The Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an order with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 main battle tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on 23 September 2021.
The order, worth Rs 7,523 crore, will provide further boost to the Make in India initiative in the defence sector and is a step towards achieving Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had handed over MBT Arjun Mk-1A to Chief of Army Staff General M MNaravane in Chennai on 14 February 2021.
The state-of-the-art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability. Infused with 72 new features and more indigenous content from the Mk-1 variant, the tank will ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, besides precise target engagement during day and night.
It has been designed and developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) by incorporating numerous upgrades on Arjun MBT, the in-service main battle tank with the Indian Army.
MK-1A is equipped with accurate and superior firepower, all-terrain mobility and a multi-layered protection provided by an array of advanced technology systems. It can take on the enemy during day and night conditions and in both static and dynamic modes.
This production order to HVF Avadi opens up a large avenue in defence manufacturing for over 200 Indian vendors including MSMEs, with employment opportunities to around 8,000 people. This will be a flagship project showcasing the indigenous capability in cutting-edge defence technologies.
MBT Arjun Mk-1A has been designed and developed by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), along with other laboratories of DRDO within two years (2010-12).
The development activities commenced from June 2010 and the tank was fielded for user trials in June 2012. Extensive trial evaluation was conducted in various phases covering over 7,000 km (both in DRDO and user trials) of automotive and substantial firing of various ammunitions during 2012-2015.