or whether IAF realised that the MKIs were inadequate or a combination of both.
Regardless of whether they are tanks, ships or aircraft, the main upgrade happens at mid-life. So that's typically 15-20 years. Russia's T-90s stretch from the early 90s to today. India's begins in the 2000s, so they are in the process of being upgraded soon. Arjun's upgrade will happen sometime around the 2030s, although there is still a possibility the Mk1 may see some Mk1A upgrades even earlier, although I feel if they begin the process after Mk1As are delivered, then we will end up in 2030 anyway. Russian Su-30s are quite new, most of them will see major upgrades long after MKI's upgrade.
Looking at how Pak has got a good tank from China in the form of VT-4, which is making IA go for Arjun, we are in for big trouble with China equipping Pak as China is always going to be ahead of us in the foreseeable future. We have to buy expensive stuff or make our own while China finances Pak and gives them enough good stuff to make them fight well for a few days. Plus the help from the Chinese intelligence and cyber capabilities will be very important.
@vstol Jockey @randomradio is our T90 is vulnerable to Pakistani VT tanks as pointed by @AbRaj in one of his post? Do T90 is having such weak armour?
I dont think mere 120 or so Arjun will make much drastic deference as on today. Also 124 MK1a orders will not complete immediately too. Even we managed to full fill Arjun's orders on time, 5-7 years from now we will be left out only around 250 tanks, still not sufficient.
Agreed. But what is the timeline of PA getting the 300 odd VT-4 tanks? In 5 years we might upgrade the T90s. Pak will need more AKs in adequate numbers which their economy will not support.
China funding Pakistan is a big risk. Gotta see what happens there over the next few years.
VT-4 is more or less equivalent to the T-90. The T-90 can be upgraded to match it or even exceed it. The new T-90M easily exceeds the VT-4 already.
IA is not going for the Arjun just because PA bought the VT-4, it's actually the opposite. The Arjun Mk1A precedes the VT-4 by many years, pretty much a decade. Mk1A was in fact supposed to be ready in 2014 as per DRDO's original time frame.
Yes, but the procurement of Arjun might be more justified because of the VT4s. Hellfire has been tweeting about it. Plus the bridges weren't so ready by 2014.
But you're right about the VT4s being procured by PA in response to the Arjun. Probably their AK Mk2 designs are facing some issues which are not being rectified.
@Falcon's opinion of creating Arjun BCTs is not affordable. The tank is very expensive and doesn't provide the same level of increased capability versus cost when compared to the T-90. It also requires more R&D money to complete the Bhim SPG, but the IA has instead gone for the Catapult route. What he wants is going to happen with the FRCV though.
In case the FRCV is delayed, an Arjun Mk2 with an autoloader is also in the works, and we could see another brigade ordered after Mk1A. Or just another brigade of the Mk1A itself. Regardless, as of today, the plan is to end both T-90 and Arjun production by 2028. The IA hopes to begin the induction of FRCV from 2027, but that's way too unrealistic. So an additional brigade as a stop gap could happen.
PA armour is a bit weird. They have 2 armoured divisions and 2 mechanised divisions, and each of them have a different tank, the T-80, Al-Zarrar, AK and VT-4. It's like they are not happy with any of their tanks. I have no clue what their plan is when the FRCV shows up, because this system requires a level of investment the Pakistanis cannot afford and the Chinese won't bother funding due to the expense.
BEML-TATRA 8x8 Heavy Duty HMVs with Trailers carrying the Arjun MBT.
So light tank tenders have started coming out @Gautam the tender you posted of test chasis claiming it to be NGMBT was actually for light tank.
Seems like empty weight of hull alone is 21 tons.
Seems like empty weight of hull alone is 21 tons.
Oh. Did the tender mention light tank ?
Yeah that's why I didn't claim that tank to the light tank. If the hull alone is 21-22 tons then the whole tank should be over 35 tons. That's in the NGMBT territory. Let's give it some time. Things will become clearer as more tenders come out.Seems like empty weight of hull alone is 21 tons.
I hope they design the turret well. Let's not leave structural deficiencies in the design.
Yeah a tender came out today for Driver sight.
35 tons is a light tank category NGMBT will weight upto 50 ton.
You sure about this ? NGMBT was supposed to be 41-45 tons. They have revised it then.
with 1500 hp engine and shit load of sensors no way it could weight just 41 tons.
Light tank seems to be 35T. If the hull is 21T, then the turret would easily weigh 15T, especially if the T-90's turret is used.
As for NGMBT or FRCV, the requirement is 50T +/- 8T. So that's 42-58T. I believe the army has given enough leeway for all sorts of designs. Including any weight penalty due to integrated floatation devices or as external attachments, if any. There should also be different weight categories for add-on armour based on role. So I don't think NGMBT will weigh below 45T across the board.
Massive success if materializes..
Interested in " Dessert Ferrari "
Seems like Mk1A is gaining traction.
Even Hellfire advocates Mk1A purchase in appropriate theatre and selling T72 as reserves to Russia.