Fate of DRDO Developed Arjun Tank
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed project for development of Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun in March 1995, with delivery of 12 Prototypes and 15 Pre Production Series (PPS) tanks.
Initial sanctioned cost of the project was Rs.15.50 Crore in 1974, which was revised to Rs.56.55 Crore in 1980. A realistic estimate could be done in 1987 to Rs.280.80 Crore and accordingly DRDO obtained a sanction based on firmed up General Staff Qualitative Requirement (GSQR-467) and revised scope of the project. Finally, the project was completed in March 1995 with the total revised cost of Rs.305.60 Crore.
Army has floated Request for Indent (RFI) for ‘Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV)’ for a design competition to identify innovative design options which will form the base for a combat vehicle platform. It is also planned to subsequently develop other need-based variants on this platform, if found suitable.
These platforms are to meet the futuristic requirements of the Services beyond 2027 and are not in conflict with the current MBT Arjun Programme and its future orders.
Two Armoured Regiments of MBT Arjun Mk-I have been raised and operationalised. Out of total indented quantity of 124 Nos., 122 MBT Arjun Mk-I have been produced and inducted into Army. Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for quantity 118 Nos. For MBT Arjun Mk-II is in place
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Raj Babbar and Shri Vijay Jawaharlal Darda in Rajya Sabha today.
DM/NAMPI/RAJ