India’s armor ranks have for years had a combination of Soviet-era T-72s, T-90s built by Russia, and the locally made Arjun Main Battle Tank. The most advanced among these is the Arjun Mk 1A, a prime example of India’s quest to join nations with the capability to develop and manufacture their leading-edge tanks. But converting that dream into a tangible reality was a long and arduous process.
The biggest challenge facing it today is engines. Germany’s MTU MB 838 Ka-501 V10 engines, for which the Army is expected to make 118 Arjun Mk 1A tank purchases, are not due at least for another four years. It has put the Army on hold and has had India hasten the development of its native engine.
The intention is to subject 20 of the new engines to rigorous testing before full induction, not just for the Arjun but for upcoming platforms like the FRCV as well.
The DATRAN engine is being built to withstand harsh conditions, with self-cleaning filters, next-generation Common Rail Direct Injection, and the capability to run at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters and temperatures from -45°C to +55°C.
It is not easy to fit the DATRAN engine in the Arjun. The engine compartment of the tank was initially designed around the smaller, U-shaped MTU, so it will need a roughly two-year redesign effort to accommodate the bigger engine.
The Arjun itself is designed on Western tank design lines, with emphasis on heavy armor and high-caliber guns. Weighing over 68 tons, it is among the world’s heaviest main battle tanks. Its Kanchan composite armor, augmented by MK-II Explosive Reactive Armor, is resistant to contemporary APFSDS rounds. But all that armor comes with mobility and transportability trade-offs.
Weight has been a recurring problem. Most bridges in India, particularly in Punjab, can only carry around 50 tons, so the Arjun cannot travel freely on much of the nation. Durable wide tracks assist in spreading the load, but a Nominal Ground Pressure of 0.85 kg/cm² off-road mobility is little enhanced.
Consequently, the tank is mostly used in the deserts of Rajasthan, where there is open country and more robust infrastructure that can handle its weight and size.
These are lessons that are shaping India’s future tank project, FRCV. The Army is looking for a crew of four, an autoloader, active protection systems, drones, and heavy armor, all on a 55-ton weight limit or less—a balancing act between firepower, survivability, and mobility.
In spite of the challenges, the Arjun has made its mark. It has defeated the Russian T-90 in direct testing, demonstrating that India can produce a tank that can compete on the world stage.
India is also going outwards, exporting the Arjun to African nations as a cheaper option compared to Russian tanks. As global dynamics shift, new markets are emerging, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has mentioned how India’s focus is on exporting $5 billion worth of defence equipment, of which the Arjun is the key offering.