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Arjun tank
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India’s indigenous Arjun tank project began in 1974, and originally aimed to replace the Russian T-54 and T-72 tanks which made up the bulk of that country’s armored firepower. As has often been the case in India, its DRDO government weapons development agency sought an entirely made in India solution, even though this would require major advances on a number of fronts for Indian industry. As has often been the case in India, the result was a long and checkered history filled with development delays, performance issues, mid-project specifications changes by India’s military, and the eventual purchase of both foreign substitutions within the project (now 58% of the tank’s cost) and foreign competitors from outside it (the T-90S).

As of July 2008, the 58.5 tonne Arjun tank still hasn’t been fielded with the Indian Army. In contrast, Pakistan’s much more time-limited, scope-limited, and budget conscious approach in developing and successfully fielding its T-80UD “Al-Khalid” tank is often cited by Arjun’s detractors.

Now reports from India indicate that the Russian T-90S will form the mainstay of its future force, despite that tank’s performance issues in hot weather. At the same time, the Indian Army wants to cap production of indigenous Arjun tanks – while entering talks with Russia regarding the joint design of a next-generation tank beyond the T-90s…

T-90, backside ollie
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Production of the Arjun will be capped at the already-committed total of 124 vehicles. Instead, development will begin on a new next-generation tank, which will be able to serve the Indian Army over the next 20-30 years.

Opinion in India appears to be sharply split. Many observers are citing this as the final failure that will close the book on a failed project. Other are noting the problems with the T-90s, and the Army’s refusal to conduct side-by-side tests, alongside recent test successes that are earning the Arun some military fans.

DRDO has made allegation of sabotage involving the Arjun’s engine, and insists that a 500 vehicle order will give it the volume needed to iron out all production difficulties and provide a platform for future development.

In contrast, the Army’s plan calls for 1,657 T-90S “Bhishma” tanks at about 12 crore (currently $2.78 million) each if prices remain stable, about 1,000 of which are slated to be built in India. They will be joined by just 124 Arjuns at about 16.8 crore (currently $3.92 million) each, as well as 692 older T-72 tanks upgraded to the T-72M1 “Ajeya” standard. This overall plan changes the force structure proposed in 2006, from 3,780 tanks (1,302 T-90s and 2,480 T-72s) to 2,473 higher-end tanks.

See also: Jane’s | Times of India | Indian Business Standard (pro) | Hindustan Times | domain-B | Thaindian News | Thaindian News (re: sabotage) |
Business Standard (April, pro) | Rediff (April, pro).

UPDATES:

T-90
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May 25/09: India’s DRDO is scheduled to deliver another 16 Arjun tanks to the Indian Army, according to the Press Trust of India. DRDO’s CVRDE laboratory has reportedly already delivered 29 Arjun tanks this far, in 2 installments. The forthcoming delivery would raise the total to 45, the number required for an Arjun tank regiment. India Defence.

July 22/08: ANI reports from India’s Technology Seminar on ‘Future Infantry Combat Vehicle and Future Main Battle Tank,’ and the winds all appear to be blowing toward greater private sector involvement.

Current Defence Minister A K Antony noted that the new defence purchase policy envisages a greater role for the private sector in supplying much needed equipment to the country’s armed forces, and added that the focus of the new rules and procedures in the defence procurement procedures 2008 (DPP 2008) is on ensuring speedier procurements. Also:

”...Chief of the Army Staff, General Deepak Kapoor, pointed out that while technology was critical for any nation’s defence system, “what was also needed was the need to check any time and procedural delays.” He said that while it was important to stress on indigenisation and collaborative approach, “we should not compromise on our operational capabilities.”

....Lt. Gen. Dalip Bhardwaj, Director-General Mechanised Forces, said that the time was right for greater private sector involvement in supplying defence equipment. “However, the industry must keep in mind the defence sector’s end needs and not just the technology.” According to him what the industry needs to do is to develop products that have a longer shelf life.”

July 21/08: India and Russia may be gearing up to develop the T-90’s successor as a joint project. Rediff quotes Nikolai Malykh, director general of Russia’s biggest tank producer Uralvagonzavod:

“We put forward this idea (of developing the tank) at the turn of the 21st century. The Indian side has now come up with a similar proposal… We will take the first step when our experts go to India to attend a conference on the future tank and prospects for the tank-building industry.”

Moscow Defence Brief magazine claims that the new tank may have a new main gun of up to 152 mm caliber, higher speed, a smoother ride, improved networking, and an armour-protected crew compartment sealed from an unmanned turret equipped with an automatic loader. A new hunter-killer fire control system would include target acquisition in optical, thermal, infrared and radar spectrum that will be accessible both to the gunner and tank commander.

This is interesting on 2 levels. One item worth noting is the BrahMos programs use as a model. If adopted, the successor program to the Arun tank is likely to have far less DRDO involvement and control. The second item is the feature set itself, which reflects Russian thinking. It is worth reminding oneself, however, no deal has been signed as of yet. And that initial wish lists for features are just that, until a working model is fielded. Rediff report.