Arjun tanks put to test in Chennai
India’s very own Arjun tank is at a test track in Avadi near Chennai. After two decades of trials and controversy, its fate will be decided next month.
In a showdown in Rajasthan, a squadron of 14 Arjun tanks will face off against Russian T-72 and T-90s, the backbone of the army’s strike corps. In the comparative trial, Indian technology will be pitted against Russian. To see which tank is better in the desert sand’s blazing heat and at pinpoint shooting at targets over two kilometers away even in pitch darkness.
Dafedar Binteshwar is a veteran on Russian tanks. Now, clearly his money’s on the Arjun. “Arjun is one of the best tanks in the world. It’s a Main Battle Tank and we trust it completely,” said Dafedar Binteshwar, Commander, Arjun Tank.
For years, the Arjun’s headaches centred around its hydro-gas suspension, the wheels that absorb the shocks of rough ground and provide a stable platform for the tank’s big gun. That seems fixed now. The high speed run over 3 metre obstacles is beyond most other tanks.
“I’m 200 per cent confident of the superiority of the Arjun. But I think a more convincing answer lies in a comparative trials along with the T-72 and the T-90 provided such a trial is conducted on a level playing field, which means simultaneous trials in the same terrain and ambient conditions of visibility operating temperature etc,” said Major Gen H M Singh, Additional Director, Arjun R&D.
Next month’s trials will determine whether the Arjun will be just a token presence in the army’s fleet or maybe someday its backbone. So far, an unconvinced army has ordered just 124 tanks for its 3800 strong fleet. “I am sure MBT Arjun will be a reality. It will be a reality,” said AK Antony, Minister, Defence
It depends on the final trials. It depends on the final trials. Unlike in the past, the makers of the Arjun tank say it is far better prepared to be put through any trials. Fourteen Arjun tanks are ready for the June comparative trials against the T-72s and T-90s that the army puts its faith in. Will the Arjun come out tops? It’s makers say it will. Source: NDTV
Leave a Reply