Arjun MBT Mk-II version undergoes technical trials
02 Sep 2011
Limited technical trials of the Arjun Mark-II main battle tank (MBT) have been carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the deserts of Rajasthan. The Mk-II sports major and minor improvements on the Arjun Mark-I, 124 of which have already been delivered to the Indian Army for operational service.
This information was given by defence minister AK Antony in a written reply to Naveen Jindal in Lok Sabha today.
The minister also stated that Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the proposal for the placement of an order for 124 more MBT Arjun Mark-II with the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai.
This order is being processed by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
The likely estimated cost of each MBT Arjun Mark-II with all major/minor improvements will be approximately Rs37 crore.
The first batch of MBT Arjun Mark-II is likely to enter series production by 2015.
