Background:
The Arjun is India’s first attempt to create a main battle tank. First conceived back in the early 1970’s by the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization, on behalf of the Indian Army, it was expected to be ready for production within a decade. It was intended to encompass lethality, survivability and mobility that would enhance the Indian Armored Corps for operations against likely future threats, post the conclusion of the 1971 war. The Indian Army soon after the initial design and development, identified two significant shortfalls in the defense industrial base; the lack to produce a reliable engine and main gun tube. This led to the initial importing of the two critical components. This and other issues, led to several delays to the program, with the end result being the first tanks rolled off the production floor, in 2004, nearly twenty years after the expected initial date thought. Over the last 16 years, the Arjun has continued to receive updates and modernization in its design. The latest version underdevelopment is known as the Arjun Mk 2.
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