Final trial of Arjun Mark 1-A held in Pokhran

The final phase of trials of the battle tank Arjun Mark 1 ALFA, the advanced version of the tank, was held on Monday at Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer district. The tank will boost army’s fire power. It has been manufactured indigenously by DRDO and combined vehicles research and development establishment, Chennai. In this new advanced version, the firing system has been upgraded with automatic fire control system guided missiles. It also has many other features which will strengthen the firing capacity of the army. Indian army deputy chief staff Lt Gen SS Hasabnis and director general armed Lt Gen MJS Kahlo and other senior officers were present during the trial. It is to be mentioned that PM Narendra Modi’s riding the Arjun tank at Longewala border has increased the possibility of inducting this tank in the army. According to the information from army official sources, two units of Arjun tank are present in the army, but as per the requirements of the Indian army, DRDO has upgraded 14 features in it. Induction trial has been done and soon it will be inducted in the army. It is planned to induct two more regiments with Mark 2 version which will have the feature of firing anti-tank missiles. A source said, “The Mark 1-A includes an improved gunner’s main sight, integrated with automatic target tracking. This would enable the tank crew to track moving targets automatically, and engage them even when Arjun tank is on the move.” Official sources said, “The Arjun Mark 1-A’s gun is controlled by a computerised integrated fire control system, giving the tank has a high first round kill capability. The gun’s day-and-night stabilised sights, coupled with automatic target tracker, guarantee accurate engagement even in dynamic conditions.” TOI