- First prototype of Arjun Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle (ARRV) rolled out in October 2017 and is undergoing UATT.
I read somewhere this tank was designed to go against Abrams if PA ever acquired them. In the 90s due to close ties between Pakistan and US there was a high chance of PA acquiring them.
But US offered India Abrams in the early 90s though. India turned down the offer because USA wasn’t ready to share tot or produce them in India.
But US offered India Abrams in the early 90s though. India turned down the offer because USA wasn’t ready to share tot or produce them in India.
Army wages war against ‘overweight’ Arjun tank
The state-of-the-art Arjun Main Battle Tank Mk II is facing a challenging task in trying to shed weight from 68.6 tonne to less than 65 tonne. “So far, by using lighter fitments and making adjustments we have been able to lose only about 1.5 tonne which is far above the Army’s requirement of less than 65 tonne tank. Redesigning and assessments are on,” said a military source familiar with the weight loss effort who did not want to be named.
The Arjun MBT Mk II is an improved version of Mk I and has been developed with 73 tank-fittable improvements of which 15 are major tank-fittable improvements as a result of which an additional tonnage was gained over the Arjun MBT Mk I. But additional weight has resulted in problems relating to agility, mobility and operational employability.
That is why it is important to reduce the weight of the tank. The weight reduction effort is now being undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment mainly by “redesigning the hull and turret structure by using innovative material to replace the conventional structure”. The Army had ruled out an agility and mobility test of Arjun tank that was to be pitted against the Russian-made T-90 saying that the Arjun MBT Mk II and T-90 are of different class and weight classifications and their deployment is as per assigned operational roles.
Army wages war against ‘overweight’ Arjun tank
The state-of-the-art Arjun Main Battle Tank Mk II is facing a challenging task in trying to shed weight from 68.6 tonne to less than 65 tonne. “So far, by using lighter fitments and making adjustments we have been able to lose only about 1.5 tonne which is far above the Army’s requirement of less than 65 tonne tank. Redesigning and assessments are on,” said a military source familiar with the weight loss effort who did not want to be named.
The Arjun MBT Mk II is an improved version of Mk I and has been developed with 73 tank-fittable improvements of which 15 are major tank-fittable improvements as a result of which an additional tonnage was gained over the Arjun MBT Mk I. But additional weight has resulted in problems relating to agility, mobility and operational employability.
That is why it is important to reduce the weight of the tank. The weight reduction effort is now being undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment mainly by “redesigning the hull and turret structure by using innovative material to replace the conventional structure”. The Army had ruled out an agility and mobility test of Arjun tank that was to be pitted against the Russian-made T-90 saying that the Arjun MBT Mk II and T-90 are of different class and weight classifications and their deployment is as per assigned operational roles.
Army wages war against ‘overweight’ Arjun tank
Credit nexoft007 @DFI
Weight of each steel road wheel of A2 = 63kg
Weight of each rim wheel of of A2 = 15kg
____________
Each Rubber Composite (RC) Road Wheel = 45kg
Each Rubber Composite (RC) Rim Wheel = 5kg
_________________
Each A2 have 32 Road Wheels and 16 Rim Wheels. 2 Road Wheels are stacked together.
Meaning on each side A2 has 16 Road Wheels and 8 Rim Wheels
____________
Calculation of Weight Reduction of A2
Steel Road Wheels + Steel Rim Wheels
= (63 x 32) + (15 x 16)
= 2016 + 240
= 2256 kg
RC Road Wheels + RC Rim Wheels
= (45 x 32) + (5 x 16)
= 1440 + 80
= 1520 kg
Total weight reduction
= 2256 - 1520
= 736kg
So the weight reduction is a huge 740kg on just wheels. It doesn't even includes weight reduction of using composites + high nitrogen steel on chassis and a possible rubber composite track as well.
We can surely expect 6-8 ton reduction of weight of Arjun Mk. II MBT by last quarter of this year, and hopefully with indigenous 1500hp engine.
Also a good read
Arjun Mk.2 MBT Now A Firm Reality
This is most important part. As per some old reports, the indigenous engine is supposed to be lighter and uses 33% less space. The space saved can be used in many ways including putting more fuel or rounds.
To study and produce a MBT 1500hp engine is not so hard than a fighter engine (Kaveri...), but a 33% smaller and lighter one is a big deal.
The actual requirement is for a 1800HP engine which can deliver 1500HP in hot desert conditions and retains its 1500HP thrust rating till 1000m altitude. When you compare such an engine with contemporary engines, the DRDO developed engine will be that much smaller.
The new engine will be designed as a 1800HP engine and will be governed down to 1500HP.
Specification for 1500 hp Engine (According to tender)
Engine Type: 12 Cylinder, 4-stroke, V-90 configuration, Turbocharged, Intercooled, DI, liquid cooled Diesel Engine
Swept Volume: 25 dm3 (minimum)
Rated Power: 1100 kW as per ISO 1585 (w/o fan)
a) Performance at 55 C ambient temperature at sea level: No power reduction allowed
b) Performance at 1000m altitude: No power reduction allowed
c) Performance at 5000m altitude: Engine should be able to operate up to 5000m altitude safely. Minimum power reduction is permissible at this altitude.
Torque backup (min) : 18% at 60%-65% of rated engine speed
Maximum allowed rated speed: 2800 rpm
Power at 50% rated speed (min) : 610 kW
Power at idling speed (min): 140 kW
SFC at peak torque speed : 210 g/kW.hr (max)
Continuous over speed: 110% of rated speed
Instantaneous over speed: 125% of rated speed
Engine Dimensions: Engine with all its constituents will have the following dimensions:
Length: 1570 mm
Width: 1025 mm
Height: 1115 mm
Current engine (MTU 838 KA 501)
Engine Type: 12 Cylinder, 4-stroke, V-90 configuration, Turbocharged, Intercooled, DI, liquid cooled Diesel Engine
Swept Volume: 25 dm3 (minimum)
Rated Power: 1100 kW as per ISO 1585 (w/o fan)
a) Performance at 55 C ambient temperature at sea level: No power reduction allowed
b) Performance at 1000m altitude: No power reduction allowed
c) Performance at 5000m altitude: Engine should be able to operate up to 5000m altitude safely. Minimum power reduction is permissible at this altitude.
Torque backup (min) : 18% at 60%-65% of rated engine speed
Maximum allowed rated speed: 2800 rpm
Power at 50% rated speed (min) : 610 kW
Power at idling speed (min): 140 kW
SFC at peak torque speed : 210 g/kW.hr (max)
Continuous over speed: 110% of rated speed
Instantaneous over speed: 125% of rated speed
Engine Dimensions: Engine with all its constituents will have the following dimensions:
Length: 1570 mm
Width: 1025 mm
Height: 1115 mm
Current engine (MTU 838 KA 501)
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@Bon Plan, compare the size of both the engines and tell me the difference in percentage for overall volume of the two engines.
Army Sits On Arjun Tank Order Over Missile-Firing Capability
Nearly four years after the Indian Army received clearance from the Ministry of Defence to sign up for 118 of the indigenous Arjun Mk.II main battle tank developed by the DRDO, an actual order remains acutely elusive. And it now emerges that the DRDO is virtually pleading with the Army to go ahead and place the order so it can accelerate the process of moving from tank prototype to mass production. The Army, though, says it has its reasons not to sign on the dotted line yet.
The Arjun Mk.II, an improved version of the Arjun (of which the Indian Army operates 124 tanks across two regiments), was meant to be the solution to the program’s singularly tough run of luck. Last year, Livefist reported on what was only the latest in a history of hurdles (do read for a fuller picture of the project’s troubled history) that had met the project, literally stopping it in its tracks. A new report in Parliament now throws fresh light on Project Arjun’s troubles — its capacity to fire missiles at other tanks.
While the Army is said to have approved 72 desired improvements in trials that lasted from July 2012-September 2015, the Arjun Mk.II hasn’t demonstrated the capability to fire anti-tank missiles satisfactorily yet. Troubles on this front started in 2013 when the chosen Israeli LAHAT weapon failed to meet acceptance test parameters (ATP) of the Army. The following year it was virtually dropped from consideration, with the DRDO deciding to develop an in-house anti-tank missile for the Arjun. It now turns out that the Israeli LAHAT may be back in consideration with assurances of an ‘improved’ version that can meet the Indian Army’s requirements.
The DRDO has notified Parliament that it is urging the Army to release a contractual order on the premise that the Arjun Mk.II will be production ready by 2021-22, and that the improved weapon can be retrofitted by that time. The Army isn’t enthused just yet, with sources saying they are waiting for a minimum basic missile capability demonstration before proceeding to place the order.
The re-entry of the Israeli LAHAT system into consideration is significant too and presents a dilemma to the DRDO. The LAHAT has had a shot with the Arjun and failed to perform satisfactorily, but the fact that it is still even being looked at suggests time pressures. The very fact that the DRDO itself is offering up the option of either an improved LAHAT or its own ATGM for the Arjun suggests it is wary of any further delays derailing a program that has already been postponed beyond measure and memory.
The DRDO has also officially informed Parliament that its tube-launched anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) for the Arjun Mk.II is among its sanctioned projects for the year 2017-18. The laser homing tube launched 120mm missile is expected to be ready for user trials in 2018-19.
Last year, Livefist reported on an unprecedented weight reduction exercise that had been ordered by the Army, throwing the Arjun Mk.II’s path to production plan out of gear. It was reported recently that the DRDO is fighting an expectedly losing battle on that front too.
Nearly four years after the Indian Army received clearance from the Ministry of Defence to sign up for 118 of the indigenous Arjun Mk.II main battle tank developed by the DRDO, an actual order remains acutely elusive. And it now emerges that the DRDO is virtually pleading with the Army to go ahead and place the order so it can accelerate the process of moving from tank prototype to mass production. The Army, though, says it has its reasons not to sign on the dotted line yet.
The Arjun Mk.II, an improved version of the Arjun (of which the Indian Army operates 124 tanks across two regiments), was meant to be the solution to the program’s singularly tough run of luck. Last year, Livefist reported on what was only the latest in a history of hurdles (do read for a fuller picture of the project’s troubled history) that had met the project, literally stopping it in its tracks. A new report in Parliament now throws fresh light on Project Arjun’s troubles — its capacity to fire missiles at other tanks.
While the Army is said to have approved 72 desired improvements in trials that lasted from July 2012-September 2015, the Arjun Mk.II hasn’t demonstrated the capability to fire anti-tank missiles satisfactorily yet. Troubles on this front started in 2013 when the chosen Israeli LAHAT weapon failed to meet acceptance test parameters (ATP) of the Army. The following year it was virtually dropped from consideration, with the DRDO deciding to develop an in-house anti-tank missile for the Arjun. It now turns out that the Israeli LAHAT may be back in consideration with assurances of an ‘improved’ version that can meet the Indian Army’s requirements.
The DRDO has notified Parliament that it is urging the Army to release a contractual order on the premise that the Arjun Mk.II will be production ready by 2021-22, and that the improved weapon can be retrofitted by that time. The Army isn’t enthused just yet, with sources saying they are waiting for a minimum basic missile capability demonstration before proceeding to place the order.
The re-entry of the Israeli LAHAT system into consideration is significant too and presents a dilemma to the DRDO. The LAHAT has had a shot with the Arjun and failed to perform satisfactorily, but the fact that it is still even being looked at suggests time pressures. The very fact that the DRDO itself is offering up the option of either an improved LAHAT or its own ATGM for the Arjun suggests it is wary of any further delays derailing a program that has already been postponed beyond measure and memory.
The DRDO has also officially informed Parliament that its tube-launched anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) for the Arjun Mk.II is among its sanctioned projects for the year 2017-18. The laser homing tube launched 120mm missile is expected to be ready for user trials in 2018-19.
Last year, Livefist reported on an unprecedented weight reduction exercise that had been ordered by the Army, throwing the Arjun Mk.II’s path to production plan out of gear. It was reported recently that the DRDO is fighting an expectedly losing battle on that front too.
Arjun mk2 is a beast and Army till now has not been able to tame.....
how much weight can be shed from it?
how much weight can be shed from it?
India makes T90 tanks inhouse. I don't really see the need to be restive about Arjun tank. Russia has given ToT for India to make T90 tanks.
The way I see it, it is better to postpone Arjun tank manufacturing to conserve funds for big ticket items which need much more funds and also for development of technology. I will be much happier if prototypes and final model are made for all the items without manufacturing enmasse. Just the blueprint for manufacturing is what is needed, not numbers. Numbers can be obtained as and when needed
The way I see it, it is better to postpone Arjun tank manufacturing to conserve funds for big ticket items which need much more funds and also for development of technology. I will be much happier if prototypes and final model are made for all the items without manufacturing enmasse. Just the blueprint for manufacturing is what is needed, not numbers. Numbers can be obtained as and when needed
Arjun Mark-2 tank set to see light of day
In an important move, the ‘Made in India’ Arjun Mark-2 tank project is set to see the light of the day. Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Dr S Christopher in an interview to The Tribune said, “We have had a meeting with the Vice-Chief of the Indian Army where it was agreed on accepting Mark-2. Modalities are being worked out”. Once done, the acceptance of necessity (AON) for 118 will be revived, he added. The AON is decided by the Defence Acquisition Council headed by the Defence Minister. A total of 93 modifications have been done on the first version of Arjun — 124 were inducted — in 2010-2011. On being asked if the Army was okay with the weight of the tank, the DRDO boss said: “The weight (
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