The Arjun Main Battle Tank: An Emblem of Indian Engineering

Tanks on the Frontline: The Evolution of Ground Combat

No matter how strong the Air Force is, a country would always need tanks when at war. And this could be easily seen in today’s world when Israel is at war with Hamas, the mighty Israeli Force has been using tanks against Hamas to show them their real place & protecting the country & its people. 

On Wednesday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that Sinwar, the architect of the 7 October attack over a year ago, was “eliminated” in southern Gaza. 

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that Sinwar, the architect of the 7 October attack just over a year ago, had been “eliminated” in southern Gaza.

They said he was identified by infantry forces combing an eastern section of southern Gaza, Tal El Sultan, which they believe senior Hamas operatives are using as a headquarters.

 

The soldiers saw three men attempting to be militants running between houses and opened fire at them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire in which Sinwar reportedly escaped into the ruined building, according to Israeli media.

It said tank shells and a missile were fired at the building.

 

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari says at this point he could only be identified as a fighter.

 

Similarly for decades, India has relied on imported military platforms, including tanks. India currently has T-90, T-72, and Arjun main combat tanks & with these only Army operates. Tanks have remained an important part of modern combat for various reasons. It is because the tank’s powerful gun could finish off one of today’s light armoured vehicles. But it would be impotent against a modern battle tank. Tanks are built around three primary components: mobility, armour, and firepower. 

 

Since their first appearance in World battle I, they have grown into battle machines with powerful weaponry and armour. Today, these battle machines are referred to as Main Battle Tanks.For decades, India has relied on imported military platforms, including tanks. India currently operates T-90, T-72, and Arjun main combat tanks.

The DRDO-made Arjun Main Battle Tank became one of the mainstays of self-reliance in defence technology for India. Starting way back in early 1970s, the tank has been thoroughly tested and evolved under the guidance of the DRDO. Having seen the inclusion of impressive details and capabilities, the Arjun placed itself as one of the top candidates in modern armoured warfare.

 

The Arjun MBT is a toughly designed vehicle weighing approximately 58 tons. The heavy tank is driven by a 1,400 horsepower engine that propels the MBT to a maximum speed of 70 km/h on roads and 40 km/h off-road conditions. In this respect, the power combined with advanced suspension systems endows the Arjun with a superb mobility that aids in manoeuvring on different terrains.

 

Its length, including the gun, is 10.66 metres, width 3.7 metres, and height 2.6 metres. The low profile and sloped armour design make it survivable in combat for effective engagement without exposing it to enemy fire.

 

The core of the Arjun MBT is its powerful firepower. It equips a 120mm smoothbore gun, from which there are different types of ammunition: HEAT and APFSDS round. The autoloader complements the gun to boost the rate of fire and thereby decrease the burden on the crew.

 

The other significant aspect of the primary armament of the Arjun is its 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted on a remote-controlled weapon station. Such multi-faceted armament enables the quick targeting of armoured and soft conflict targets as needed in combat operations.

The Arjun MBT boasts impressive composite armouring, protecting it from a myriad of threats such as anti-tank guided missiles, and kinetic energy penetrators. The armour composes layers of steel, ceramics, and plastic to augment its defences while curtailing weight.

 

In addition, the Arjun is equipped with several active protection systems, such as the Laser Warning System (LWS) and the Soft Kill System (SKS), which detects incoming projectiles and neutralises them in time. This significantly increases crew survivability and general effectiveness of the tank in the field.

 

The Arjun MBT features integrated state-of-the-art technology, which integrates an advanced fire control system with a ballistic computer along with stabilising systems to ensure accurate firing on the move. In addition to that, the tank carries night vision as well as thermal imaging to enable operations in low-visibility conditions.

 

The digital communication systems allow coherent coordination with other units on the battlefield, enhancing situational awareness and effectiveness of the tactics.

 

The Arjun Main Battle Tank is an epitome of India’s defence capabilities. The mobility, firepower, and protection aspect make it an irreplaceable asset for the armour corps of the Indian Army. This tank reinforces the argument that indigenous defence manufacturing has gained momentum within the country as India continues its quest to upgrade its supply of defence equipment. The Arjun MBT will, therefore, be an important player in modern warfare for years to come, as it continues to keep upgrading and refining itself.

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