The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - The Indian Arjun MBT - Aug. 9th, 2005

www.globalsecurity.org | http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/arjun.htm

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

.................................................................. .................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

Our Mission:

The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.

In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.

The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer.

If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions.

We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.

To read previous Foxhole threads or
to add the Foxhole to your sidebar,
click on the books below.

Arjun MBT

At the end of the 1971 war, the Indian army realized the limitations of their tank fleet in the harsh desert conditions of Rajasthan, a northwestern Indian state bordering Pakistan, so they initiated their own MBT design. The Main Battle Tank (MBT) occupies a pivotal role in the present day battle field on account of its ability to provide accurate fire power with cross country mobility, reasonable protection from conventional and nuclear threats and flexible response to changing battle situations.

In order to eliminate dependence on foreign countries for design and manufacture of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) and to place the country on par with super powers with regard to quality of tanks and also to eliminate completely the requirement of foreign exchange (FE) in the production of tanks, Government in May 1974 sanctioned a project for design and development of MBT by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at a total cost of Rs 15.50 crore (FE Rs 3.70 crore). The tanks were to be in service during 1985 to 2000 AD and were in replacement of existing tanks which were expected to be out-dated beyond 1985.


An early production type of the Arjun Mk.1 - note the slightly raised hull and the headlights on the front without their T-72esque shielding cages. Also the smoke grenade launchers are fitted forward of the turret, as compared to the present production type which is located at the back.

The first “Arjun” (named after a mythical Hindu warrior prince) concept was laid out in 1974 by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Based on 1971 battlefield experiences, the Arjun would have a locally-designed, rifled 120mm main gun, a German, MTU-based diesel powerplant (The Indians consider turbine engines fuel guzzlers), and a computerized fire control system with a laser rangefinder.

The Main Battle Tank Project sanctioned in May 1974 envisaged bulk production by April 1984. However this time frame was not adhered to and was revised from time to time and bulk production was to commence from 1990 onwards but even the revised time frame could not be adhered to. As per time frame fixed in May 1974, four mild steel prototypes were to be offered for trials by April 1980 and eight armoured prototypes by April 1982. Trickle production was due to commence by April 1983 and bulk production by April 1984. This schedule was revised from time to time.



One of the early Arjun prototypes was unveiled in April 1985, with a number of prototypes undergoing technical testing while desert trials were scheduled for that summer. At the time, it was reported to have a 120mm smooth-bore main gun and would use a 1400-hp MTU-based diesel until an indigenous one was ready. Weight would be about 50 tons, and the tank would cost about $1.6 million (U.S.). Development costs rose about 500 percent throughout the ’80s, and through a development process plagued with delays, the end product visually resembles the German Leopard II, however, unlike the German vehicle, its future remains in doubt.

A total of 12 MK-I prototypes based on imported propulsion unit, seven MK-II prototypes with indigenous propulsion were to be delivered by June 1987 and June 1990 respectively; 23 MK-I, PPS tanks by December 1988 and bulk production was to commence from 1990 onwards. As against this, 12 MK-I prototypes with imported propulsion were produced by February 1989 and 15 MK-I PPS tanks upto December 1996. MK-II type prototype were not expected to be ready in the near future on account of the delays in the development of the indigenous engine.



The automotive trials of two prototypes carried out by Army during 1988-89 revealed major deficiencies. The Army, therefore, on 26 July 1989 wanted these deficiencies to be sorted out before commencement of production of pre-production series (PPS). However, on 31 July 1989 Ministry decided to place orders for the production of PPS tanks. Two fully integrated prototypes were given to the Army for full fledged evaluation only in March 1990 after the commencement of production of PPS tanks. The evaluation trials of the prototypes also revealed major deficiencies. Subsequent trials were conducted on PPS tanks. Till July 1997, 15 pre-production series tanks which were subjected to extensive user and troop trials failed to meet fully even the bottom line parameters of the user.

As of mid-2000 India planned to acquire T-90 tanks, based on field trials which had already been completed. Although orders had been placed for the supply of 124 Arjun tanks through the Defence Research Development Organisation, it would be difficult to predict when these orders would be fufilled. Until such time, T-90 tanks would serve to counter Pakistan's T-85 tanks.


120 Millimetre MBT Arjun Armament System

Pakistan’s announcment in 1995 of a deal with Ukraine to purchase T-84s caused a flurry of activity in the Indian tank development community. And on 9 January 1996, the Arjun was formally unveiled and cleared for mass production. Further improvements were deemed necessary even after the Arjun design profile was accepted again in July 1996. On 27 August 1996, the Defense Production and Supplies Secretary ordered 15 pre-production tanks from the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi (at which point, estimates placed the project cost at $112 million).

The Summer trials carried out in April 1997 on PPS-15, reference tank for bulk production indicated that though there was improvement from the previous years, it was still below the acceptable standards. The major deficiencies pointed out in the summer trials of 1996 i.e. accuracy of gun at battle ranges, mission reliability, lethality of ammunition, containerisation of ammunition bin, emergency traverse etc. continue to persist and were yet to be solved. The Army accordingly indicated in July 1997 that in its present form, the overall reliability of MBT Arjun was far from satisfactory. The Army further indicated that periodic failures of equipment and subsystems tend to reduce the confidence level of troops. The Army also observed that the aspect of armour protection had not been tried out.Army recommended in June 1997 that Limited Series Production should commence only after all the observations and shortcomings noticed were rectified and shown to them.


A close-up shot of the Arjun Mk.1 reveals the gunner's main sight.

As of mid-1997 the list of faults after 20 years of development was not encouraging. In addition to numerous technical modifications to its fire and gun control systems, the fire control system in particular has been found unable to perform in temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius (108° F). The DRDO has been considering scrapping the current Arjun fire control system in favor of whatever is accepted for the T-72M1 upgrade program. Defects noticed during the user trials of the Arjun Mk.1 MBT, including over-heating of the engine in Rajasthan desert areas, had supposedly been “by and large overcome” while other complaints were being addressed.

MBT Arjun in its present form will require increased maintenance time and efforts-says the Army. The Army accordingly expressed grave concern on the reliability and maintainability of MBT and pointed out that while the world over the trend was to reduce the maintenance time, it had increased with MBT Arjun. According to DRDO, the views expressed by the Army are only a subjective opinion and the analysis of data shows an upward trend in mean time between failures (MTBF) over the years. DRDO have pointed out that trials carried out clearly brought out the efficiency/improvements effected in weapon system and in the automotive area ability to cover the required range in the stipulated time was also proved. They further contended that there is no overheating of the engine in desert conditions. Summer trials of 1997 indicated that the performance was below the acceptable standards.


The Indian-made main battle tank, Arjun, at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Avadi.

Considered comparable to the M1A2 Abrams, Leopard 2, and Leclerc, the 59-ton "15th Variant" can achieve a maximum speed of 70 kph (55 mph) and cross-country speed of 40 kph with its 1400-hp powerplant. The 1,610-liter fuel tank allows for a cruising range of 200 km (120 miles). To ensure crew survivability, production versions will have the indigenously-researched and developed ‘Kanchan’ composite armor, an automatic fire detection and suppression system, and an NBC protection system designed and built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Center.

The rifled 120mm gun, which includes a muzzle reference system, is made of ESR steel and is fitted with a thermal sleeve and fume extractor. All main gun rounds use a semi-combustible cartridge case with increased energy propellant for higher muzzle velocity and greater penetration characteristics. In addition to the usual suite of rounds, an anti-helicopter round is under development as well. The Arjun’s fire control system includes a laser rangefinder, ballistic computer, thermal imaging night sight, stabilized panoramic sight for the tank commander, and a secondary telescopic sight. The LRF (integral to the gunner’s sight) has a range of nearly 10 km and a thermal imager (which can “see”’ at around 5.5 km, recognize a target at 3.1 km and identify targets at 2.5 km). The Arjun fire control system’s ability to fire on the move during the night is a major step forward for Indian armored forces.


An Arjun Mk.1 from the 2nd Independent Armoured Brigade during the inauguration ceremony in 1996. Then incumbent Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, is seen formally inducting the tank into the Armoured Corps.

The Chassis and Automative System of MBT Arjun comprises main chassis, power pack (1400 HP engine coupled to hydromech transmission), running gear with hydropneumatic suspension, integrated fuel system, advanced electrical system and other dedicated special systems like integrated fire detection and suppression system. The chassis is fabricated from rolled homogenous armour plate using advanced welding technique. Frontal armour is of Kanchan composite sandwitched between armour plates. This fully integrated Arjun chassis and Automative System having smooth riding characteristics can be used as a mobile platform for any advanced weapon system. An extremely effective hydropneumatic suspension system has been developed for MBT Arjun. The suspension is externally mounted and provides vehicle springing and damping. It consists of one bogey wheel pair for each suspension station. Gaseous medium in the hydropneumatic suspension is for all terrain maneuverability for exploiting the power available. Casing and hub of the hydropneumatic suspension are sealed for preventing dust ingression and water seepage into the casing during operation in marshy area or shallow/medium fording. The MBT Arjun is fitted with double-pin steel track with detachable rubber pads. It is made out of steel casting having two bores for insertion of rubberised pins. It is an integral piece incorporating guide horns and has got a provision for insertion of detachable pads. The end connectors are induction-hardened in the area which comes in contact with the sprocket teeth to prevent wear.

As the indigenous efforts to develop a suitable engine and transmission system for the MBT were beset with problems, 42 power packs with transmission units were imported between November 1983 and 1988 from Germany for use on the prototypes and PPS tanks. However, as the imported transmission system was designed to cater upto 60 tonne load as against the all-up weight of 61.5 tonne for the MBT, a mismatch had arisen between engine and transmission which had resulted in bulging of side walls of the hull.



The integrated fire and explosion suppression system developed for MBT Arjun is based on state-of-the-art technology. The indigenous development of this system is considered to be a breakthrough in the field of fire protection engineering. It is capable of suppressing hydrocarbon fuel fire/explosion resulting from an enemy hit on the tank or due to any malfunctioning of the engine, transmission or any electrical short circuiting. The system is based on infra-red detectors for the detection of fire/explosion in the crew compartment of the battle tank and a continuous type of linear thermal detector popularly known as fire-wire for the engine compartment. Halon-1301 has been employed as a fire extinguishing medium. The system is capable of detection and suppression of hydrocarbon fuel fire/explosion in the crew compartment within 200 milliseconds and in the engine compartment within 15 s thereby enhancing the chances of survivability of the crew and battle effectiveness of the tank.

The first 120 tanks to be built would cost $4.2 million each, while other cost estimates places the figure at $5.6 million each per tank by 2001, given a purchase of 124 tanks to equip two regiments. Production of the first batch of tanks might take more than the planned five years, given the capacity at the Avadi factory.

Planned Arjun variants include mobile assault guns, an observation post vehicle, an air defense (gun or missile) version, a recovery vehicle, an engineer vehicle, and bridgelayers. New bridgelayers and recovery vehicles were necessary, given the Arjun’s substantial weight increase over the T-72M1 series.

[SAMWolf]

Arjun MBT: Mighty Warrior Or A Mere Mortal?
June 2004

Vishal Kansagra

[Arjun is the name of the mythological warrior from India’s battle epic, the Mahabharata. The discourse that the God Krishna, who in human form is Arjun’scharioteer, gives to him on the battlefield when he, Arjun, revolts at the thought of killing his own kin, is possibly the best philosophical discussion anywhere of a soldier’s duty. The discourse is known as the Baghvad Gita.]


A trio of Arjun Mk.1s, from the 2nd Independent Armoured Brigade, at the 2000 Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. The tanks are sporting a two-tone beige-green camouflage.

Relations between India and Pakistan have been in a state of simmering hostility since the 1971 War, which was characterized by some intense armor battles on both the Eastern and Western fronts.

At the end of that war, the Indian army realized the limitations of their tank fleet in the harsh desert conditions of Rajasthan so they initiated their own indigenous MBT design. The Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) laid out the first MBT-80 proof-of-concept vehicle in 1974.

Three decades later the end product strongly resembles the Leopard II, though it's development process was plagued with delays.

Many had criticized DRDO for its failure to deliver a credible tank to IA after so many years of research. As one of the prominent writer said “DRDO has produced a lemon after all this years of research.”



Since now the future of Arjun is looking quiet promising, it would be prudent toprovide the reader with details of all that went through to make Arjun from a ‘lemon’ to a fearsome MBT (Main Battle Tank).

History

Based on 1971 battlefield experiences, the Arjun (previously called MBT-80) has a rifled 120mm main gun designed by DRDO, a diesel powerplant ( turbine engines are considered fuel-guzzlers) and a digital fire control system with a laser range finder. One of the early 'Chetek' prototypes was unveiled to the public on Indian Republic Day, 26 January 1984.

Another public rollout followed in April 1985, after which the name 'Arjun' became the official name. A number of prototypes (five, with an ultimate goal of 20preproduction vehicles) undergoing technical testing were scheduled for desert trials that summer. Indian Army Chief of Staff Gen A.S. Vaidya and Dr V.S. Arunachalam (Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister) presided at the ceremony, announcing that they planned to have the Arjun in service by the end of the decade.


An Arjun Mk.1 at Def-Expo '99. Notice the two rear fuel drums and the forward-firing smoke grenade discharges on the side of the turret

At the time, it was reported to have a German MTU-based 1400 HP diesel (until an indigenous one was ready), with a weight of 'about' 50 tons (actually 52, though the sketch concepts were around 40-45 tons) and a price tag of US $1.6 million (2 crore rupees, to total 15.5 crore for the whole project). The locally-developed engine, which was expected to deliver 1300-1500 HP from, only delivered 500 with it's turbocharger fitted. However, in 1984 the DRDO was claiming that the transmission was Indian, not German. The tank's 'brains' were a modified Tank Fire Control System (TCFS), which was an upgrade project for the Vicker's Vijayanta based on the Marconi SFCS600, linked to a Barr & Stroud Tank Laser Sight and IR8 Thermal Imager.

The project was further spurred by Pakistan's announcement to fit Royal Ordnance 105mm L7 Main Guns to their Type 69 fleet in December 1985 as well as China's assistance in developing the Type-85 based MBT-2000 (named Al-Khalid) at the end of the 80's.

Meanwhile, Arjun development costs continued to rise, from October 1980 Rs. 56.55 crores to Rs 280 crores in May, 1987. The DRDO conducted the first technical trials in 1988. According to Indian Defence Minister Sharad Pawar, as of October 1991, there were 12 prototypes Arjun MBT's 'in an advanced stage of development'. General B.C. Joshi, the former Army Chief (now deceased), foresaw two Armoured Regiments of 45 Arjuns apiece, but insisted that 10 imperatives be met in 1994 before the Army could accept the tank.

In 1993 the first six prototype tanks were handed over to the 43rd Cavalry Regiment for troop trials at Rajasthan's Mahajan range. Accuracy trials from mid-1994 indicated an erratic first hit ratio that ranged from 20-80%, though this wassupposedly reduced to 90% during subsequent troubleshooting. At that point, the first production, Arjuns were projected to be in service by 1995.


Two Arjun Mk.1s, from the 2nd Independent Armoured Brigade, at the 2001 Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. Notice the unusual three-tone camouflage.

Years of fire-power and tactical tests on the firing ranges in desert and semi-arid conditions followed, until the Indian Army considered the results 'excellent'. The Pakistani deal with the Ukraine to purchase T-80UD/T-84's announced in the fall of 1995 caused another flurry of activity in the Indian military community.

At that point, the Arjun had just failed field trials in June. More were set for August and November but observers figured that the US $ 100 million programme has progressed too far to be easily terminated.

On 9 January 1996 the Arjun was formally unveiled and cleared for mass production in a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. According to Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the Indians consider the Arjun comparable to the M1A2 Abrams, Leopard 2 and Leclerc.

However, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Shankar Roy chowdhury pointed out that, whilesome of the tank's parameters needed to be 'further finetuned', they have enough confidence to plan Arjun variants; mobile assault guns ('self-propelled platforms' or self-propelled artillery), Observation Post Vehicle and Air Defence (Gun or Missile), recovery, engineer and bridgelayers. New bridgelayers and recovery vehicles would be necessary, given the Arjun's substantial weight increase over the T-72M1 series. Most of India's roads are in the 40 ton military classification range, save for national highways' 70 ton range.


The Arjun MBT at HVF Avadi in Madras on 07 August 2004, during its induction ceremony into the Indian Army

The 59-ton (58.5 tons) 15th Variant can achieve a maximum speed of 70 kph (55 mph) and cross-country of 40 kph with it's 1400 HP powerplant. The Arjun's hydropneumatic suspension can be hardened or softened, according to the terrain and the 1610 litre fuel tank allows for a cruising range of 200 km (120 miles).

The 15 Pre-Production Series (PPS) tanks were supposed to be supplied to three armoured regiments for testing in 1996, but it wasn't until 27 August that theDefence Production and Supplies Secretary ordered them from the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi (at which point, one Indian media estimate placed the project cost at US $ 112 million or 400 million Rupees).

However, the Indian Defence Ministry's publicised cost for these 15 tanks was US $ 38.2 million (RI.62 billion).

[SAMWolf]

At least one Arjun fielded by the 43rd Armoured Regiment participated in the 48th Republic Day parade on 27 January 1997. Delivery of the prototype lot was completed in April, field trials were again declared completed and series productionwas to start in early June '97.

However, the list of faults after twenty years of development was not encouraging. In addition to unspecified but numerous technical modifications to its fire and gun control systems (the Commanders Periscopic Sight, the Laser Warning Sight and the Muzzle Reference Sight have been found 'unreliable'), the fire control system in particular has been found unable to perform in temperatures above 42 degrees Celsius. The DRDO has been contemplating scraping the current Arjun FCS in favour of whatever is accepted for the T-72M1 upgrade programme.


A soldier guides India’s indigenously developed main battle tank (MBT), the Arjun, as it’s rolled out during an induction ceremony in Chennai on

Since the Arjun extends 6cm beyond the official 3cm limit on either side of a standard Indian flatbed railcar, strategic transport would be extremely difficult. This would also require that India refurbish large sections of her rail network, as well as acquiring new rolling stock (This is nothing new, as the Germans had this problem with the ÔTiger' Mk VI in World War II). It's width and weight, Indian Rail to charge the Army over-dimensional consignment (ODC) costs, which are 150% over normal costs. The Indian Ministry of Defence allocated US$ 3.9 million (R165 million) to develop three Arjun-capable flatbed rail cars wagon by January 1999.

The German MTU MB 838 Ka-SOl 1 ,4OO hp diesel engine and transmission derated at high temperatures, with an estimated 20-25% powerloss from engine to drive sprocket while operating in desert temperatures of 45-500 Celsius. Ammunitionstowage had to be reduced in order to increase engine cooling and the 15th PPS can not fire over the engine deck at 00 elevation because of the bulky cooling pack. This powerpack choice also resulted in bulges in the hull side walls.

The problems with the hydropneumatic suspension can possibly be linked to the Arjun's difficulty in climbing sand dunes and other obstacles easily, with a sharp drop in speed in its attempt to do so. Furthermore, the inert gases needed would be another item added to the supply trains. As of mid-year, the 15th Arjun Mk I was to be the basis for the production model4. The defects noticed during the user trials of Mk.1 , including overheating of the engine in Rajasthan desert areas, had been 'by and large overcome' and certain other complaints were being addressed. CVRDE has mostly rectified the other problems in the hydro-pneumatic suspension.



Another problem in the Arjun's development was that more than half the components (FCS, engine, transmission unit, tracks, thermal sight, night sight) are imported, with the design components 1970's and 80's vintage.

Furthermore, the technology transfer agreements for the imported engine, gun control system, fire-control system had most vendors (like MTU and Holland's Oldelft, which makes the LRS 5 Fire Control System) producing components in India in a phased manner.

The production of 100 Arjun Mk.1 MBTs was expected to start by late 1997 (during the Ninth Defence Plan) at an estimated cost of US$ 2.8 million [Rs. 10 crores] each. The Army, however, feels that the 100-tank lot might take more than five years, given the capacity at the Avadi Heavy Vehicles Factory near Chennai and its commitments to various sectors of the armed forces. The first production tank waspromised by 1985.

A later claim by DRDO stated that it needed up to (Rs 1,800 crores) to produce 120 tanks over the next five years, with each one costing US $ 4.2 million [Rs 15 crores](about a 2,000 % increase in project cost since 1974).


Main Battle Tanks, Arjun, roll out of the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi

Another cost estimate figured that the Arjun will be over Rs 26 billion by 2001 for two or three regiments (124 tanks), totaling around US $5.6 million (Rs 200 million) per tank. This escalating estimate does not include the cost of ammunition, spares and engineering support for the Arjun's induction into service, which is estimated atover (Rs 5 billion).

One reported Government-sanctioned figure for Arjun development and T-72M1upgrade (with most going to the Arjun) is US $1.12 Billion (Rs 40 billion) spread outover the next three to five years.

Despite promises made by the Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram, that lack of funds would not come in the way of India's defence needs, some officials were skeptical over deadlines being maintained by the production and subcontractors which might result not only in cost escalation but also affect defence preparedness.Detractors think that (baring drastic changes) the country's progressively shrinking defence budget, coupled with the persistent technical problems, would delay any serious Arjun serial production until 2002/2004.

In early August, 1997 General Shankar Roy Chowdhury, Army chief of staff, promised officers and soldiers of the 13th Armoured Regiment that the Arjun would enter production soon. Less than two months later, DRDO was shaken by the desertion of scores of military scientists and engineers lured to the more lucrative private sector, jeopardizing the success of the Arjun project.



As of 18 September, the Indian Parliament approved a $6.9 Billion (250 billion Rupee) Five-Year Defence Budget. In this 1997-2002 budget, some 40 Billion Rupees has been allocated for the Ajeya rebuild programme, and another 1 Billion Rupees for the first 100 Arjuns.

Yet BG D. R. Gole went on record in October saying that the Arjun's Fire ControlSystem has a 20-80% First Shot hit ratio. The DRDO blamed this on the test crew from the 43rd Cavalry, whom they accused of having a mindset leftover from the T-72M1's (which cannot fire on the move). Before official acceptance, the Army wants the tank lightened, fitted with an internal APU and reactive armour.

In mid-November, DRDO chief A.P.J. Abdul Kalam told a closed-door meeting of his ministry's Parliamentary Consultative Committee that the Arjun had been tested for 20,000 km and cleared for 'limited series production'.

Before a crowd at the National Defence Academy in early December, the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ved Prakash Malik denied that Arjun's induction into the army wasbeing delayed and added that some unspecified tests and improvements had to becarried out before the army could accept them.



By early May, 1998, the US decision to impose sanctions on India could possibly have jeopardized the Arjun's further development, since some US companies were supplying elements of the main gun-sighting and fire-control systems for the Arjun tank. There was also speculation as to whether Germany would stop supplying MTU engines. Arjun Executive Board (AEB) narrowed their choices for an FCS to Thomson CSF and Elbit of Israel (which could also be used in the T-72M1 ÔRhino'). The imported components used in the Arjun rose from 27% in the 1987 to 60% in PPS. (Pre-Producion Series) enhancing the costs substantially.

The Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the Summer 1997 trials, released in mid-1998, noted six premature transmission failures and frequent overheating of the transmission fluid, probably because the imported transmission assembly had beenoverloaded.

Teething Problems

Even after crores had been spent on the project the future of Arjun looked very bleak since Army was not ready to accept Arjun until most of the problems had beensorted out. Pakistan acquired 315 T-80U from Ukraine and this was a cause of concern for Army, which needed a similar if not better MBT to counter T-80U. They turned to T-90S from Russia, which was considered superior to T-80U. Field trials of T-90S began in 1999. At $ 3 million apiece, it was worth it. To many it looked like the last nail in Arjun’s coffin. Arjun’s list of problems read something like this:

• Old & inefficient MTU engine which heated up frequently making Arjun unsuitable for deployment in Rajasthan.
• To counter overheating, a cooling pack was installed which reduced the ammo capacity & affected gun depression.
• Failure to develop an indigenous 1500 hp engine.
• Problems with the FCS.
• Poor operational mobility to due to its excessive weight and width.
• Problems with the commander's periscope sight, laser warning sight and muzzle reference sight.
• Transporting Arjun was a problem, as the 58-tonne tank protrudes 6cm beyond the permissible 3cm limit on either side of tank transporters used for India's current MBT, the T-72M1.

Back From the Dead

If Arjun resembles something most from mythology, it is the bird which rises from its own ashes – the Phoenix. DRDO was raring to go ahead and eliminate all the flaws that Arjun had and give a potent fighting machine to the Indian Army. They started solving all the problems one at a time.

• DRDO fixed the problems with mobility & engine heating.
• DRDO teamed up with Israeli companies to develop a digital FCS. This FCS was extensively tested by Indian Army & duly accepted.
• Development of new & better optics by BEL.
• The MoD has allocated $3.9 million to build three transporter types to move Arjun. In addition to this Arjun achieved many goals. Some of them are listed below.
• Chromium lined barrel increases the barrel life & also the muzzle velocity of the shell.
• Arjun’s armor was tested in combat like conditions and fared very well. It also withstood direct fire of APFSDS, HEAT, HESH & various RPG roundsas per the latest trials on September 2003.
• LAHAT ATGM has been test fired from Arjun. This trials were successful.
• Never before seen crew protection levels in tanks used by Indian Army. Crew protection is paramount and slight changes have been made here. The ammo storage is in the turret bustle but is modulated and separated from the crew by armor, so that if hit by RPG or top-attack ATGM, crew remains safe.
• Integrated GPS & BMS (Battlefield Management System). These systems have touch screen for rapid access.
• A new Active Area Defense System (AADS) from Elbit.
• Estimated cost of $ 4 million per piece.

Additional Sources:

www.bharat-rakshak.com
www.drdo.com
www.tribuneindia.com
www.hindu.com

[SAMWolf]

Future

The future of Arjun looks very bright. DRDO is more confident now. Spin-offs from Arjun project have been many. Army has extensively tested a howitzer mounted on Arjun chasis named ‘Bhim’ . Another is Arjun turret mounted atop T-72 chasis. It is named Tank-Ex by DRDO (some people also call it Karna).

So now Arjun has really turned into a mighty warrior and is a fitting reply to allthose who have criticized DRDO for nothing but “a bunch of jokers”.

Note: News from US NEWS July 18, 2005

The Arjun MBT failed again during the off road and firing test. The India land army reported the bad news to the government. They found that the firing control system had serious malfunctions during the normal firing test. And the flexibility is worse than T-90. The department of defense of India said that the Arjun is a useless tank. One retired general said that more than 60% of Arjun's parts depend on imports. And before 2008, over 1500 active tanks will retire. The officer said that the Arjun will be a training tank only, not used in war, since it is too heavy to handle. (Arjun is 60 Tons, T-90 is 46.5 Tons) T-90 tanks will swiftly" kill" the Arjun, the main battle tank developed locally for 25 years.

[SAMWolf]

Showcasing America's finest, and those who betray them!

Please click on the banner above and check out this newly created (and still under construction) website created by FReeper Coop!

---

Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

---

Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

---

We here at Blue Stars For A Safe Return are working hard to honor all of our military, past and present, and their families. Inlcuding the veterans, and POW/MIA's. I feel that not enough is done to recognize the past efforts of the veterans, and remember those who have never been found.

I realized that our Veterans have no "official" seal, so we created one as part of that recognition. To see what it looks like and the Star that we have dedicated to you, the Veteran, please check out our site.

Veterans Wall of Honor

Blue Stars for a Safe Return

---

UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul

Click on Hagar for
"The FReeper Foxhole Compiled List of Daily Threads"

---

LINK TO FOXHOLE THREADS INDEXED by PAR35

[snippy_about_it]

"FALL IN" to the FReeper Foxhole!



It's TreadHead Tuesday!


Good Morning Everyone

If you would like added to our ping list let us know.

[snippy_about_it]

Free Republic Treadhead Ping





Freedom Poster;Delta 21;mostly cajun ;archy; Gringo1; Matthew James; Fred Mertz; Squantos; colorado tanker; The Shrew; SLB; Darksheare; BCR #226; IDontLikeToPayTaxes; Imacatfish; Tailback; DCBryan1; Eaker; Archangelsk; gatorbait; river rat; Lee'sGhost; Dionysius; BlueLancer; Frohickey; GregB; leadpenny; skepsel; Proud Legions; King Prout; Professional Engineer; alfa6; bluelancer; Cannoneer No.4; An Old Man; hookman; DMZFrank; in the Arena; Bethbg79; neverdem; NWU Army ROTC; ma bell; MoJo2001; The Sailor; dcwusmc; dts32041; spectr17; Rockpile; Theophilus;humblegunner


************Snippy, I bequeath to you the FR TH PL.

148 posted on 08/24/2004 11:39:45 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

Good morning, ON THE WAY!!!!. :-)

[Darksheare]

Looks a bit like the Iranian Zhulfiqar.

[PAR35]

I didn't spot it in the writeups here, but I recall reading that the Arjun program has been flushed.

[PAR35]

Here is the thread I was thinking of. It doesn't appear to be particularly well sourced, after all.

After 30 years in development, new Indian tank "unusable"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1445407/posts

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[alfa6]

A Treadhead Tuesday Bump for the Freeper Foxhole AND a fill in Flag-O-Gram, as the P.E. is on travel today.

Off to work I must go, a good day to all

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Iris7]

Russian M46 130mm gun

Famous gun, range 27,500 yards, they say. Unfortunately seriously outranged South Viet Namese batteries in 1975.

A Navy gun originally, still in use by the Navy but not the Army.

A Navy projectile:

Velocity, 970 meters/second (3,200 feet per second, projectile is 73.5 pounds in weight, destroy any tank at five or ten miles)
Weight, kg:
round 52.8 (116 pounds! A real lunker!!)
projectile 33.4
explosive 3.56
Length of round, mm 1,369 (4'7" long)

Read somewhere that the Indians tried to fit a tank to one of these. Weapon on gun mount is 38.5 feet long, 9.4 US tons. Big.

The idea must have come from the same DRDO that tried to design this aborted Arjun tank.

[Iris7]

Dang, meant with a proper projectile and propellant it could "destroy any tank at five or ten miles". Even a WWII APC round would be unstoppable at a mile, about, or a 1947 APDS at several miles.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole.

[Soaring Feather]

Morning everyone. Another ThreadHead Tuesday!

[GailA]

Good morning it's Tuesday and my quilting day.

[The Mayor]

August 9, 2005

Count It All Joy

Read:
James 1:2-12

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life. —James 1:12

Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 13-16

A pastor placed this sign on his door: "If you have problems, come in and tell me all about them. If you don't have any problems, come in and tell me how you avoid them."

What do we do when problems come unannounced and with great intensity? James told us to "count it all joy," because trials do not happen without a reason. He said, "The testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete" (James 1:3-4). Armed with this understanding, our prayer changes from asking God "why" to thanking Him for what He is doing.

Having endured many trials and facing a new struggle with cancer, Our Daily Bread author Joanie Yoder shared her thoughts in a letter: "I have relinquished my destiny to God's will. Nothing, praise God, not even cancer, can thwart His will. I may have cancer, but cancer doesn't have me—God alone has me. So in this light, I would value your prayers that Christ may be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death."

Trials are unavoidable and unpredictable, and they come in an unimaginable variety. Knowing that our sovereign God will walk with us and use trials to deepen our maturity, we can count them "all joy." —Albert Lee

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whatever befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well. —Crosby

We can endure trials in this life because of the joys in the life to come.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
Surviving The Storms Of Stress

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Mayor!

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on August 09:
1593 Izaak Walton England, biographer/fisherman/writer (Compleat Angler)
1686 Benedetto Marcello Venice Italy, composer (Lettera Famigliare)
1776 Amedeo Avogadro Tuin Italy, 6.022 x 10 ^ 23 (Avogadro's Law)
1819 William Thomas Green Morton dentist, used ether (HOF 1920)
1823 Daniel Marsh Frost Brig General (Confederate Army), died in 1900
1824 Simon Goodell Griffin Bvt Major General (Union volunteers)
1825 Elisha Ferry (Gov-R-Wash, 1872-80, 1889-93)
1883 George Hoyt NBA hall of fame referee (elected 1961)
1888 Hans Oster German major general/spy/July 20th plotter
1896 Jean Piaget Switz, pioneer developmental psychologist/zoologist
1896 Leonide Massine choreographer (Diaghilev Ballet Russe 1914-20)
1897 Ralph Wyckoff American pioneer in x-ray crystallography
1901 Charles Farrell Cape Cod Mass, actor (Vern-My Little Margie)
1909 John Baur museum director/author (American Paintings in 19th Century)
1911 Robert McCormick Danville Ky, NBC newscaster (Current Opinion)
1911 William A Fowler US, astrophysicist (Nobel 1983)
1913 Harry Mills singer (Mills Brothers-Paper Doll)
1913 Herman Talmadge (Sen-D-Ga, Watergate Committee)
1919 Ralph Houk baseball manager (Yankees, Tigers)
1927 Marvin Minsky Artifical intelligence computer scientist (MIT)
1927 Robert Shaw England, actor (Deep, Jaws, Sting, Black Sunday)
1928 Bob Cousy NBA star, Boston Celtics (1957 MVP)
1930 Betty Boop animation
1938 Rod Laver Australia, tennis ace (1962, 1969 Grand Slam)
1940 Beverlee McKinsey Okla, actress (Another World, Guiding Light)
1944 Sam Elliot Calif, actor (Big Chill, The Sacketts, Mask, Gettysburg, Tombstone, We Were Soldiers)
1945 Ken Norton Heavyweight Boxing Champ/TV panelist (Gong Show)
1955 Doug Williams Louisana, NFL QB (Tampa Bay Bucaneers, Wash Redskins)
1957 Melanie Griffith NYC, actress (Something Wild, Working Girl)
1958 Amanda Bearse actress (Marcy Rhoodes/Darcy-Married With Children)
1959 Kurtis Blow NYC, rapper (Krushgroove-The Breaks)
1963 Whitney Houston Newark NJ, singer (One Moment in Time)
1966 Pat Petersen LA Calif, actor (Michael-Knots Landing)
1971 Mary Joe Fernandez Dom Rep, tennis player (US National 16s)
1972 Elizabeth Vassey Raleigh NC, actress (Emily Martin-All My Children)

---

Deaths which occurred on August 09:
0117 Mark Ulpius Trajanus emperor of Rome (98-117)
0378 Flavius Valens emperor of Byzantium (364-78), dies in battle at 50 (Battle of Adrianople)
1048 Damasius II, Pope (1047-48), dies
1854 Frederik Augustus II king of Saxon (1836-54), dies at 57
1862 Joseph Bennett Plummer US Union-brig-gen, dies at 42
1896 Otto Lilenthal killed during a glider test
1942 Edith Stein German philosopher Jewish Carmelite nun, killed by nazis at Auschwitz
1961 Walter Bedell Smith US general/WW II chief of staff, dies
1962 Hermann Hesse German/Swiss poet/author, dies
1969 George P Marshall president of Washington Redskins, dies at 72
1972 Julian "Cannonball" Adderly saxophonist/bandleader, dies at 46
1975 Dimitri D. Shostakovitch (b.1906) Soviet composer of 15 symphonies, died
1979 Allan Frank actor (Charade Quiz), dies at 64
1988 Alan Napier (Alfred the Butler on Batman), dies at 85
1995 Jerry Garcia rock vocalist (Grateful Dead), dies at 53

---

Take A Moment To Remember
GWOT Casualties

Iraq
09-Aug-2003 2 | US: 2 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Specialist Levi B. Kinchen Baghdad Non-hostile - illness - died in sleep
US Sergeant Floyd G. Knighten Jr. Ad Diwaniyah (north of) - Qadisiyah Non-hostile - illness - heat related

09-Aug-2004 2 | US: 1 | UK: 1 | Other: 0
UK Private Lee Martin O'Callaghan Basra - Basrah Hostile - hostile fire
US Captain Andrew R. Houghton Walter Reed Medical Ctr. Hostile - hostile fire - RPG attack


Afghanistan
A GOOD DAY


http://icasualties.org/oif/
Data research by Pat Kneisler
Designed and maintained by Michael White
//////////
Go here and I'll stop nagging.
http://www.taps.org/
(subtle hint SEND MONEY)

---

On this day...
480BC Persia defeats Spartan king Leonidas at Thermopylae

0048BC Julius Caesar defeated Gnaius Pompey at Pharsalus

0378 Battle of Adrianople, Visigoth defeat Roman Army


1483 Pope Sixtus IV celebrated the first mass in the Sistine Chapel
1638 Jonas Bronck of Holland becomes 1st European settler in the Bronx
1673 Dutch recapture NY from English; regained by English in 1674
1778 Capt Cook passes through Bering Strait
1786 1st ascent of Mt Blanc
1790 Columbia becomes 1st US flagged ship to voyage around the world
1803 1st horses arrive in Hawaii
1829 "Stourbridge Lion" locomotive goes into service
1831 1st US steam engine train run (Albany to Schenectady, NY)
1842 US-Canada border defined by Webster-Ashburton Treaty
1848 Barnburners (anti-slavery) party merges with the Free Soil Party nominating Martin Van Buren for president
1854 Henry David Thoreau publishes "Walden"
1862 Prelude to 2nd Manassas, Jackson is victorious at Battle of Cedar Mt
1864 Battle of Ft Morgan AL
1893 1st US bowling magazine, Gut Holz, published in NY
1902 Edward VII of England crowned after death of his mother Victoria
1925 Only time Babe Ruth pinch-hit for, Bobby Veach flies out
1930 Betty Boop debutes in Max Fleischer's animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes
1936 Jesse Owens wins 4th gold medal of Berlin Olympics
1942 British arrests Indian nationalist Mohandas K Gandhi

1945 US drops 2nd atomic bomb "Fat Man" on Japan destroys part of Nagasaki

1946 1st time all major-league baseball games (8) are played at night
1956 1st state-wide, state-supported educational TV network, Alabama
1956 South African women demonstrate against pass laws
1961 James B Parsons is 1st black appointed to Federal District Court
1963 Britains rock TV show, Ready Steady Go, premiers
1964 Jim Bunning continues pitching perfectly to the NY Mets until 2 outs in 5th, when Joe Christopher beats out a bunt. He totals 15 innings
1965 Singapore gains independence from Malaysia (National Day)
1971 Le Roy (Satchel) Paige inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame
1972 Rockwell receives NASA contract to construct the Space Shuttle
1973 USSR launches Mars 7
1975 1st NFL game in Louisiana Superdome, Houston beats Saints 13-7
1976 Pitt Pirate John Candelaria no-hits LA Dodgers, 2-0
1976 USSR launches Luna 24, last Lunar flight to date from Earth
1977 NHL refuses merger of 6 WHA clubs
1978 Yanks score 5 in bottom of 9th beat Brewers 8-7
1981 6 English lifeguards set relay swim record the English Channel (7:17)
1984 Daley Thomas of Britain sets the decathalon record (8,847) in LA Cal
1988 Cubs beat Mets 6-4 in their 1st official night game at Wrigley Field
1988 Edmonton Oilers trade Wayne Gretzky to LA Kings for $15-$20 millions
1988 Just 1 day after 8/8/88 NY's daily number is 888
1990 12 Arab leaders agree to send pan-Arab forces to protect Saudi Arabia
1992 25th Olympic Summer games close in Barcelona, Spain
1995 Netscape Communications goes public, valued at $2.2 billion
1999 Pres. Clinton presents former Pres. Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter the Medal of Freedom, the highest US civilian award (WHY?)
2002 Oscar-winning actor and National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston, 78, reveals that he has Alzheimer's disease.
2002 Three Pakistani nurses are killed when terrorists lob two grenades at a crowd of women leaving a missionary hospital chapel, the second assault on a Christian target in Pakistan in less than a week
2004 Terry Nichols sentenced to 161 consecutive life sentences for the 1995 Oklahoma City federal building bombing

---

Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Japan : Nagasaki Memorial Day (1945)
Libya : Sanusi Army Day
Rhode Island : Victory Day
Singapore : National Day (1965)
Italy : Palio Del Golfo (2nd Sunday) - - - - - ( Sunday )
Zambia : Youth Day - - - - - ( Monday )

---

Religious Observances
Christian Commemoration of St Denys
RC Jean-Bapt M Vianney, pastor of Ars
RC Oswald, King of Northumbria
RC Romanus, martyr to Rome
RC Serenus, bishop of Marseille/patron saint of Biandrate
RC St Bavo, patron saint of Gent/Haarlem

---

Religious History
1765 English founder of Methodism John Wesley wrote in a letter: 'You have but one Pattern; follow Him inwardly and outwardly. If other believers will go step for step with you, well; but if not, follow Him!'
1788 Birth of Adoniram Judson, American Baptist missionary. He first sailed to Burma in 1812, and spent nearly all of his remaining 38 years in missionary and literacy work there. Judson translated the entire Bible into Burmese by 1834.
1884 Birth of Kenneth Scott Latourette, Baptist church historian. Teaching at Yale from 1921-53, his greatest writings were his 7-volume History of the Expansion of Christianity (1937-45) and 5-volume Christianity in a Revolutionary Age (1958-62). Latourette died a bachelor.
1942 English Bible expositor Arthur W. Pink wrote in a letter: 'Waiting on the Lord (Isa. 40:31, etc.) describes an attitude of soul when we are engaged in true prayer, but waiting for the Lord is the exercise of patience while His answer tarries.'
1960 The Church of the Lutheran Confession adopted its constitution at a convention held at Watertown, South Dakota. The denomination was formally organized the following January (1961) at Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.
Additional information supplied by the author. Contact via E-mail: William D. Blake. (pilgrimwb@aol.com)

---

Woman Eats 35 Bratwursts In 10 Minutes


SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- Sonya Thomas, at 99 pounds, gobbled her way to another speed-eating title over the weekend by attacking a Wisconsin staple - the bratwurst.

The woman known as The Black Widow on the competitive-eating circuit downed 35 brats in 10 minutes to win the first Johnsonville Brat-Eating World Championship. She edged out her nearest competitor by half a brat to win.

"I don't know where she puts it," spectator Sue Van De Kreeke said. "I got sick watching her."

The previous bratwurst-eating record was 19 1/2 brats in 10 minutes.

Thomas, a Burger King manager from Alexandria, Va., is ranked second by the International Federation of Competitive Eating, which sanctioned Saturday's contest during Brat Days. Her various eating records include ones for hard-boiled eggs (65 in 6 minutes 40 seconds) and chicken wings (167 in 32 minutes).

The day before the bratwurst-eating contest, she won a grilled-cheese-sandwich eating contest in San Diego, eating 22.

---

Thought for the day :
"Oh, the gallant fisher’s life!
It is the best of any;
’T is full of pleasure, void of strife,
And ’t is beloved by many."
Izaak Walton

[w_over_w]

MORNING GLORY FOLKS!
(Happy Treadhead Tuesday!)