I like this...
The Arjun Mark II will have a total of 93 upgrades, including 13 major improvements. The major upgrades would be:
> Missile-firing capability against long-range targets.
> Panoramic sight with night vision to engage targets effectively at night.
> Containerization of the ammunition
> Enhanced main weapon penetration
> Additional ammunition types
> Explosive reactive armor
> An advanced air-defence gun to engage helicopters
> a mine plough
> an advanced land navigation system and a warning system which can fire smoke grenades to confuse laser guidance.
> enhanced Auxiliary power unit providing 8.5 KW (from 4.5 KW).
> an improved gun barrel.
> changes in the commander's panoramic sight with eye safe LRF, night vision capability including for driver,
> digital control harness.
> new final drive, track and sprocket.
As regards the Futuristic Main Battle Tank (FMBT), its development commenced in 2010 and would be inducted into the Indian Army from 2020 onwards. The FMBT will be a lighter tank of 50 tons.
FMBT
(Though off topic, but interesting info for those who want to know what the heck the FMBT is all about!)
> In-built stealth from the ground up, including paints/materials to provide limited invisibility in IR/visible spectrum and for scrambling and avoidance of detection.
> Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system to obviate chances of own tanks firing at each other in battle.
> A whole new reliable and secure mobile communication system capable of data transmission, audio and video conference.
> Protection in the form of soft-kill systems with IR detectors, laser warning, radar warning and devices to instantaneously integrate these signals to control a countermeasure suite.
> Hybrid electric vehicle technology incorporating digital vehicle electronics (vetronics) to provide intra-vehicle and inter-vehicle communication capability that will greatly improve sit awareness and enhance operational effectiveness.
> A Hyberbar engine that will be able to accelerate from zero to full power at 1,500 hp in 2.8 seconds, while a conventional diesel engine requires 8-12 seconds.
> Active suspension system with sensors, control units, and a hydraulic power source in combination, to automatically alter the suspension characteristics to more closely match the speed of the vehicle and the terrain profile, especially in Indian terrain conditions.
> Explosive Reactive Armour against main battlefield threats that include Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGMs), unguided anti tank rockets and grenades; shaped charge High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) gun rounds; Kinetic Energy (KE) gun rounds; and top-attack weapons like intelligent sub-munitions, terminally guided artillery rounds, etc.
> Automatic Protection Systems (APS). The radar would determine threat levels adequately, and the self-defence rockets would not cause high levels of collateral damage, particularly to accompanying dismounted infantry.
> Extended-range missiles enabling the FMBT to engage targets beyond the direct fire zone. The high/medium-energy level vehicle-mounted laser is expected to be a lethality option against rockets, air vehicles, light ground vehicles, antennas of armoured vehicles and electro-optical sensors.
> Hard-kill system to provide full-spectrum defence against top attack weapons, ATGMs, guided missiles and gun-launched KE and HEAT rounds.
> Fire Control System (FCS): Ground sensors, non-line-of-sight launch system and the network capability to enhance soldiers understanding of their situation in dynamic battlefield conditions by promoting a common perspective of enemy and friendly locations on digital maps and provide timely actionable intelligence.
Well, that's a lot of hard boiled stuff for a tank!! Let's hope that the production/induction scheduled is maintained and not follow the history of its predecessor. But then with so much experience behind them, the time line of 2020 is very much possible!
Cheers!
