Awaiting Indian Army’s preparedness report card with Arjun Tank
The Accelerated User Cum Reliability Test (AUCRT) of Indian Army’s preparedness with Arjun tank is already over. On the tank’s part, the DRDO ensured the text book performance. The Arjun Tank performed in the searing heat of Rajasthan sands. The transmission gear which created a temporary hitch the winter trials, performed smoothly.
The trials are for checking the Indian Army’s preparation for inducting Arjun Tank and not judging the tank itself. However, the Indian Army projects that it’s more of Arjun Tank evaluation and not about Army’s preparedness.
There was skepticism about the AUCRT, as there are doubts on Indian Army’s preparedness to induct Arjun tank. It’s assumed that if Indian Army successfully completes the AURTC trials, it will be more of a miracle than preparedness.
The six month trial saw dramatics. The negative parliamentary report filed by the Indian Army on the performance of Arjun Tank back had back fired. The Indian Army Chief had to fly to Avadi, the home of Arjun Tanks along with Defence Ministry officials. Even the Indian Army Chief had called Arjun Tank as a substandard Tank, for which he offered no quantifiable reasons. There was a talk of possibility of sabotage. Ironically, the Director General Mechanised forces (DGMF) was asked to ensure induction of Arjun Tanks.
Possibility of this political pressure and national attention brought to it by Indian Army’s own folly must have ensured completion of the AUCRT. Probably the “miracle” did happen. Currently, the belief is that the induction will drag on as there is uncertainty over the existence of current government and even if survives, the elections will set in. The Defence minister AK Antony is more focused on saving the party than saving Arjun Tank.