Arjun Tank for accelerated user trials
Arjun Tank is now going to under go accelerated usage cum reliability trial (AUCRT) over 5 months and 5000 kms from november 2007
AUCRT is normally an internal test procedure for army after induction of a armored vehicle. It is normally done for the engineering and logistical performance for Army’s self evaluation. But knowing the history of Arjun Tank development and Army’s disposition, this would well mean another assessment exercise. AUCRT trials were carried out on T-90S tanks last summer and its reported that problems have been observed.
Surprisingly Indian Army has canceled the so called “comparative trials” which was never scheduled. In 2005 when last comparative trials were held, Arjun Tank did not fire at all. The reason was the French Sagem gun sights, which was a higher version of the earlier model, was installed due to due to embargo on the earlier supplier. The sights were checked and installed into the Arjun electronics. However in the desert heat of Rajasthan, the sensitive laser range finder did not perform. Target range is an important parameter, required for accurate firing and hence firing could not be done.
Subsequently, the Sagem officials and DRDO worked on the entire electronics and presented it for trials in 2006. The guns performed, however the Army came up with another observation of the higher fuel consumption in Arjun Tank compared to T-72. The Fuel consumption issue was proven wrong during the later trials meant for the purpose. Indian Army refused to bring in a T-72 for comparative fuel consumption trials.
Subsequently Indian Army came up with another observation that water was leaking into Arjun Tank. As per the standard norm, 1 tank in 10 production tank is to be tested for medium fording. However the loophole is that there are no standards mentioned in GSQR for Medium Fording. The problem identified was that Heavy vehicles Factory and Indian Army use different standards for testing T-72 tanks. However, DRDO ran Arjun Tanks 20 minutes in water to demonstrate medium fording.
Now since the CVRDE is calling the Indian Army for the challenge, Indian Army is out to go in for AUCRT. Unfortunately there is no third party watchdog for AUCRT.
It’s now a open fact that the drivers and officers of the Indian Army armoured corps but its induction is held at bay for some reason or the other.
The history is repeating itself. The Vijayanta Tanks came late hence T-72’s were inducted. Now the T-90S have filled in 10 + regiments which Indian Army is converting from T-72’s. Next armoured regiment conversion is scheduled beyond 2015.
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