Govt okays order for Arjun MK-1A tanks

NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Tuesday cleared domestic military purchases worth ₹13,700 crore, including army proposals to buy 118 Arjun MK-1A tanks and equip armoured fighting vehicles (AFVS) with modern protection and countermeasure systems, officials said.

While the new tanks will cost ₹8,380 crore, the protection systems for the army’s fleet of more than 3,000 AFVS (tanks and infantry combat vehicles) will cost ₹5,300 crore, the officials said. The order for the tanks could be placed with the Ordnance

Factory Board (OFB) this year, with five tanks to be delivered within 30 months of the signing of the contract, Hindustan Times has learnt. This will be followed by the delivery of 30 tanks every year.

The Arjun MK-1A is an upgraded version of the Arjun Mk-1, currently in army service. The new tank will come with 71 upgrades over the existing variant, including 14 major improvements such as better firepower, auto target tracker, remote-controlled weapon system and countermeasure systems, said one of the officials. The upgrades significantly improve the tank’s lethality, mobility and survivability, he said.