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Giving his thumbs up to indigenous Arjun battle tanks and Dhruv advanced light helicopters, Indian Army chief General V.K. Singh described the two military machines as "good" though they had some problems that are being rectified.
"It is a good tank in terms of mobility and such," Singh said here when asked to comment on the performance of Arjun that the Army has been operating in the deserts of Rajasthan for the last one year since a regiment was raised.
"There are certain problems (in Arjun)...everything cannot be perfect," he said, defending the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that designed and developed the tank and the Avadi-based Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) that is manufacturing them.
He also indicated the upgraded Arjuns could go up to Mark III version too.
"We found certain faults and these have been rectified in Arjun Mk II and it will become Arjun Mk III," he said.
Asked if the number of Arjuns will go beyond the 248 already on order, Singh said the deployment of Arjuns will decide the number of tanks that will be inducted into service.
"And accordingly, the numbers have been fixed as per the number of units that will operate Arjuns," he said, without specifying the numbers.
The Army has already inducted Arjuns and raised a regiment that is now operating in the deserts of Rajasthan from among the 124 tanks ordered in the middle of last decade. About a year and half ago, it placed an additional order for 124 more tanks, but these will be the Mark II version, which is undergoing tests at present.
From the Mark I version of Arjuns, the Indian Army has asked for 90-odd upgrades, including about 20 major modifications in the design and capabilities, and these are being worked out right now in the Mark II version.
On Dhruv, Singh said it had troubles relating to maintenance and serviceability.
He said the Army has been requesting the Defence Ministry for "greater improvement" in the helicopter's designs and "greater indulgence" of the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to ensure that the serviceability of the helicopter remains "much higher" that what it is at present.
Referring to the Sarang helicopter aerobatics display team, Singh said the chopper is good and that is why the display team is the only one of its kind in the world, performing and winning accolades.
"But there are serviceability issues," he added.
Arjun, Dhruv Get Thumbs Up From Indian Army Chief - Defence Now
, The army chief has certified it as OK weapon there is no question arises from
