Arjun Mk1A MBT
India's indigenous main battle tank designed and developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) under DRDO. The Mk1A is the definitive production variant featuring 89 enhancements over the original Mk1, including improved fire control system with laser warning and countermeasures, commander's panoramic sight with thermal imaging, explosive reactive armour (ERA) for enhanced protection against HEAT rounds, improved suspension for better cross-country mobility, and Mine Protection System. Armed with a 120mm rifled gun (India uniquely retained rifled tank guns when most nations adopted smoothbore) firing FSAPDS, HESH, and HE ammunition, capable of launching the LAHAT gun-launched anti-tank guided missile with range of 6 km. Secondary armament includes a 12.7mm commander's machine gun and 7.62mm coaxial MG. Powered by a 1,400 hp MTU diesel engine. Weight of 68 tonnes. The Arjun Mk1A faced protracted development but has proven its capabilities in desert trials. Indian Army has ordered 118 Mk1A tanks with initial deliveries from 2022.
- Kanchan composite armor provides excellent frontal protection
- Advanced hunter-killer fire control system
- Indigenous design with full domestic logistics support
- 58 improvements over Mk1 including explosive reactive armor and advanced FCS
- Extremely heavy (68t) — limits strategic mobility and bridge crossing in plains/mountains
- Rifled gun limits compatibility with NATO-standard APFSDS ammunition
- Lower reliability record compared to T-90 Bhishma in IAF service
- Too heavy for eastern/mountain sectors — restricted to desert/plains theater
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