The government placed an order for 118 new Arjun Mk-1A battle tanks, which have superior firepower, all-terrain mobility and multi-layered protection compared to older models. Arjun has been the chief battle tank for the Army for the last 15 years.
The new tanks, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, will be manufactured at the government’s Heavy Vehicles Factory in Chennai. The order is worth Rs 7,523 crore.
The government said in a statement that the new variant of the Main Battle Tank (MBT) has 72 new features and more indigenous features compared to the Mk-1.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had handed over the MBT Arjun Mk-1A to Army Chief General MM Naravane in Chennai on February 14.
Furthermore, the government said that the production of these tanks would pave the way for the defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian vendors with employment opportunities to around 8,000 people. This will be a flagship project showcasing the indigenous capability in cutting edge defence technologies, the statement said.
Furthermore, the government said that the production of these tanks will pave the way for defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian vendors with employment opportunities to around 8,000 people. This will be a flagship project showcasing the indigenous capability in cutting edge defence technologies, the statement said.