Major proportion of Arjun tanks in service not operational

[Windjammer]

NEW DELHI: The Army is facing major technical issues with its 'indigenous' Arjun tanks, as a significant proportion of its fleet has become inoperable in recent months and are non-serviceable due to continued maintenance problems.

The Army, which reluctantly inducted 124 tanks from 2009, after the UPA government insisted that a token number have to be ordered to keep the tank development programme viable, has of late been having quality problems with the fleet.

The defence minister has been apprised of the issue. Sources said that the Army's opinion is that while a large number of tanks are not operational due to technical defects, the fleet as such is not combat worthy due to reliability issues. "A number of tanks are not operational currently as transfer of technology (ToT) of several imported systems fitted onboard has not been done," an Army official said.

The Army is surprised that quality issues have started arising even though the entire fleet came into service as recently as 2013 when deliveries ended. Given that the tanks are highly dependent on foreign equipment — 60% of the tank is imported — the failure to get maintenance technology means that the systems have to be sent abroad for even minor repairs.

It is believed that a meeting on the low serviceability rate of the Arjun fleet was conducted at South Block recently and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is aware of the problems. The Army has identified 96 problems, including 18 major ones. The minister has been keen to increase the efficiency of existing platforms available with the military given that there is a paucity of funds to procure new systems.

In IAF, he has personally intervened to ensure that the availability rate of the Su 30 fleet improves by at least 10%. A similar approach is being taken for the Army too. DRDO is, meanwhile, working on the development of a successor in the form of the Arjun Mk II.



Army's fleet of Arjun tanks face technical issues; major proportion of 124 tanks in service not operational - The Economic Times

 

[Paranoid Android]

Its a lesson & next time we need to be concerned.These spare parts should be implemented from local suppliers & TOT issues should be our main concern..

 

[SamantK]

NEW DELHI: The Army is facing major technical issues with its 'indigenous' Arjun tanks, as a significant proportion of its fleet has become inoperable in recent months and are non-serviceable due to continued maintenance problems.

The Army, which reluctantly inducted 124 tanks from 2009, after the UPA government insisted that a token number have to be ordered to keep the tank development programme viable, has of late been having quality problems with the fleet.

The defence minister has been apprised of the issue. Sources said that the Army's opinion is that while a large number of tanks are not operational due to technical defects, the fleet as such is not combat worthy due to reliability issues. "A number of tanks are not operational currently as transfer of technology (ToT) of several imported systems fitted onboard has not been done," an Army official said.

The Army is surprised that quality issues have started arising even though the entire fleet came into service as recently as 2013 when deliveries ended. Given that the tanks are highly dependent on foreign equipment — 60% of the tank is imported — the failure to get maintenance technology means that the systems have to be sent abroad for even minor repairs.

It is believed that a meeting on the low serviceability rate of the Arjun fleet was conducted at South Block recently and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is aware of the problems. The Army has identified 96 problems, including 18 major ones. The minister has been keen to increase the efficiency of existing platforms available with the military given that there is a paucity of funds to procure new systems.

In IAF, he has personally intervened to ensure that the availability rate of the Su 30 fleet improves by at least 10%. A similar approach is being taken for the Army too. DRDO is, meanwhile, working on the development of a successor in the form of the Arjun Mk II.



Army's fleet of Arjun tanks face technical issues; major proportion of 124 tanks in service not operational - The Economic Times

Arjun Mk1 had problems and it was very well known.

I hope the same is not the problem with Mk2

 

[Abingdonboy]

Non-availbilty of spares that leads to low serviceability rates of their frontline equipment is something that has plagued the Indian armed forces for a LONG time, they are only now beginning to learn their lesson.


The DM said this issue with the MKIs would be addressed i.e. they would now store far more spares, I'm sure he will ensure similar treatment for the MBT fleet.

 

[migflug]

All this for armata and nothing else. Beware khal drogo is coming

 

[Windjammer]

Arjun Mk1 had problems and it was very well known.

I hope the same is not the problem with Mk2

There maybe new technologies involved but what i fail to understand is that India has had the nucleus of both aircraft and Tank manufacturing industry for some 50 years, yet it's still dogged by issues even for the manufacturing of say the Sitara trainer.

 

[tsinga]

There maybe new technologies involved but what i fail to understand is that India has had the nucleus of both aircraft and Tank manufacturing industry for some 50 years, yet it's still dogged by issues even for the manufacturing of say the Sitara trainer.

Indeed.
Only the private sector can rid us of these problems, the public sector is extra-ordinarily inefficient.

And the private sector in earnest has been allowed to start in defense industry only about a year back. It will take about a decade for them to become strong and take things over from the PSU's.

 

[SamantK]

There maybe new technologies involved but what i fail to understand is that India has had the nucleus of both aircraft and Tank manufacturing industry for some 50 years, yet it's still dogged by issues even for the manufacturing of say the Sitara trainer.

Sitara trainer was a standalone effort by a single DPSU HAL which is a production agency and had very little experience in development.

But they made good with Dhruv and now LCH, they are coming of age, all they need is a corporate style functioning and not some sarkari type job.

 

[punit]

Arjun Mk1 had problems and it was very well known.

I hope the same is not the problem with Mk2

people here will still blame IA !

 

[salwararmy]

NEW DELHI: The Army is facing major technical issues with its 'indigenous' Arjun tanks, as a significant proportion of its fleet has become inoperable in recent months and are non-serviceable due to continued maintenance problems.

The Army, which reluctantly inducted 124 tanks from 2009, after the UPA government insisted that a token number have to be ordered to keep the tank development programme viable, has of late been having quality problems with the fleet.

The defence minister has been apprised of the issue. Sources said that the Army's opinion is that while a large number of tanks are not operational due to technical defects, the fleet as such is not combat worthy due to reliability issues. "A number of tanks are not operational currently as transfer of technology (ToT) of several imported systems fitted onboard has not been done," an Army official said.

The Army is surprised that quality issues have started arising even though the entire fleet came into service as recently as 2013 when deliveries ended. Given that the tanks are highly dependent on foreign equipment — 60% of the tank is imported — the failure to get maintenance technology means that the systems have to be sent abroad for even minor repairs.

It is believed that a meeting on the low serviceability rate of the Arjun fleet was conducted at South Block recently and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is aware of the problems. The Army has identified 96 problems, including 18 major ones. The minister has been keen to increase the efficiency of existing platforms available with the military given that there is a paucity of funds to procure new systems.

In IAF, he has personally intervened to ensure that the availability rate of the Su 30 fleet improves by at least 10%. A similar approach is being taken for the Army too. DRDO is, meanwhile, working on the development of a successor in the form of the Arjun Mk II.



Army's fleet of Arjun tanks face technical issues; major proportion of 124 tanks in service not operational - The Economic Times

Indian "Chest Thumping" DRDO is nothing but a bunch of noob Scientists who just got a position in Gov & now they are all sitting & waiting to retire. The "self styled" DRDO need to learn from China & PAC how to build a PROVEN war machine within a Decade.

 

[ArsalanKhan21]

Only the private sector can rid us of these problems, the public sector is extra-ordinarily inefficient. And the private sector in earnest has been allowed to start in defense industry only about a year back. It will take about a decade for them to become strong and take things over from the PSU's.

Pakistan should also have Public-Private joint development of defense manufacturing. Unlike India, Pakistan does not have private sector with enough capital and experience to start large scale defense manufacturing.

 

[SamantK]

people here will still blame IA !

Its not just about IA, the politicians should be blamed too.

Mk1 production was stopped and so the spare parts challenges will come no matter what, the politicians should have made Mk1 as a tech demo and should have asked DRDO to focus on development of Mk2 instead of forcing the IA to maintain these.

The other way would be stop the t90 imports and induct mk1 in large numbers but with less capabilities, that would not be very wise though.

 

[IND151]

Indian "Chest Thumping" DRDO is nothing but a bunch of noob Scientists who just got a position in Gov & now they are all sitting & waiting to retire. The "self styled" DRDO need to learn from China & PAC how to build a PROVEN war machine within a Decade.

And who made Agni 2, Agni 4, K 4 etc?

Agni 5 made it from Drawing Board to Reality in 3 years.

 

[AnnoyingOrange]

NEW DELHI: The Army is facing major technical issues with its 'indigenous' Arjun tanks, as a significant proportion of its fleet has become inoperable in recent months and are non-serviceable due to continued maintenance problems.

The Army, which reluctantly inducted 124 tanks from 2009, after the UPA government insisted that a token number have to be ordered to keep the tank development programme viable, has of late been having quality problems with the fleet.

The defence minister has been apprised of the issue. Sources said that the Army's opinion is that while a large number of tanks are not operational due to technical defects, the fleet as such is not combat worthy due to reliability issues. "A number of tanks are not operational currently as transfer of technology (ToT) of several imported systems fitted onboard has not been done," an Army official said.

The Army is surprised that quality issues have started arising even though the entire fleet came into service as recently as 2013 when deliveries ended. Given that the tanks are highly dependent on foreign equipment — 60% of the tank is imported — the failure to get maintenance technology means that the systems have to be sent abroad for even minor repairs.

It is believed that a meeting on the low serviceability rate of the Arjun fleet was conducted at South Block recently and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is aware of the problems. The Army has identified 96 problems, including 18 major ones. The minister has been keen to increase the efficiency of existing platforms available with the military given that there is a paucity of funds to procure new systems.

In IAF, he has personally intervened to ensure that the availability rate of the Su 30 fleet improves by at least 10%. A similar approach is being taken for the Army too. DRDO is, meanwhile, working on the development of a successor in the form of the Arjun Mk II.



Army's fleet of Arjun tanks face technical issues; major proportion of 124 tanks in service not operational - The Economic Times

Army procurement kickbacks not coming in is really hurting some Gernails... so this is going to happen.... they will push back at anything that does not allow them to make money.

 

[tsinga]

Pakistan should also have Public-Private joint development of defense manufacturing. Unlike India, Pakistan does not have private sector with enough capital and experience to start large scale defense manufacturing.

Yes, but Pakistani defense undertakings are run by their Army which makes them efficient because of the direct needs of the army.

In India, PSU's work under MoD bureaucracy, so they have neither any vision nor any urgency.

However, as I said, things should start changing slowly now that the private sector is being let in.