Arjun - modern Indian main battle tank. In the early 1950s in India, it was decided to start work on the development of the new Indian MBT, later known as the tank Arjun. In order to eliminate the dependence on foreign countries in the development and production of armored vehicles, and put the country on a par with the superpowers in respect of the quality of the tank, Government of India 1974 , authorized the project on the development of the tank.
Tank Ardjun – video
One of the first prototypes of the tank “Ardjun” It was released in April 1985 of the year. Weight combat vehicle around 50 tonnes, It planned, that the tank will cost around $ 1,6 millions of US dollars. However, the cost of the tank increased slightly from the 80s, and tank development process faced delays. As a result, the final product has become visually resemble a German tank “Leopard 2”, but, unlike German tank, its future remains in doubt. Despite the production of its own tank India plans to bulk purchases and Russian T-90 tanks, although there is an order for the production 124 tanks “Ardjun” on Indian defense facilities.
Tank Ardjun Mk1
Were that to posts 2000 it was planned to put in troops 1500 tanks “Ardjun” to replace the outdated tank “Vidjayanta”, however, this has not happened. Judging by the increase in imported parts were the fault of the technical problems. However, to be armed with a tank of national nazrabotki for India a matter of honor, especially against the background of attempts to Pakistan to build your tank “Al-Khalid”.
Indian Arjun tank has a classical scheme. The driver is located in front and to the right, turret is located in the central part of the housing. The tank commander and gunner are in the tower on the right, left – charging. Behind the power unit a tank mounted. 120-mm rifled tank gun is stabilized in all planes, when shooting using only the unitary shots. With primary armament mounted SP 7.62 mm, roof mounted 12.7mm PO. Standard equipment includes a tank computer OMS, DU, system RKHBZ. The rear housing part is usually mounted with the drum supply of fuel.
Tank Ardjun Mk2
59-ton “Ardjun” may reach a maximum speed 70 kmh (55 mi / h) on the highway and cross country – 40 km / h with. To ensure the safety of the crew uses proprietary composite armor, automatic detection and extinguishing, and the system of combating weapons of mass destruction.
Arjun tank has an integrated fuel system, advanced electric and other special systems, such as a complex system of detection and extinguishing, consisting of infrared detectors for fire detection and extinguishing systems – it works and prevents the explosion in the crew compartment during 200 millisecond, and in the engine compartment during 15 seconds, thereby increasing the efficiency of the tank and crew survivability. The armor protection of the bow of a welded hull – combined, with a large angle of inclination of the upper front plate. The sides of the body are protected protivokumulyativnymi screens, the front part of which is made of armor material. Frontal sheets welded towers are arranged vertically and are combined barrier.
Shells and hydropneumatic suspension sealed to prevent ingress of dust and water infiltration into the body during surgery in a swampy area or wade the movement of the tank. In the chassis used unregulated hydropneumatic suspension, gable wheels with external damping and with rubber-coated caterpillars silentblocks and removable rubber pads. Originally planned to install in the tank of a gas turbine engine power 1500 l. from., but later the decision was changed in favor of the 12-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine of the same power. Engine power generated samples in the range of 1200 to 1500 l. from. In connection with the need to finalize design of the engine on the first production batch of tanks installed in Germany bought the firm MTU engines power 1100 l. from. and automatic transmission ZF series. Simultaneously, the possibility is considered of manufacturing turbomachine license M1A1 tank or diesel engines, used on tanks “Tour” and “Leopard-2”.
The fire control system includes a laser rangefinder sight, two-plane stabilizer, electronic ballistic computer and thermal sight. The possibility of the fire control system in night-time driving is a major step forward for Indian armored troops.
Further improvements of the tank were considered necessary even after, as a profile and design of the tank “Ardjun” It was approved , but the list of deficiencies after 20 years of development was big enough. In addition to numerous technical changes management system, fire control system, in particular, the control system is unable to work steadily in the afternoon in the desert – at a temperature above 42 degrees Celsius (108 ° F). Defects were found during testing of the tank “Ardjun” in the desert of Rajasthan – main engine was overheating. first 120 tanks were constructed to the year 2001 and at a cost of 4,2 million US dollars each, but other estimates put the cost of a single tank has exceeded 5,6 million US dollars for each. Manufacture of tanks parties may take longer, than planned.
Army bosses of the armed forces of India says, that the tank “Ardjun” It was very cumbersome for strategic movement, t. it is. for transportation by railways in India from one area of the country to another in the event of a threat in a particular sector of the country. tank projects were adopted in the early 80s 20 century Indian industry was not ready to launch a full-fledged production of this car. The delay in the development of tank armament systems “Ardjun”, not only led to significant loss of income, as well as to the late procurement of weapons systems from other countries. Even after more than 32 years, the industry is not ready to meet the needs of its army in modern tanks.
Variants planned combat vehicles based on tank “Ardjun” include mobile assault guns, transportation, observation posts of air defense, recovery vehicles, engineering vehicles. Given the significant weight gain “Ardjun” compared to the Soviet tank T-72 series, It took the car launched bridges to overcome the water barrier.
Modifications of Arjun tank
"Arjun I-Series"
"Arjun II-Series"
23 February 2011 , the Defense Research and Development Organization of India has announced the completion of a new version of the national tank. According to the plans DRDO, the first phase of testing of a new military "Arjun II-Series" will begin in June 2011 of the year, and the second - 2012 year.
Mass production is scheduled for the tank 2014 year (in the same time, that its acceptance into service).
Major changes caused by localized production German engine MTU MB838 Ka-501 and transmission Renk RK 304S for increasing production localization to 90 %, as well as increased firepower by introducing more high-end development. So, eg, A new version of the tank will be capable of launching anti-tank missiles through the gun barrel.
Arjun will also receive a new active-reactive armor, guidance and monitoring system, as well as night vision systems and communication equipment. On tank will be installed upgraded reactive armor "Kontakt-5", which will increase the protection of the tank.
In September 2011 year A. TO. Antony, Indian Defense Minister, reported, The new Indian tank "Arjun II-Series" will cost 370 crore (6,27 million dollars) per unit. According to the minister, production of tanks "Arjun II-Series" on the state-owned factories HVF (Heavy Vehicles Factory) in g. Awadi in southern India is transferred to the 2015 year. Replace the army tanks T-72M and T-55. On 90 % It is of Indian accessories, can fire missiles through the gun barrel.
armed with
India - 124 "Arjun I-Series" (2 tank regiment), as of 2011 year. The first batch of these tanks in the amount of 124 units was commissioned in 2000 year. In the middle of May 2010 , the Indian Army placed a second order for another 124 Arjun Mk.I. It is also planned to produce at least 250 "Arjun II-Series".
The performance characteristics of the tank Arjun Mk1
Crew, pers.: 4
developer: Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment
Manufacturer: Heavy Vehicles Factory
years of production: from 2006
years of operation: from 2011
The number of issued, PC.: 124
The layout: classical
Wes Ardjun
– 58,5 tonnes
Dimensions Arjun
– Length with gun forward, mm: 10 194
– housing width, mm: 3847
– Height, mm: 2320
– Clearance, mm: 450
Bronya Ardjun
– Type broni: kombinirovannaya 'Kanchan', protivosnaryadnym
Voorujyeniye Ardjun
– Caliber guns and stamp: 120-mm
– gun type: nareznaya
– gun ammunition: 39
– firing range, km: PTUR: 6,0
– sights: periscopic, panoramic, thermal imager and laser rangefinder
– Shotgun: 1 × 12,7-mm NSVT, 1 × 7,62-mm TK715A
– Other weapons: PTUR LAXAT '
Dvigatyeli Ardjun
– engine's type: MB838 Ka-501
– Engine power, l. from.: 1400
Arjun speed
– Road speed, kmh: 70
– Speed over rough terrain, kmh: 40
– Cruising on the highway, km: 360
– Cruising cross country, km: 210
– power density, l. p. / m: 23,9
– suspension type: individual hydropneumatic
– Unit ground pressure, kg / cm²: 0,84
– Gradeability, city.: 35
– to overcome the wall, m: 0,9
– trench, m: 2,45
– fording, m: 1,4 (2,1 with the preparation)
Photo thangka Ardjun
