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FEATURE/REPORT |
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Quantum Leap |
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Arjun Mk2 will be more expensive with higher import content than its predecessor
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By Prasun K. Sengupta |
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For all intents and purposes, the Arjun Mk2 main battle tank (MBT) — currently
under development since mid-2007, will be more expensive and have a higher
imported content than its predecessor, the Arjun Mk1. But in terms of mobility,
protection and firepower, the Mk2 variant will come closest to what Indian Army
HQ wants: an MBT with highly enhanced crew protection and maximum survivability
in high-intensity, fire-saturated combat environments. To achieve this, the
Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Avadi-based Combat
Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) has roped in both Israel
Military Industries (IMI) and Elbit Systems of Israel, with the former being
responsible for improving the existing Arjun Mk1’s design plus mobility and fuel
consumption, redesigning and modifying the various components of the MBT’s hull
and turret, and providing consultancy for improving production-line processes.
Elbit Systems, on the other hand, will enhance the MBT’s firepower and its
accuracy, and provide survivability systems and air-conditioning hardware. The
existing Arjun Mk1 MBT, which was formally inducted into the Army’s 75 Armoured
Regiment on March 12, comes powered by a MTU 838Ka-501 diesel engine (rated at
1,400hp) coupled to a RENK RK-304A transmission, and can achieve a maximum speed
of 70 km/hr (43 mph) and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h (25 mph). A total of
124 Mk1 variants are on order, and will be followed by 124 Mk2 variants, which
were ordered by Army HQ on May 17 last year. The Arjun Mk2 will incorporate a
total of 93 upgrades, including 13 major improvements. Rollout of the first
prototype will take place by this June, and by 2013, the first 30
production-standard Arjun Mk2s will roll out from the Avadi-based, ministry of
defence-owned Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF). |
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Work on developing the Arjun Mk2 began in the second half of 2007 soon after
joint R&D contracts were inked between the CVRDE and the consortium of IMI and
Elbit Systems. On October 31 that year, the CVRDE floated domestic and global
expressions of interest for the co-development of a 1,500hp compact high
specific power output diesel engine incorporating a state-of-the-art direct fuel
injection system, digital electronic controls, turbo-charging, charge air
cooling, safety controls and a pressurised multi-stage air-cleaning system; and
for a hydro-kinetic automatic transmission with four forward and two reverse
gears. Respondents to the CVRDE included Finland-based Wartsila (offering its
V8X-1500 1,500hp hyperbar diesel engine coupled with either SESM of France’s
ESM-500 transmission or US-based Detroit Diesel Allison’s X-1100-3B
transmission), US-based General Dynamics Land Systems offering the EuroPowerPack
comprising MTU of Germany’s MT-883 engine along with Renk’s HSWL-295TM
transmission, UK-based Perkins proposing its CV12 Condor diesel engine coupled
to with the ESM-500 transmission, and US-based Cummins offering a customised
QSK-38 liquid-cooled, direct-injection engine coupled to the ESM-500. In late
2009, a combination of the QSK-38/ESM-500 powerpack was selected as the winner,
following which Cummins India began customising this powerpack design. The
ESM-500 automatic transmission, with five forward and two reverse gears,
contains a planetary gearbox with shifting, steering and braking systems. It is
also equipped with a hydrodynamic steering system, which allows
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January 2012
Issue
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