Arjun Mk-1A Main Battle Tanks (MBT)

In News

• In order to boost the “Make in India” initiative in the Defence sector, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently placed an order for the procurement of 118 of the main battle tank (MBT) Arjun Mk-1A for deployment with the Indian Army.

What is the Arjun Main Battle Tank?

• About:
  • The Arjun Main Battle Tank project was initiated by DRDO in 1972 with the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) as its lead laboratory.
• Objective: 
  • To create a “state-of-the-art tank with superior fire power, high mobility, and excellent protection”.
• Features:
  • The Arjun tanks stand out for their ‘Fin Stabilised Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS)’ ammunition and 120-mm calibre rifled gun. 
  •  It also has a computer-controlled integrated fire control system with stabilised sighting that works in all lighting conditions. 
• Different from earlier version
  • The development of Arjun Mk1 was followed by improved variants – Mk1A and MkII.
  •  The latest version is 54.3 per cent indeginous content against the 41 per cent in the earlier model.

                 Image courtesy:theindianhawk.com                 

Source: IE