India orders Arjun Mk IA tanks
The Indian Army will receive a total of 118 improved Arjun Mk IA main battle tanks. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
After much dilly-dallying, India has ordered its second batch of Arjun tanks.
The Indian Army has finally placed an order for 118 Arjun Mk IA MBTs, by signing off on the INR75.23 billion ($1.02 billion) acquisition on 23 September.
Under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the tanks will be manufactured at Heavy Vehicle Factory Avadi in Chennai. The Arjun Mk IA features 72 modifications compared to the previous mark, and it incorporates a slightly higher percentage of local content (reportedly 54.3%).
Arjun Mk IA was developed by the Indian government’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) from 2010-12, being submitted for user trials in June 2012, which raises the question of why it took nearly a
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![First gun barrels for British Army howitzers due from Rheinmetall’s new UK factory in 2027]()
First gun barrels for British Army howitzers due from Rheinmetall’s new UK factory in 2027
The new Rheinmetall facility will supply barrels for UK RCH 155 howitzers and Challenger 3 tanks while also opening up potential export opportunities, providing a currently absent national capability.
-
![Germany increases Arrow missile defence deal to $6.1 billion as American interest grows]()
Germany increases Arrow missile defence deal to $6.1 billion as American interest grows
Germany’s move to buy Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow missile defence system became public in mid-2023 with approval from the US government shortly after. The first operational system is expected to be in service before 2030.
-
![Sweden’s recent air defence spend tips to $6 billion with 2026 procurement planned]()
Sweden’s recent air defence spend tips to $6 billion with 2026 procurement planned
Procurement of various short-range systems will begin in the first quarter of 2026, with additional procurements to be made later in the year.
