DNA Explainer: What's unique about Arjun Mk-1A which makes it one of world's most advanced tanks

The Defence Acquisition Committee of the Defence Ministry on Tuesday (February 23) granted an 'Acceptance of Necessity', paving the way for the Army to acquire 118 Arjun Mk-1A tanks. This comes as a big boost for the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' Mission. The Defence Ministry has cleared Rs 6,000 crore proposal to procure these Arjun Mk-1A Main Battle Tanks.

What are Mk-1A tanks?
The Arjun Mk-1A is an upgraded version of the Arjun Mk-1 currently in the army service. The new tank comes with 71 upgrades over the existing variant including 14 major improvements. This upgraded version of Mk-1 is known to be is more lethal, mobile, and durable on the battlefield.

Improvements and upgradation in Mk- 1A
The improvements in the new tank (Mk-1A) include better firepower, auto-target tracker, remote-controlled weapon system, advanced laser warning, explosive reactive armour, and countermeasure systems, containerised ammunition bin, advanced navigation systems, and improved night vision capabilities.

The tank has an enhanced hunter-killer capability. The commander controlling the tank will have a panoramic vision that enables day-and-night surveillance with 360-degree coverage. This enables the commander to detect targets and engage them personally or handover the target to the gunner to prosecute.

Firepower of Mk-1 A
1. Accurate and fast target acquisition capability during day and night and in all types of weather.
2. Shortest possible reaction time during combat engagements.
3. Ability to accurately engage targets on move.
4. Capability to destroy all possible enemy armour at maximum battle ranges
5. Excellent first-hit probability
6. High-performance engine

Protection 
1. Mk-1 A will be fabricated turret housing lightweight compact KANCHAN armour.
2. Careful dimensioning of the wall through optimal slopes and angles.
3. A low silhouette
4. Crew Comfort

According to the experts, it is believed that the new tanks and AFV upgrade would accelerate the fighting potential of the army. This upgraded version of Mk-1 will be lethal, mobile, and strong on the battlefield.

“It’s a big leap forward and has been pending for a long time. It will improve the strike capability of the army’s armoured formations. I also see it as a very potent step in the direction of achieving self-reliance in the defence sector,” said former Northern Army commander Lieutenant General BS Jaswal (retd).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had handed over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (Mk-1A) to the Indian Army in Chennai on February 14.