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The Arjun Mk.2 has
improved protection, firepower and mobility over it's predecessor
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CB - The Arjun
Mk.2 is an improved version of the original
Arjun main battle tank. It was developed in cooperation with
Israeli defense companies. A total of 13 major improvements were
made. After prolonged development the original Arjun Mk.1 entered service
with the Indian Army in 2004. However the original MBT failed to impress the Army
and improvements were required in order to make it combat-worthy.
The new Arjun Mk.2 has improved protection, firepower and mobility
over it's predecessor. Trials of the Arjun Mk.2 began in 2012.
It was first publicly revealed in 2014. Series production is expected to begin a couple of years later. It
should replace the ageing Cold War era T-55 and
T-72M tanks in service with
the Indian Army. It is worth noting that it becomes increasingly
difficult to maintain a fleet of ageing tanks.
The Arjun
Mk.2 has some design similarities with the German
Leopard 2A5 main battle tank.
It is claimed that this new Indian tank weights a whooping 68 t.
Which makes it the heaviest tank in the world. It is even heavier
than the American
M1A2
Abrams or British
Challenger 2. The Arjun Mk.2 is
criticized as being too heavy. There are many problems with it's
excessive weight, such as limited cross-country mobility, limiting areas where it can be
deployed. Also it is difficult to transport this tank to the front
line.
Hull and
turret of the Arjun Mk.2 were redesigned. Protection was improved by
improved Kanchan armor. Also locally-developed explosive reactive armor modules
were added. It seems
that the new ERA is based on the Russian Kontakt-5 technology,
developed in the 1980s and used on the
T-90 and
some other Soviet/Russian tanks. Armor
modules
counter APFSDS and HEAT rounds, as well as RPG rounds. Ready to use
ammunition is stored in the turret bustle with blow-out panels.
Other rounds are also conteinerized. The Arjun Mk.2 is also fitted with advanced laser warning and countermeasures
system which confuse enemy sensors. As usually this tank is fitted
with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.
This new
main battle tank is armed with a fully-stabilized 120-mm rifled gun, which
is loaded manually. A rifled gun of such caliber is only used on the
British
Challenger 2 MBT. This gun is more accurate at long range
comparing with smoothbore guns. It is claimed that during trials
this new Indian tank outgunned both the T-72M and T-90. The Arjun Mk.2 is
also compatible with Israeli LAHAT
anti-tank guided missiles. Missiles are launched in the same manner
as ordinary projectiles. This tank carries a total of 39 rounds,
including missiles.
This new
main battle tank is fitted with advanced thermal imaging and
panoramic sights, and now has a hunter-killer capability. Fire
control system of the new tank should have a hit probability over
90%, when firing on the move. The new tank also has improved
communication systems and new navigation system.
Secondary
armament consists of coaxial 7.62-mm machine gun and a roof-mounted
remotely controlled weapon station, armed with a 12.7-mm heavy
machine gun.
This new
Indian tank has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader
and driver.
Prototype of
the Arjun Mk.2 is fitted with a German MTU MB 838 Ka-501 diesel
unit, developing 1 400 hp. The same engine is used on Arjun Mk.1.
However it seems that production tanks will be fitted with a more
powerful engine. It is speculated that the new engine will be the Cummins QSK-38 turbocharged diesel unit, developing
about 1 500 hp. It should be coupled with a French transmission.
Also Ukrainian manufacturer proposes for this tank a new 6TD-5
turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 800 hp. The Arjun Mk.2 has
an advanced hydropneumatic suspension system. This tank is also fitted with auxiliary power unit which powers all
systems when the main engine is turned off. This MBT can be also
fitted with a mine plough.
Due to it's
weight the Arjun Mk.2 can not be airlifted by the Indian
Il-76 heavy transport aircraft. It can be carried only by
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III. Indian Air Force ordered 10 of
these aircraft. Deliveries should be completed in 2014.
Credit Military-Today.Com
