Arjun News & Discussions

[Arsalan]

about the T 90 with indian:

Indian T-90 Tanks Struggle in Summer Desert Heat
By vivek raghuvanshi
Published: 16 Jul 11:04 EDT (15:04 GMT)

NEW DELHI - The Indian Army has floated a request for information to integrate an air-conditioning system along with additional power sources in its fleet of Russian-made T-90 tanks, which have had difficulties when operating in desert conditions of temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius

An Indian Army official said that some of the tanks' computerized systems failed in summer desert heat.

India purchased the T-90 tank from Russia in 2001 as the homegrown Arjun tank did not meet Army expectations while Pakistan had acquired T-80 tanks from Ukraine.

Under the $795 million deal, 310 T-90 tanks were procured from Russia. In 2007, the Indian Army gave a fresh order to buy an additional 330 T-90s and there are plans to license produce another 1,000 by 2020 at Indian facilities.

 

[Arsalan]

India, Russia plan to build futuristic MBT

note that they already have the arjun and the T90 and they are comming to develop something to take an edge on PA tanks!

“Will consolidate edge over Pakistan’s T-80 MBT”
It will feature higher speed and better firepower


MOSCOW: Encouraged by the remarkable success of their pilot co-development defence project, the Brahmos missile, India and Russia are planning to design and build a futuristic main battle tank.
Defence industry experts will discuss the new project when a delegation of the Russian Uralvagonzavod (UVZ) tank-building factory visits India this week to participate in an international seminar on the Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT) organised by the Army along with the Confederation of Indian Industry.
The two sides have already had preliminary discussions on the issue, according to UVZ Director General Nikolai Malykh.
“We put forward this idea [of a joint tank project] at the turn of the 21st century,” he told journalists in Moscow. “The Indian side has now come up with a similar proposal. We will take the first step when our experts go to India to attend a conference on the future tank and prospects for the tank-building industry.”

“The new tank will consolidate India’s edge over the Pakistani Army armed with Ukraine’s potent T-80 MBT and the Al-Khalid MBT built jointly with China and Ukraine,” Ruslan Pukhov, Director, Centre for Analysis and Technologies, said.
“Russia’s Uralvagonzavod would be the best partner for India in designing and building the new tank given a long history of its cooperation with the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi in the production of T-72 and T-90S MBTs.”
India has purchased over 1,600 T-90S MBTs built by the UVZ of which 1,000 will be manufactured at the Avadi plant.
The Indo-Russian MBT is likely to incorporate the best features of prototype tanks developed at Russia’s leading tank-building plants — UVZ and Omsk Transport Machine-Building Plant — which are now being merged into a single corporation.
According to the Moscow Defence Brief magazine, the new tank will mark a great step forward in armour technology. It will feature higher speed, better firepower, sophisticated armour protection and a low silhouette. An armour-protected crew compartment will be sealed from the unmanned turret equipped with an automatic loader.
The crew will be provided with a virtual-reality command information system linked to reconnaissance aircraft and will enjoy a smoother ride thanks to a new hydro-pneumatic suspension.
The new tank is likely to have a new main gun of up to 152 mm calibre and a new hunter-killer fire control system with target acquisition in optical, thermal, infrared and radar spectrums that will be accessible both to the gunner and tank commander, the Moscow Defence Brief said.

 

[Gabbar]

Comparative trials between Arjun, Russian T-90 delayed

New Delhi (PTI): The comparative summer trials between the Arjun and Russian T-90 tanks will now be held during Monsoon after the Army insisted on holding comparison of regimental level performance of the two tanks.

"The earlier plan was to hold trials using a small number of tanks of both types during summers around May or June. But with the Army now insisting on fielding a regiment (40 tanks) of both the tanks against each other, it will take another three months before the trials begin," Defence Ministry sources told PTI here.

DRDO is expected to deliver around 16 tanks to the Army during a ceremony in Avadi in Tamil Nadu, where the tanks are built.

"After the induction of the tank, it will take the Army another six weeks to train its men to operate the Arjun.So, we can hope for the trials to begin only in August," they said.

The postponement of the summer trials will cause delays in determining the future of the Arjuns in the Army, which has till now ordered only 124 of these indigenously developed tanks.

In 2007, 16 Arjuns were handed over to the Armoured Corps by DRDO but they were sent back to the Central Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi with a list of defects in the tank by the Army.

Later on, there were allegations of Arjun's engines being sabotaged during winter trials of the tank by the Army.

DRDO has been seeking Government's intervention to get orders for around 500 Arjuns for the Army so that it can stabilise its production line and develop a futuristic MBT based on the indigenously developed Arjun.

On the other hand, the Indian Army has plans of replacing its older T-55 and T-72 tanks by 124 Arjuns and around 1650 T-90s.

Arjun project was sanctioned 35 years ago with a sanction of Rs 15 crore but it has now gone above Rs 300 crore.

Army had laid down its requirements for the Arjun in 1972. In 1982, it was announced that the prototype was ready for field trials but the tank was publicly unveiled for the first time only in 1995.

Due to the delays, the Army signed a contract for 310 T-90 tanks with Russia and followed it up with orders for another 347 in 2008. Over 1,000 T-90s are tanks are being license-produced by CVRDE in India.

 

[Gabbar]

Thrust on scaling up indigenous content of military arsenal

ROLLING OUT: MBT Arjun tanks for the Army at the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, on Monday.


CHENNAI: The Defence department’s thrust on scaling up indigenous content of its military arsenal will lessen the country’s dependence on import of critical components in the next few years, A.Sivathanu Pillai, Chief Controller Research and Development, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said on Monday.

Interacting with reporters after flagging off the final complement of 16 Arjun Main Battle Tanks to the Army’s 43rd regiment at the Heavy Vehicles Factory at Avadi, Dr.Pillai said the Army, Navy and Air Force had already ushered in a great degree of indigenisation in weaponry.

“The DRDO is looking to raise the ratio of indigenous content in military equipment from the current level of 30 per cent to about 70 per cent in the next seven years or so,” Dr.Pillai told The Hindu.

Already, the DRDO had led the indigenisation drive under the Component Design Execution (CODE) programme across various weaponry systems such as vessels for the Navy, light and medium combat aircraft for the Air Force, missiles, sensors and state-of-the-art radars.

Capacity exists


Dr.Pillai said the roughly 200 public and private production units engaged in manufacture of defence equipment had the scalable capacity to meet the requirements as and when Army indent volumes increased in future.

He pointed out that even for the fully indigenous MBT Arjun mission, the DRDO had collaborated with a host of agencies led by the Combat Vehicles Engineering Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE).

Dr.Pillai underlined the fact that self reliance in design and development of military weaponry through synergy among various agencies was a shared goal of the entire nation. “However, complete self reliance is impossible for any country to achieve.”

The HVF at Avadi, which was tasked with manufacturing 124 MBT Arjun units for the Army, has so far handed over 45 tanks. “The fine-tuning of the tanks will continue and the remaining units are scheduled to be ready for commissioning in early 2010,” Dr.Pillai said.

D.Bhardwaj, Director General Mechanised Forces, said the jointeffort and the will to succeed against odds displayed by various agencies in putting out MBT Arjun proved to the world that India was a force to reckon with when it came to weapon design capabilities.

The Army, which was proud to possess the tank, was confident that MBT Arjun would rank among the best tanks in the world, he said.

Awesome features


CVRDE Director S.Sundaresh said MBT Arjun’s core strengths of excellent mobility, superior firepower and protection features made it comparable with the best armoured machines in the world. The design engineering feats achieved by the MBT Arjun team at Avadi includes developing the Kanchan Armour, hydro-pneumatic suspension, armament system, integrated fire detection and suppression system and system integration of complex weapon platforms.

Earlier, the fanfare that marked the rollout of the tanks befitted the over three-decades-old Arjun saga that has been characterised by design hiccups, technology denial and re-engineering and retrofitment of the tank’s medium fording capabilities.

As an MBT Arjun tank decked with garlands, ribbon strips and balloons led out a formidable-looking line-up of tanks, the collective roar of the 1,400 HP engines almost drowned the cries of “Bharath Mata ki Jai.”

 

[Screaming Skull]

Indian Army gets its first MBT Arjun regiment​

DRDO/Army Statement:

History of sorts was made today as the Indian Army proudly equipped itself with the first Armoured Regiment of indigenously built Main Battle Tank, Arjun. The development marks the fruition of 35 years of research in self-reliance by dedicated Indian scientists against all odds.

16 tanks (Cumulative 45 Arjun tanks) were handed over to Lt.Gen.D.Bhardwaj, DGMF, towards formation of the 1st Arjun regiment by Shri S.Chandrasekar, Addl. DGOF (AV) and flagged-off by Dr.A.Sivathanu PIllai, Chief Controller, Research & Development & Distinguished Scientist, DRDO at a function in Avadi today.

MBT Arjun is the state-of-art main battle tank designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment(CVRDE), Avadi along with other DRDO and industrial partners. MBT Arjun is provided with excellent mobility, superior fire power and protection and the features are quite comparable to contemporary world tanks. The Kanchan Armour, Hydro-pneumatic suspension, Armament system, Integrated Fire Detection & Suppression System, system engineering and system integration of complex weapon platforms are some of the significant indigenous technologies of Arjun, developed by DRDO labs.

Initially 12 prototypes were developed during 1983 to 1990 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 20,000 kms and 1100 rounds. Based on user feedback 15 pre-production vehicles were developed during 1990 to 1995 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 70,000 kms and 8000 rounds. After the satisfactory trials, army placed an indent initially for 15 limited series production in Nov 1997 and cumulatively 124 in Mar 2000. The development of Arjun was carried out in a number of stages and evaluation through extensive field trials. After satisfactory performance, Army placed an indent for the full compliment of 124 nos. of MBT Arjun in Mar 2000.

As there was a long gap from the R&D phase to production phase from 1993 to 2000, problems related to re-establishing production lines and vendor sources and resolving overseas issues like technology denial in view of Pokhran testing, change over and mergers of OEMS for the critical items, delayed initial commencement of production. In order to meet the production requirement, additional infrastructure facilities and machine tools were established at HVF, Avadi and Ordnance Factory, Medak. However, the first pilot batch of production tanks was handed over to Army on 7th August 2004 in the presence of the then Defence Minister Shri. Pranab Mukherjee.

During subsequent production, Army insisted upon the demonstration of medium fording capabilities of MBT Arjun. Both CVRDE and HVF, continuously worked on war footing, to meet the stringent requirement of medium fording to a height of 2.1m in water with preparation time of 30 minutes as retro-fitment solution and demonstrated successfully to Defence Minister Shri A.K.Antony and other dignitaries on 2nd July 2007. Subsequently, the production tanks were incorporated with all medium fording modifications and the next batch of nine tanks were handed over by Sep 2007.

Meanwhile, Army carried out the Accelerated Usage Cum Reliability Trials (AUCRT) in 5 phases on two tanks from Nov 2007 to Aug 2008 covering more than 8000 km and 800 rounds of firing in each tank. AUCRT is required for assessing the spares requirement for the entire life of the tank besides evaluation of reliability of tank. Each phase consists of 1000kms run and 100EFC (Approx. 160 rounds of APFSDS and HESH – Primary and secondary rounds) over a temperature range of -5 to 500C. One of the main issues during AUCRT trials was the failure of the bearings of Transmission of M/s RENK, Germany, due to rise in lub oil temperature. However, this was immediately solved by modifying the software during AUCRT itself and the efficacy of the software was proved for more than 4000kms. However a comprehensive solution of modifying the bearing assembly by providing a special coating was carried out to take care of the temperature problem and the retrofitment of bearing assembly being carried out in all the tanks.

The outcome of AUCRT trials raised the confidence levels of the users over the reliability and endurance of MBT Arjun and they confirmed that the overall performance of the MBT Arjun during the stringent AUCRT trials was satisfactory and cleared the production tanks with minor modifications suggested during AUCRT, for induction. Both CVRDE and HVF along with DGQA agencies worked out methodologies to introduce all AUCRT modifications within shortest time frame and the next batch of 17 tanks were handed over to Army by 3rd March 2009. As suggested by Army after AUCRT trials, Arjun tanks were subjected to rigorous trials and assessment by a third party audit (an internationally reputed tank manufacturer). After the extensive evaluation, the reputed tank manufacturer confirmed that the MBT Arjun is an excellent tank with very good mobility and fire power characteristics suitable for Indian desert. They also added inputs such as quality auditing, production procedures and refined calibration procedures for further enhancing the performance of MBT Arjun. DRDO, will be incorporating all these inputs in the next regiment of 62 tanks for handing over to Army before Mar 2010 as desired by the Army.

The regiment of 45 tanks will be subjected to a conversion training and field practice for a period of 3 months. Thereafter, the Army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T 90 tanks in Oct/Nov 2009 to assess the operational deployment role of the tanks. The present batch of 124 tanks will be delivered by Mar 2010.

 

[indiatech]

 

[ironman]

DRDO working on additional capabilities for Arjun battle tank.

New Delhi (PTI) With the Arjun Main Battle Tank slated to be compared with Russian T-90 tanks in trials after August, the DRDO is working on development of host of armoured defence systems to provide additional capabilities for the indigenously developed battle tank.

"DRDO is developing a laser warning control system (LWCS) and Mobile Camouflaging System (MCS) to be equipped on the Arjun, which is to expected to be fielded for regimental level trials with T-90s during monsoon," Defence Ministry officials told PTI.

The MCS is being developed by DRDO to help the tank reduce the threat of interference from all types of sensors and smart munitions of the enemy in the tank's systems.

"This will help us reduce the signatures of the tank in the battle field and help it improve its survivability," they said.

DRDO is co-developing the technology along with a Gurgaon-based private sector defence manufacturer Baracudda Camouflaging Limited.

The other system LWCS is beind developed in cooperation with Elbit Limited of Israel.

"The Laser Warning Suite of the tank will be based on an Israeli system, used by their Army on its tanks," officials said.

 

[indiatech]

DRDO working on additional capabilities for Arjun battle tank.

New Delhi (PTI) With the Arjun Main Battle Tank slated to be compared with Russian T-90 tanks in trials after August, the DRDO is working on development of host of armoured defence systems to provide additional capabilities for the indigenously developed battle tank.

"DRDO is developing a laser warning control system (LWCS) and Mobile Camouflaging System (MCS) to be equipped on the Arjun, which is to expected to be fielded for regimental level trials with T-90s during monsoon," Defence Ministry officials told PTI.

The MCS is being developed by DRDO to help the tank reduce the threat of interference from all types of sensors and smart munitions of the enemy in the tank's systems.

"This will help us reduce the signatures of the tank in the battle field and help it improve its survivability," they said.

DRDO is co-developing the technology along with a Gurgaon-based private sector defence manufacturer Baracudda Camouflaging Limited.

The other system LWCS is beind developed in cooperation with Elbit Limited of Israel.

"The Laser Warning Suite of the tank will be based on an Israeli system, used by their Army on its tanks," officials said.

This is a right move. SAAB seems to be a leader in MCS


Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System, MCS, is an individually designed camouflage kit for vehicles by SAAB Barracuda.

Complete sensor protection

This sophisticated concept for object adapted Signature Management provides:
• Full protection against homing missiles
• Prevents lock-on by smart munition
• Reduction of detection range.

Heat Transfer Reduction

This system is designed to reduce the heat penetration through the hull into vehicles operating in extremely hot climates like desert and tropical regions, to protect personnel and sensitive equipment. All MCS can be supplemented with an HTR System.

 

[gubbi]

Indian Army Gets its First Armored Regiment Equipped with Arjun Main Battle Tanks


So finally here it is....lets hope to see more advanced technologies incorporated into this behemoth.


Released on Monday, May 25, 2009

Army gets its first armoured regiment of MBT Arjun

History of sorts was made today as the Indian Army proudly equipped itself with the first Armoured Regiment of indigenously built Main Battle Tank, Arjun. The development marks the fruition of 35 years of research in self-reliance by dedicated Indian scientists against all odds.

16 tanks (Cumulative 45 Arjun tanks) were handed over to Lt.Gen.D.Bhardwaj, DGMF, towards formation of the 1st Arjun regiment by Shri S.Chandrasekar, Addl. DGOF (AV) and flagged-off by Dr.A.Sivathanu PIllai, Chief Controller, Research & Development & Distinguished Scientist, DRDO at a function in Avadi today. MBT Arjun is the state-of-art main battle tank designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment(CVRDE), Avadi along with other DRDO and industrial partners. MBT Arjun is provided with excellent mobility, superior fire power and protection and the features are quite comparable to contemporary world tanks. The Kanchan Armour, Hydro-pneumatic suspension, Armament system, Integrated Fire Detection & Suppression System, system engineering and system integration of complex weapon platforms are some of the significant indigenous technologies of Arjun, developed by DRDO labs. Initially 12 prototypes were developed during 1983 to 1990 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 20,000 kms and 1100 rounds. Based on user feedback 15 pre-production vehicles were developed during 1990 to 1995 and they were subjected to field trials of more than 70,000 kms and 8000 rounds. After the satisfactory trials, army placed an indent initially for 15 limited series production in Nov 1997 and cumulatively 124 in Mar 2000. The development of Arjun was carried out in a number of stages and evaluation through extensive field trials. After satisfactory performance, Army placed an indent for the full compliment of 124 nos. of MBT Arjun in Mar 2000.

As there was a long gap from the R&D phase to production phase from 1993 to 2000, problems related to re-establishing production lines and vendor sources and resolving overseas issues like technology denial in view of Pokhran testing, change over and mergers of OEMS for the critical items, delayed initial commencement of production. In order to meet the production requirement, additional infrastructure facilities and machine tools were established at HVF, Avadi and Ordnance Factory, Medak. However, the first pilot batch of production tanks was handed over to Army on 7th August 2004 in the presence of the then Defence Minister Shri. Pranab Mukherjee. During subsequent production, Army insisted upon the demonstration of medium fording capabilities of MBT Arjun. Both CVRDE and HVF, continuously worked on war footing, to meet the stringent requirement of medium fording to a height of 2.1m in water with preparation time of 30 minutes as retro-fitment solution and demonstrated successfully to Defence Minister Shri A.K.Antony and other dignitaries on 2nd July 2007. Subsequently, the production tanks were incorporated with all medium fording modifications and the next batch of nine tanks were handed over by Sep 2007.

Meanwhile, Army carried out the Accelerated Usage Cum Reliability Trials (AUCRT) in 5 phases on two tanks from Nov 2007 to Aug 2008 covering more than 8000 km and 800 rounds of firing in each tank. AUCRT is required for assessing the spares requirement for the entire life of the tank besides evaluation of reliability of tank. Each phase consists of 1000kms run and 100EFC (Approx. 160 rounds of APFSDS and HESH � Primary and secondary rounds) over a temperature range of -5 to 500C. One of the main issues during AUCRT trials was the failure of the bearings of Transmission of M/s RENK, Germany, due to rise in lub oil temperature. However, this was immediately solved by modifying the software during AUCRT itself and the efficacy of the software was proved for more than 4000kms. However a comprehensive solution of modifying the bearing assembly by providing a special coating was carried out to take care of the temperature problem and the retrofitment of bearing assembly being carried out in all the tanks.

The outcome of AUCRT trials raised the confidence levels of the users over the reliability and endurance of MBT Arjun and they confirmed that the overall performance of the MBT Arjun during the stringent AUCRT trials was satisfactory and cleared the production tanks with minor modifications suggested during AUCRT, for induction. Both CVRDE and HVF along with DGQA agencies worked out methodologies to introduce all AUCRT modifications within shortest time frame and the next batch of 17 tanks were handed over to Army by 3rd March 2009.

As suggested by Army after AUCRT trials, Arjun tanks were subjected to rigorous trials and assessment by a third party audit (an internationally reputed tank manufacturer). After the extensive evaluation, the reputed tank manufacturer confirmed that the MBT Arjun is an excellent tank with very good mobility and fire power characteristics suitable for Indian desert. They also added inputs such as quality auditing, production procedures and refined calibration procedures for further enhancing the performance of MBT Arjun. DRDO, will be incorporating all these inputs in the next regiment of 62 tanks for handing over to Army before Mar 2010 as desired by the Army.

The regiment of 45 tanks will be subjected to a conversion training and field practice for a period of 3 months. Thereafter, the Army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T 90 tanks in Oct/Nov 2009 to assess the operational deployment role of the tanks. The present batch of 124 tanks will be delivered by Mar 2010.


AUCRT - Accelerated Usage Cum Reliability Trials
CVRDE - Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment
DRDO - Defense, Research and Development Organization
HVF - Heavy Vehicles Factory
MBT - Main Battle Tank
OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer
R&D - Research and Development

 

[Keysersoze]

Thereafter, the Army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T 90 tanks in Oct/Nov 2009 to assess the operational deployment role of the tanks. The present batch of 124 tanks will be delivered by Mar 2010.

Ok now this part drew my attention....More trials? You are joking right?

 

[gubbi]

Thereafter, the Army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T 90 tanks in Oct/Nov 2009 to assess the operational deployment role of the tanks. The present batch of 124 tanks will be delivered by Mar 2010.

Ok now this part drew my attention....More trials? You are joking right?

Not more trials. They are going to compare both tanks to see what kind of specific roles they would be delegated in the battle field.

hmm, let it be I think you forgot that Pakistan Al-Khaid Tank still rank one of the best tank in the world anyways.

Lol, its got nothing to do 'your' tanks. Heres a little part that you need to re-read. Its not a d**k measuring contest here. Just to let all those naysayers know that yes, Arjun MBT - the so called failure - has been assessed by a renowned tank manufacturer and has been inducted.

"As suggested by Army after AUCRT trials, Arjun tanks were subjected to rigorous trials and assessment by a third party audit (an internationally reputed tank manufacturer). After the extensive evaluation, the reputed tank manufacturer confirmed that the MBT Arjun is an excellent tank with very good mobility and fire power characteristics suitable for Indian desert. They also added inputs such as quality auditing, production procedures and refined calibration procedures for further enhancing the performance of MBT Arjun."

 

[insas91]

Thereafter, the Army is planning to conduct a comparative trial with T 90 tanks in Oct/Nov 2009 to assess the operational deployment role of the tanks. The present batch of 124 tanks will be delivered by Mar 2010.

Ok now this part drew my attention....More trials? You are joking right?

THis is routine. A'first' domestic technology cannot be fully trusted. Hence having a strong foothold like 'Arjun' in land warfare, 'tejas' in airwarfare. Is important. And hence takes time. Once the technology is reliable, we can go on with more ambitious prjects much faster, just like we did it with out missiles. One 'prithvi' was needed to give rise to India's massive missile gallery.

 

[Cockpuncher]

thank god. i thought arjun was scrapped

 

[Keysersoze]

THis is routine. A'first' domestic technology cannot be fully trusted. Hence having a strong foothold like 'Arjun' in land warfare, 'tejas' in airwarfare. Is important. And hence takes time. Once the technology is reliable, we can go on with more ambitious prjects much faster, just like we did it with out missiles. One 'prithvi' was needed to give rise to India's massive missile gallery.

Yes yes we have heard this nonsense for a few years now.....

 

[Keysersoze]

As for the the other memeber who is claiming it is NOT a trial then why is it called a trial? and why are they comparing it to a T-90? You can't use the excuse that they are looking for "specific roles" because they have been looking at this tank for a few years now and they should know what it does.