Les capacités de tirer des missiles par le char de combat indien Arjun seront testés en juin.

Citation :

e.A.R- Mardi, 18 Janvier 2011, 16:04 - La nouvelle version modernisée du char de combat Indien Arjun sera prête pour une série de tests en juin de cette année, qui devrait aboutir à la mise en service de l’Arjun Mk-II au sein des forces armées indiennes, avec des capacités de tirer des missiles et équipé d’un nouveau télémètre laser.

Le Char Arjun Mk II sera équipé avec un nouveau blindage réactif de dernière technologie, permettant une protection contre les tirs ennemis de missiles et de roquettes.

Il sera également équipé d’un système complet de détection laser avec des capacités anti-missiles, une amélioration importante par rapport à la version précédente. Avec une portée de 8 km, le char Arjun sera équipé d’un système de détection laser qui l’aidera à pointer les menaces ennemies terrestres et les cibles aériennes volant à basse altitude.

Les deux phases de projet pour développer la nouvelle version de l’Arjun Mk-II ont été clarifiées l’année passée, avec une phase d’essais qui sera réalisée par l’armée après une série de tests techniques. Dans la phase 2 du développement, le char sera livré à l’armée pour une série de tests prévus pour fin 2012.

Aujourd’hui l’armée indienne dispose de deux régiments de chars équipés de la version Mk-I de l’Arjun. Une commande de 124 chars supplémentaires devraient se faire dans les prochains mois, mais pour la version Mk-II de l’Arjun. Au début du développement de l’Arjun dans les années 70, le char local était rentré en compétition avec le char T-90 de fabrication russe, aui avait largement montré sa supériorité.

The Indian-made main battle tank Arjun Mk II will perform a week iring tests in May 2012.

Update May 7, 2012

Citation :

On May 10, 2012, the improved Arjun Mk.2 Indian-made main battle tank prototype is all set to roll into the Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan for a week of firing trials. Formal user trials with the Indian Army are scheduled to commence on June 1, 2012.

Much rides on the results of these trials, and expectations are high. At the very least, an indent -- or conditional intention to buy memorandum -- for 124 Mk.2 tanks depends on the tank performing on expected lines during these (and potentially, future rounds of) trials.

http://www.armyrecognition.com/may_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry_uk/the_indian-made_main_battle_tank_arjun_mk_ii_will_perform_a_week_firing_tests_in_may_2012_0705121.html

General information

The Arjun is a main battle tank developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), for the Indian Army. ArjunMBT, designed to IndianArmy's moststringent specifications, represents the translation of advanced designinto areliable and effectiveweapon system to meet the varied threats of the modern warfare. It offers the troops a state-of-the-art tank with superiorfirepower,high mobility,andexcellent protection byadopting mostadvanced technologies. Armyhas placed anindent for production of 124Arjun MBT MkIto Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, Chennai. Morethan 100Arjun MBTs have beendelivered to the Army.lndentfor productionof124Arjun MBTs Mk11 islikelyto beplaced shortly. The Indian Army ordered 124 Arjuns in 2000, expected to cost US$471.2 million. The first 45 tanks were delivered to the army between August 2004 and May 2009. More than 100 tanks have been delivered to the Indian Army by June 2011. After extensive field evaluations and tests, the tank entered service with the 75th Armoured Regiment on 12 May 2011.

Variants :

Arjun Mk-II: major upgrades would be missile-firing capability against long-range targets, panoramic sight with night vision to engage targets effectively at night, containerisation of the ammunition, enhanced main weapon penetration; additional ammunition types, explosive reactive armour, an advanced air-defence gun to engage helicopters; a mine plough, an advanced land navigation system and a warning system which can fire smoke grenades to confuse laser guidance. Other upgrades are an enhanced Auxiliary power unit providing 8.5 KW (from 4.5 KW) and an improved gun barrel.

Technical data

Armament

Main armament is a The120mmcalibre rifled gun together with the newly developed super FSAPDS ammunition,can defeat any contemporary armour used in tanks. The electro slag-refined gun steel tube is auto-frettaged to withstand higher gas pressures. A thermal jacketprevents irregular temperature distribution onthe tube due to weather influences. Aco-axial 7.62 mm machine gun for anti-personnel targetsand a 12.7 mm machine gun for anti-aircraftas well as ground targets have been providedas secondaryweapons. The superior armour-defeating capability of the indigenously developed Fin-stabilized Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) ammunition and 120 mm calibre rifled gun give Arjun MBT an edge over contemporary world-class tanks. A computer-controlled integrated Fire Control System (FCS) with day-cum-night stabilised sighting system guarantees avery high First-round-hit Probability (FRHP) and reduced reaction time to bring effectivefire on targets. Mounted either side of the turret is a bank of nine forward-firing smoke grenade dischargers, the upper layer having five tubes and the lower layer four.

Protection

Arjun has an all-round protection from antitank ammunition achieved by the newly developed Kanchan armour to a degree much higher than available in the present generation tanks.

Propulsion

Low ground pressure, high power-to-weight ratio, and adoption of new design concepts in engine, transmission, suspension and running gear make MBT Arjun a highly mobile and agile weapon platform. The remarkable mobility characteristics of Arjun, which also add to its protection,arethe resultof:

- Highperformance diesel engine.
- Robust and effectiveautomatictransmission system.
- Highflexiblehydro-pneumaticsuspension.
- Optimised running gear with high shockenergyabsorptioncapability.

The engine and transmission are provided by German companies MTU and Renk respectively.The water-cooled engine generates 1,400 hp and is integrated with an Indian turbocharger and epicyclic train gearbox with four forward and 2 reverse gears A local transmission is under trials and it is envisioned to ultimately replace the Renk-supplied unit The tracks which were being supplied by German company Diehl are now being manufactured by L&T. The cooling pack has been designed for desert operations. The Arjun has a lower ground pressure than the lighter T-72, due to its design. Suspension is of the hydropneumatic type. The aluminium alloy rubberised track blocks have rubber-bushed pins, the track tensioners have a built-in overload protection.

Accessories

Ergonometry, using anthropometric data of Indian troops, has been given due importance while designing the fighting and driving compartments to fully exploit the outstanding features of the weapon system. Hydropneumatic suspension provides excellent ride comfort to crew eliminating fatigue on extended runs. Arjun hasexcellent fording capabilities. It can ford 1.4m without preparation and wade through a depth of up to 2.15 m. The Arjun has an NBC system designed and built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). To further enhance battlefield survivability, the Arjun has an automatic fire detection and suppression system. Ammunition is also stowed in watertight containers to reduce the risk of fire.

Specifications

Armament
One 120 mm gun, one 7.62 mm MAG coaxial machine gun, one NSVT 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun, 2 x 9 smike grenade launcher

Country users
India

Designer Country
India

Accessories
Laser range finder, automatic fire detection and suppression system, computer firing system, night vision, NBC protection system

Crew
4

Armor
Composite armour

Weight
58,500 kg

Speed
70 km/h maximum speed on road, 40 km/h cross-country

Range
450 km

Dimensions
Lenght, 10.19 m; Width, 3.84 m; Height, 2.32 m

Mk I