India approves enhanced Arjun tanks
Modernised tanks, Nag missile carriers, AFV countermeasures and phased-array radars have all been approved for acquisition by the MoD.
The purchase of 118 domestically built Arjun Mk IA tanks for an estimated INR83 billion ($1.15 billion) was approved by India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on 23 February.
The 68t Arjun Mk IA is an interim type adopted whilst development of the more thoroughly modernised Arjun Mk II proceeds. However, Shephard understands that the Mk II may not need to be introduced after all, since all the modifications that it entailed are no longer required.
In March 2020, the MoD had concluded negotiations with the Ordnance Factory Board to produce these tanks for the Indian Army by Heavy Vehicle Factory Avadi. Indigenous content
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