tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post7378477200863724415..comments2024-03-28T05:22:10.255-07:00Comments on Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.: Good enough for China, but India spurns Arjun tankBroadswordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-53703180689227793612018-03-03T08:03:31.226-08:002018-03-03T08:03:31.226-08:00Time changes rapidly..no army is static..those who...Time changes rapidly..no army is static..those who remain static in their thoughts become dossilied...so the reuirementa change almost daily with new technology development by the others...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10102539161262593796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-61739591941065883622015-07-20T09:59:51.467-07:002015-07-20T09:59:51.467-07:00I second that opinion! Mr. ajai shukla, your suppo...I second that opinion! Mr. ajai shukla, your support for the DRDO is so apparent that your articles should be renamed as 'IVE BEEN ASKED TO PROMOTE DRDO'. All your articles nowadays are just bad. Please go back to being a news correspondent. I loved you in that role..<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-33373702289064762362015-07-13T22:06:07.394-07:002015-07-13T22:06:07.394-07:00Jean Luc Pickard, it was proven by Col. Shukla by ...Jean Luc Pickard, it was proven by Col. Shukla by accessing govt. records itself, that the lighter, smaller and less sophisticated T-90 is already more expensive than the Arjun Mk.1. And this was <i><b>before</b></i> peripheral add-ons that the T-90 demanded to bring it upto task in Indian conditions, such as adding an AC, and some French/Israeli systems. In sharp contrast, the Arjun does not need an AC to keep its electronics from frying, unlike the T-90.<br /><br />So much for "sacrificing" ruggedness and durability. It has nothing to do with the tank's weight.<br /><br />The comparative trials of 2010 established that Arjun Mk. 1 has better firepower, armour and mobility than the T-90. It could withstand a point-blank hit, it could fire more accurately on the move, and has <i>lesser</i> ground-pressure than the T-90 (despite weighing 10 tons more). The last point ensures better mobility in various terrains like deserts or semi-arid or mountainous ones.<br /><br />True, the Arjun Mk.2 is even heavier than the Mk.1, but the Army itself asked for it in its "73 changes". You can't add things AND expect weight to go down. You have to judiciously balance between the two.<br /><br />One can't expect the armies of other nations to prefer Indian Army's changes. The Mk.1 itself can easily beat all Soviet/Russian/European tanks of a generation behind i.e. inducted upto the 90's. <b>Most of the armies globally operate these tanks.</b> The latest Abrams, Merkavas and Le Clercs are not in widespread use at all.<br /><br />Even Russians pitch their "export version" hardware to India and other nations, while keeping the very best for its own armed forces, till it becomes dated. China too follows the same principle. We must also not give away our latest and the best, when a Mk.1 is more than enough for the emerging world's market.Abhimannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-72824416704817533242015-07-13T10:09:09.446-07:002015-07-13T10:09:09.446-07:00@Abhiman: The Arjun is based on the western conce...@Abhiman: The Arjun is based on the western concept of armor, which focuses more on crew protection,comfort, ease(of operations), greater armor protection for combat survivability and NCW capabilities but in the process sacrificing things like durability,ruggedness, better mobility (not just speed), lesser maintenance and cost. It is designed to be used in lesser numbers when engaging a numerically superior (but individualy vulnerable) foe as envisaged by NATO Planners keeping the large number of Warsaw Pact armor formations in mind. <br /><br />Both western and eastern concepts have their own relevant logic. I suggested Mk2 because Per my understanding, it has some critical improvements that are needed to compete with established Tanks and their vendors of its class (most likely western tanks or hybrids coming out of Ukraine and Poland). <br /><br />Such as : Containerization of ammunition, Missile firing capability, LASER Warning receivers, better FCS, NV, and a perhaps an APU to power it all. Note The Arjun is not like the LCA where it has a ,great, price advantage. Therefore, The Arjun will have to compete on features and capability rather than affordability. <br /><br />Most of the nations I mentioned, do not share land borders with India, all of them have cordial relations with us, some can be considered allies. There is no 'secret feature' in these tanks that our enemies dont know about already.<br /><br />Thanks for reading. Jean Luc Picardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07523465808756925391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-79786753090903633252015-07-10T09:44:13.157-07:002015-07-10T09:44:13.157-07:00How good is maintenance setup for Arjun. Are all t...How good is maintenance setup for Arjun. Are all the spares stocked up ? Are all equipment to service available ? Are the ammunition rounds in sufficient number manufactured + logistics setup fir all the above ?<br />These rpthings take time. Let HVF make 248 ordered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-18015873656872297382015-07-09T22:55:40.234-07:002015-07-09T22:55:40.234-07:00Shri. Jean Luc Pickard, why Mk.2, even the Mk.1 ca...Shri. Jean Luc Pickard, why Mk.2, even the Mk.1 can easily be marketed to the middle-east, Eastern Europe and Lat-Am republics. After all, its marketing point is that it comprehensively beat the Russian T-90 hands-down. It has been endorsed by Israeli Military Industries (IMI). And its a desert warrior to boot, unlike the Russian or European tanks that were built for temperate climes.<br /><br />You see, we shouldn't sell our very best abroad. We can extract value from the second best too. This is a common practice by all arms-exporting nations.Abhimannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-62385712759269422802015-07-09T08:16:52.313-07:002015-07-09T08:16:52.313-07:00Whatever the Arjun is now,it cannot be abandoned l...Whatever the Arjun is now,it cannot be abandoned like the Marut.It needs to be worked upon and refined.Anything less,will mean you will always be subject to foreign powers,be they so very friendly now,might turn in the future.Unless you want to continue being a third-rate army, as it's sadly now, without proper basic weapons,ammunition,war reserves etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-35358203230004723622015-07-09T01:15:56.198-07:002015-07-09T01:15:56.198-07:00After looking at the war in syria, I wonder how re...After looking at the war in syria, I wonder how relevant these expensive tanks really are. Anti-tank ammunition is getting smaller and with better guidance system. Has fire support matured enough to support these tanks? If fire support can effectively clear these for the front units then I have no problem with these tanks else arjun will become a target practice.<br /><br />Urban warfare in syria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6_8LMNlRnI<br /><br />Also, the paks(for years) have been creating artificial flood areas, digging trenches, ditches and whatnot at various points to slow us down. We are yet to come up with a plan to bust through all this.SachinWRTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-32872046073699510932015-07-09T00:00:48.703-07:002015-07-09T00:00:48.703-07:00Why is DRDO not offering the Arjun Mk 2 to foreign...Why is DRDO not offering the Arjun Mk 2 to foreign friendly nations ? Im sure there must be plenty nations looking for a solid MBT. <br /><br />For Ex - Nigeria, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Botswana, Afghanistan, Jordan, South Sudan and Kenya and Iraq. For that matter even Egypt and Iran.<br /><br />The Indian Army does not have to be its only customer.Jean Luc Picardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07523465808756925391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-91529089795031509682015-07-08T07:42:30.485-07:002015-07-08T07:42:30.485-07:00THE ARJUN MK-1 ,2 MUST EQUIP THE ARMOURED DIVISION...THE ARJUN MK-1 ,2 MUST EQUIP THE ARMOURED DIVISIONS . IT MUST CONTINUED TO BE REFINED , UPGRADED LIKE THE MERKAVA TO MK3,4, 5 EVEN MK -6 CONFIGURATION . THE RUSSIAN ARMATA WITH 14 DIFFERNT PLATFORMS MUST BE STUDIED BY THE ARMOURED CORPS OFFICERS , SCIENTISTS AND DESIGNERS <br /><br />MODIFIED TO INDIAN CONDITIONS UPGRADED REFINED WITH ISRAELI AND WESTERN JAPANESE ELECTRONICS<br />AND THEN CO PRODUCED LIKE BRAHMOS IN INDIA , SIMULTANEUSLY A 1800 BHP ENGINE DEVELOPED WITH NEW GEN OF ERA , NERA , AND RUSSIAN GUN WITH AMMUNITION PRODUCED IN INDIA AFTER INITIAL IMPORTS . A 50 50 PATERNERSHIP WITH TECHNOLOGY FROM ISRAEL , FRANCE , JAPAN GERMANY INCORPORATED WITH AMODERN PRODUCTION LINE TO PRODUCE OVER 3000 TANKS WITHIN NEXT 10 TO 15 YEARS WILL GIVE A FORMIDABLE CAPABILITY TO THE INDIAN ARMY . Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-79508307224818608972015-07-08T02:43:23.580-07:002015-07-08T02:43:23.580-07:00Ajai, have you ascertained when did the current lo...Ajai, have you ascertained when did the current lot of MK-1s and the new MK2s kast fired their main gun. Will give you a better perspective of the status of this project. Currently, to my assessment - a 64 tonne mobile radio!!!Maj Gen Rajiv Narayananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00323415849400575010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-47952153128846519232015-07-08T02:40:42.472-07:002015-07-08T02:40:42.472-07:00Ajai, have you checked when did the current lot of...Ajai, have you checked when did the current lot of tanks last fired, and why? It doesn't meet even the basic functionality, other than in mobility and communication. So you have a 60 tonne mobile radio!!!!Maj Gen Rajiv Narayananhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00323415849400575010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-75146060763969859022015-07-07T22:53:31.201-07:002015-07-07T22:53:31.201-07:00What does the author have to say about the extreme...What does the author have to say about the extremely low servicibility record if arjun... it has been reported to have very high breakdown rates in service.... and also there is a huge gap between the tanks sent in for trials and the one out of production line... rajendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01972175366264426323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-41626479510879392042015-07-07T22:38:54.395-07:002015-07-07T22:38:54.395-07:00NSR says ---
Read an article saying that all Arju...NSR says ---<br /><br />Read an article saying that all Arjun's are grounded due to spares...<br /><br />India will go no where but down without ordering hundreds or thousands of them...to manufacture and to keep upgrading...<br /><br />With large orders, no vendors will come forward to manufacture sub-assemblies...<br /><br />I only see mediocrity all around...<br /><br />God help India...<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-28194433982381030872015-07-07T18:39:22.945-07:002015-07-07T18:39:22.945-07:00@ SachinWRT
That's a perfectly valid question...@ SachinWRT<br /><br />That's a perfectly valid question and one that I will answer. The Arjun was not a serious tank until 2008-2009 I think, when the DRDO licked the problem of heat-hardening its electronics, FCS, etc.<br /><br />A couple of years before the successful comparative trials, in another set of trials the Arjun was not able to even start up and its FCS went completely awry because of the heat. Those trials were called off in a couple of hours and the DRDO went back to the drawing board to heat-harden its electronics.<br /><br />That was the turning point. That was what led to the Arjun's success in comparative trials with the T-90.<br /><br />I'm not --- like everyone here seems to be --- ideological about my support for DRDO-built equipment. If it don't work, trash it, or go back to the drawing board. But if it meets a basic level of functionality, it has to be supported. The national interest demands that.Broadswordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076780076240598482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-75323717223356710592015-07-07T12:35:28.491-07:002015-07-07T12:35:28.491-07:00Ajai, I remember your discussion with col. wyu abo...Ajai, I remember your discussion with col. wyu about the arjun tank army years ago. You were very strongly against it. You had described the arjun tank as a "big dabba" filled with every possible sub-system from the open market. What changed your mind now?SachinWRTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-6263697710878646312015-07-07T12:01:43.661-07:002015-07-07T12:01:43.661-07:00Cant c a more jaundiced report than this put out. ...Cant c a more jaundiced report than this put out. Rsther than painting sll with a sullied brush....is it time to investigste if such articles are motivated. ....who will holf the journalists accountable? ??? It is indeed s pity that the oublic at large is being misled. Did the author attend the comparitive trials comparing the two tks? Or does he have access to the confidential repirt. Mere ststing is not given to credibility....but alas our common public does not know....so do these jornalists take advantage of on this . ....or take recourse to the fact they wont b ques....becusr serving offrs wont respond. <br />The author hasn't even got the name of the next senior armoured corps officer right...do much for his research and comments on him.What a pity....when will our nation get serious jounalism...shorn of petty alleged perfidy. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-69012366176984796142015-07-07T09:23:07.999-07:002015-07-07T09:23:07.999-07:00The enemy would want you to commit a mistake. The ...The enemy would want you to commit a mistake. The Chinese are praising the tank at a time when the project is about to be scrapped. They have never done this before..<br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-81285219389234772472015-07-07T06:56:23.922-07:002015-07-07T06:56:23.922-07:00Incorrect. The article betrays a bias and is factu...Incorrect. The article betrays a bias and is factually incorrect regarding the mobility of the Arjun tank. The DRDO if it is to be of any use should be under the control of the Defence Forces and then only will they be forced to provide in a time boind manner what the forces require. As things exist, its a very cosy nexus of persons having pretensions of being scientists and bureaucrats of the MoD who have little ground knowledge of the requirements but lot of experience in how files are required to be moved - either in the right direction or sent orbiting into outer space...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-68643307607727640262015-07-07T03:52:14.864-07:002015-07-07T03:52:14.864-07:00Really... on what basis have the Chinese made this...Really... on what basis have the Chinese made this assessment? Do they have one on hand to put it to various tests?<br /><br />Mr Ajay Shukla, disgruntled ex-Army officers like you are a disgrace to the force. The objectivity of your reports keeps falling. You only write what your new pay masters like to hear. It's a shame that you are poisoning so many minds against the Army, in the pursuit of money! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-69413801602798915712015-07-07T02:48:56.705-07:002015-07-07T02:48:56.705-07:00The left hand doesn't know what the right hand...The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing? Who sets the requirements? The government<br />should insist that the army buys the tank as it's bespoke tank for Indian condition.I think their head is turned by Russian Armata tank? Weed these idiots out. Make In India!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-24189893180354286422015-07-07T02:15:27.864-07:002015-07-07T02:15:27.864-07:00just how can we take a Chinese opinion seriously? ...just how can we take a Chinese opinion seriously? They will buckle up, laughing their guts out if we induct substandard military equipment on their advice. Naive indeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-66157835563889107412015-07-06T21:42:54.581-07:002015-07-06T21:42:54.581-07:00Directorate General of Mechanised Forces... dumb.....Directorate General of Mechanised Forces... dumb... dud... leeches (generals)... british blood line... indian blood line... difference... spotted... their line of...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8726844009873922462.post-64514717589776178272015-07-06T21:20:46.146-07:002015-07-06T21:20:46.146-07:00This is utter nonsense and the Indian Army is comp...This is utter nonsense and the Indian Army is completely guilty of changing the goal posts if they keep changing the design QRs as mentioned in the article. The DRDO should put its foot down and highlight this gross lack of responsible behaviour on the part of IA. It looks like the QRs are prepared by amateurs who scour the net looking for nice goodies to add to the wishlist without the faintest idea of what it takes to incorporate these pompous changes. This malaise has been seen in Indian made QRs right from the time of the ALH, who ever heard of a helicopter which will be an air ambulance, corporate helo, attack helicopter, ASW chopper,an AOP helicopter, and capable of climbing to 25000 ft!! What a challenge thrown at the designers!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com