105 mm Light Tank
To eliminate the costly and time-consuming import of light tanks, the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) has developed plans for building an indigenous light tank for use in mountains and in jungle terrain. The ministry of defence (MoD) fast-tracked the emergency purchase of light tanks to counter possible attacks by over 20,000 Chinese troops poised on the Ladakh border along with tanks, artillery, air defence guns, and road construction units.
There have been repeated several attempts to procure light tank over three decades since 1983. These include the trials of three light tanks as replacement of PT-76, 1999 Request For Information (RFI) for 200 wheeled and 100 track light tanks, the ad hoc Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) stand-alone effort of putting a 105mm gun on a BMP-2 chassis which miserably failed and not long ago in 2017 the “In-Principle Approval” for pursuing the case for a mountain tank. Unfortunately, none were professionally pursued to their logical end.
The Qinghai-Tibetan plateau is bounded by the Himalayas in the southwest and the Kunlun and Aljin mountains in the northeast. It towers over southwestern China at an average elevation of 4,000 meters [13,000 feet] above sea level and is known as "the roof of the world." Covering more than 2.5 million km(2), the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau is the highest and largest plateau in the world. The plateau has a highland continental climate and a very complex topography with great variations.
China and India see a useful role for light armor in their confrontation in the Himalayas. Heavy main battle tanks such as Arjun perform poorly in mountains, where the terrain limits their room to maneuver, restricts their angles of fire, strains their engines on steep inclines, and further burdens a tank army’s demanding logistical backbone. In the oxygen-depleted air at high altitudes engines deliver less than 80 per cent of the power they would at sea level.
The new light tank has two main competitors in the global market, namely the Chinese Type 15 light tank and the Turkish Kaplan MT medium tank. Being a vehicle of the same class, the Sprut-SDM1 has two advantages — a main battle tank-type main gun and amphibious capabilities. Both Type 15 and Kaplan MT carry 105 mm main guns with shortened barrels, while the Sprut-SDM1 is armed with the 125 mm cannon that features higher muzzle velocity and lethality. The use of a guided weapon (neither Type 15 nor Kaplan MT deploys such a capacity) dramatically increases the platform’s distance of firing, turning it into ‘a long hand’ on the battlefield.
Hanwha Defense may have a better chance in the Light Tank. The K-21-105 is a potent platform, and India might be offered a K31 based platform while yet to be made K31 chassis be offered for FICV and SPAAG.
The Sprut-SDM1 is a deeply updated variant of the renowned Sprut-SD air-droppable SPATG. Russia’s arms exporting company Rosoboronexport (a subsidiary of state corporation Rostec) introduced an export-oriented variant of the system to the global market in mid-2018. According to the company, the Sprut-SDM1 land platform (its export-oriented model is designated ‘an amphibious light tank’, not ‘a SPATG’) combines high maneuverability and decent firepower. The new system features firepower of the main battle tank and can be airdropped. The export-oriented Sprut-SDM1 is initially intended for naval infantry and ground troops; however, it can be operated as a traditional light tank in an effective manner.
After projecting a requirement for a light tank for employment in the mountains in the wake of the stand-off with China in Ladakh, the Ministry of Defence on 23 April 2021 sought Request For Information [RFI] from the industry for procurement. The Army intends to procure approximately 350 new generation light tanks in a phased manner along with performance based logistics, niche technologies, engineering support package and other maintenance and training requirements. Combat weight not to exceed 25 tons. Last date of Acceptance of Receipt of response is 18 June 2021.
The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, intends to procure a new generation Combat Vehicle Platform, approximately 350 Light Tanks in a phased manner, along with Performance Based Logistics, niche Technologies, Engineering Support Package, and other Maintenance and Training requirements. The Light Tank is planned to be procured under the ‘Make-in-India’ ethos and spirit of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) - 2020. The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, sought information from the Vendors/Industry for participation in Light Tank project in accordance with Chapter-II of DAP-2020.
The RFI noted : "In the foreseeable operational scenario, the need for an agile and mobile light platform, with adequate firepower, protection, surveillance and communication capabilities is increasingly finding its operational relevance. The Light Tank must have the versatility to execute operations in varying terrain conditions across diverse threat and equipment profile of the adversaries Hence, Light Tank, having employability in various sectors in the country, as well as rapid overseas deployment capability is an operational imperative."
The Vendor was to indicate the Basic Design (Base Model) of the platform offered along with the names of customer (Army) to whom the same on similar platform has been contracted or delivered. In addition, proposed configuration, service life and technologies that have already been integrated or capable of being integrated into the basic design of the Light Tank platform on offer, is to be indicated.
The Government of India, Ministry of Defence, is desirous of acquiring Comprehensive Technologies including detailed design manufacturing know-how of the Light Tank platform being offered. The Indian Development Agency will retain the ownership of the design and technologies for the platform to ensure achievement of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The vendors are required to identify each system/sub-system in the platform offered and provide information on the categories of ToT offered.
The supplied Light Tank Platform (s) and equipment shall carry a warranty of 24 months from the respective date of delivery or acceptance of each Light Tank platform by user post Joint Receipt Inspection (JRI), whichever is later. The warranty should cover both Hardware and Software, as applicable. The vendor is to provide broad plan of training of all personnel along with the training aids as applicable (Crew Members, Instructors, and Maintenance Staff etc). Vendor should also indicate the place of training of crew.
Light weight versatile weapon platform with enhance tactical/operational/strategic mobility with greater options for employment in High Altitude Area (HAA), marginal terrain (Rann), amphibious operations etc. The advancement in technology also facilitates that the ‘Light Tank’ is having weapon systems and protection of adequate capacity and is equipped suitably to operate in current/future threat spectrum, to support combat operations as a weapon system.
An Indian Light Tank must be adaptable to Indian Operational Environments and Threat-Cum-Capability Spectrum. All systems and assemblies including ammunition should be able to operate in a minimum temperature as in High Altitude Area and maximum range as existing in deserts terrain, including the existing humid conditions across varied terrain. The design should be modular and physical dimensions should not impede its transportability by inservice rail, road, air and water.
The main armament offered should be a Multiple, Modular and upgradable weapon system with capability to destroy and offer countermeasures to varied threats. The maximum lethality achieved by the platform offered would be to defeat tanks / ‘A’ vehicles, UAVs, soft skinned vehicles and PGMs. Secondary armament will be multiple weapons for anti-aircraft and ground role with different calibre assisted with Remote Control Weapon Station. Ammunition for both main and secondary armament can be fired from the offered platform with Modern Advance Multipurpose ‘Smart Munitions’ with Gun tube launched anti-tank guided missile.
The power to weight ratio of the platform offered must be not less than 25:1 horse power/ton. Measures available for secondary protection on the platform offered include Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA), Soft Kill Measures, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Protection & Instant Fire Detection and Suppression System (IFDSS). The maximum all round passive protection of the platform offered wiould be STANAG Level of all round passive protection including top, bottom, sides and frontal.
Systems/ subsystems available for situational awareness on the platform offered provide day and night high resolution, high field of view and continuous and integrated 3600 real time situational awareness for the crew members. Other special systems available on the offered platform to enhance the overall operational capabilities would be Auxiliary Power Unit, Preheater, Environment Control Unit and Anti Drone capability, UAV Jammers, Net Enabled (UAV feed).
For some operational requirements, a wheeled version of Light Tank may be required. Hence, the RFI asked can modularity be provided and does the technical feasibility exists of providing both tracked Light Tank and some limited number of wheeled Light Tank as a variant of the same product.
In a diesel engine, liquid fuel oil is injected as a fine mist into a cylinder wherein induction air is compressed by a piston to develop a temperature, typically around 900 degrees F., which is higher than the ignition temperature of the fuel, in order to ignite the fuel. In a gasoline engine, the optimum air/fuel mixture is a stoichiometric mixture of 14.7 parts air to 1 part fuel wherein quantities of fuel and air are precisely calculated so that all the fuel is completely burned and all the oxygen in the air is used in burning the fuel, without an excess of either in the exhaust gasses. On the other hand, a Diesel engine, when idling, can easily operate at a 60 to 1 air/fuel ratio, and at full power may typically operate with a air/fuel ratio of 14 to 15 to 1. In other words, the power a Diesel engine develops is determined by the amount of injected fuel into an environment of excess oxygen so that all the fuel is burned, while the power developed by a gasoline engine is determined by the quantity of a precise fuel/air mixture.
The injected fuel quantity of a Diesel engine must be precisely matched with the load for optimum fuel economy and optimum operation of the engine. Where the injected fuel quantity precisely matches the load, the combustion chambers are hotter, with a subsequently higher pressure, than when an excess of fuel is present because the excess of fuel condition for a given load cools the combustion temperatures and reduces power the engine can provide. This means that more power can be extracted from the engine when the injected fuel is precisely matched to actual loading of the pistons.
In any case, both gasoline and diesel engines are designed to operate based on air having an oxygen content of 21% at sea level. The oxygen content of air at a barometric pressure equivalent altitude of around 8,000 to 14,000 feet above sea level would be depleted to as little as around 12%-15% or so. Available oxygen at 14,000 feet is 12.2% compared to 21% at sea level.
When engines are operated at higher altitudes, i.e., at a lower barometric pressure, less oxygen is available, causing the air-fuel mixture to become richer, which decreases engine performance, lowers fuel economy and increases exhaust emissions of CO, PM, and smoke. Both particulate matters (“PM”) and smoke are generated when there is too much injected fuel to be completely burned by the available oxygen in a cylinder, and when loading on the pistons does not match the quantity of injected fuel. While altitude compensators are fitted to some Diesel engines used in vehicles, they are imprecise, and in some instances are merely a preset device or connection, such as a jumper plug or wire, and used only over 10,000 feet, so that the quantity of injected fuel is slightly more by a set amount for under 10,000 feet altitude or slightly less by a set amount over 10,000 feet altitude.
The reduced amount of air for the fuel-air mixture combustion, together with the increased untimely combustion, typically leads to increased cylinder exhaust gas temperatures. For engines including a turbocharger, the decreased barometric pressure and the increased exhaust temperature cause an increase in turbocharger speed. This usually requires power duration to prevent turbocharger damage from overheating and excessive speed.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to allow precision operator control over at least quantity of injected fuel in a diesel engine and separate from operation of the throttle, in order to fine tune and optimize engine operation, performance and fuel economy. It would be desirable to operate a diesel engine in a manner that avoids the resultant increase in exhaust emissions while operating at higher altitudes. Additionally, it would be desirable if a diesel engine could be operated at high altitudes with minimal deterioration of engine efficiency and power capacity, and without sacrificing the engine performance at normal altitude operation.
Ajai Shukla recounts that "the Indian army has used light tanks to great effect in the mountains. In 1944, it used Stuart and Sherman tanks in the battle of Kohima. In 1948 these same tanks pushed back Pakistan forces in the Zojila pass. Against China in 1962, the army used light AMX-13 tanks in the battle of Gurung Hill near Pangong Tso and also deployed them in Bomdila and Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh. In the 1971 Bangladesh campaign, French AMX-13 and Soviet PT-76 tanks played a stellar role in the battle of Garibpur."
In Indian context, during wartime, tanks play a vital role in both offensive and defense warfare over mountains, In both case we were victorious, Tank vs tank engagement are very rare they are mostly used as long range fire-support, for that we can study both 1948 and 1962 campaigns involving tanks.
In 1948, having successfully commissioned the tanks at great height, the assault began on November 1. The very appearance of the tanks utterly dampened the morale of the bewildered Pakistanis who either fled or were vanquished. Once Zojila was taken, the road to Kargil was reopened and Ladakh was safe. Ultimately, on November 24 Kargil was re-taken. Thus the unofficial 1st Indo-Pak War (and perhaps the longest and toughest of them all) ended in success owing to the bold, shrewd and relentless pursuit led by Gen. Thimayya. In the process, Gen. Thimayya emerged as the finest tactician among his contemporaries.
During the 1962 war, after pushing Indian troops back from Galwan, Demchok, Sirijap posts in Ladakh region, the Chinese forces advanced toward Chusul sector, which housed an all-weather airfield. To defend the sector, reinforcements were sent. Two troops of AMX-13 tanks of 20 Lancers were airlifted to Chushul airfield by IAF’s Antonov-12 transport aircraft. The tanks played a significant role in breaking the Chinese attack at Gurung Hill in the western theatre on 18th November 1962. The Chinese force was blunted entirely by the effectiveness of the tanks and artillery fire. Eventually, the airfield was defended and it remained in the Indian hands. For IAF, flying-in the tanks was a major achievement.
To supplement the two armoured regiments (each with 45 tanks) that already defended the China border, the army raised two independent armoured brigades since 2010 – one for service Ladakh and the other for service in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Each of these brigades fields 175-200 tanks. But all these 500-odd tanks are 42-tonne T-72M1s. These medium tanks are too heavy to operate in the narrow, twisty roads and fragile bridges found in the Himalaya. And the T-72 tank engines are unaccustomed to operating at high altititude.
In the 1980s, India’s defense research agency DRDO developed a light tank for mountain fighting which used the chassis of a BMP infantry fighting vehicle with a French GIAT TS-90 turret equipped with a 105-millimeter gun. The machine’s trials continued into the 1990s, but it never entered service due to a lack of demand within the Army.
India’s Armoured Corps, which has majorly used Russian tanks, has an operational requirement for a medium-weight tank — weighing aaround 40-50 tonnes. It is also looking at a lighter tank for areas like the hills, riverines and islands. The Arjun, first envisaged in 1972, was meant to replace the Russian T-72 that is still in service. It was meant to weigh just 48 tonnes but eventually ended up weighing 62 tonnes. The latest version weighs 68.5 tonnes.
The ‘Design and Development of Light Tank on BMP-I’ project approved in 1983 was intended to be complete in 1986. It never reached completion, but continued in production and trials until 1996 to a total cost of Rs 4.53 crore (Rs 2.91 through foreign exchange), well beyond its estimated Rs 2.54 crore. The Army, who had inspired the project with a 1976 GSQR, determined in July 1985 that a light tank on BMP was not needed, but did not withdraw its association from the project and even made suggestions that led in 1988 to 105mm turrets being implemented rather than the planned 90mm turrets.
In October 1999, the Indian Army put out a request for information (RFI) issued to prospective vendors for the requirement of about 200 wheeled light tanks (armoured cars) and about 100 tracked light tanks. The Modernisation (AC) Dte Gen Mech Forces, General Staff Branch, Integrated HQ of MoD (Army), issued a Request For Information [RFI] A/35854/Lt Tk/GS/Mod (AC) in May 2010 for Light Tank [Wheeled & Track].
By 2009 DRDO had developed a light tank based on BMP-II chassis with 105 mm turret (GIAT industries, France). This vehicle is aimed to carry high caliber weapons without sacrificing the strategic or tactical mobility. Mechanical integration of turret with chassis, stability during firing, and compatibility of 105 mm Indian Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) ammunition with turret have been established during the trials.
The DRDO light tank is a tracked amphibious light tank developed in India by DRDO. It is based on "Sarath" chassis, a license-produced variant of BMP, built by the Ordnance Factory Medak with French GIAT TS-90 turret having 105 mm gun. This vehicle is aimed to carry high caliber weapons without sacrificing the mobility.
- 3 men crew for turret
- 105 mm semiautomatic maingun with muzzle brake
- Capable of firing APFSDS, APDS(Armour Piercing DiscardingSabot), HESH (High ExplosiveSquash Head) ammunition
- COTAC semiautomatic FireControl System (FCS)
- Accurate ranging by LRF
- Low-light level TV forcommander and gunner
- Panoramic sight forCommander
- Al alloy turret with 12.7 APprotection level
- Amphibian capabilities
- Stowing capability: Main gun–42 rounds; turret–10 rounds; ammunition compartment–32 round
By 2010 India was re-organizing its mechanised forces to achieve strategic mobility and high-volume firepower for rapid thrusts into enemy territory. By late 2008 reports of China's military build up at the Indian border had become a major concern, with India planning to deploy 15,000 troops in Arunachal Pradesh. It was said that concerns about security in Arunachal Pradesh intensified after the Manmohan-Jiabao meeting in October 2009. The Indian Army forwarded a Request For Information (RFI) for acquiring 300 lightweight tanks for deployment in the Northeastern states and in Jammu & Kashmir. The RFI also included a request for high intensity light tanks, anti-tank guided missiles, anti-aircraft machine guns which should be protection against nuclear, chemical and biological warfare. The Light Tank envisioned 300 tanks (200 tracked 100 wheeled) to be deployed on china border.
In May 2010 Modernisation (AC) Dte Gen Mech Forces, General Staff Branch, Integrated HQ of MoD (Army) issued a follow-up RFI, stating: "On studying and analyzing your response to our RFI Questionnaire for the light tank (tracked), it was observed that there are many voids of information in the response provided by you. We understand that certain inputs may not be divulged at this stage or require clarification/discussion with the customer, however we expect more information on certain technical and physical parameters. Information provided by you will not only help us to know more about your Equipment but also help us to formulate our requirements. A additional questionnaire is enclosed as appendix, you are requested to reply by 20 Jun 2010."
Q.1 Mobility
- (a) What is the power to wt Ratio of the light tank?
- (d) Is the tank Air portable / dropped?
- (e) What are the dimensions of the light tank?
- (f) What is the bridge classification of the light tank?
- (k) Is the Self recovery capability on land and for exiting from water obstacle provided?
- (l) Is light tank Amphibious or not? If yes, specify capability.
Q.2 Fire Power
- (a) Is the main gun of caliber >105mm?
- (b) Are twin launchers for ATGM provided?
- (c) Can launchers fire In service missiles?
- (d) What is Caliber of ATGM launcher?
- (e) What is the main gun amn storage capacity of the light tank for 105mm gun and secy armt? Is light tank capable of firing non lethal weapons? specify.
- (f) Is gun control system an all electric drive?
- (g) Does Gun control system encompass firing all weapon system of the light tank including missile system?
- (h) Is traversing speed for a 3600 traverse 14 seconds or less
- (j) Is override facility provided for the tank commander for traverse and elevation when operating on power control?
- (k) Is real error of stabilization of weapon system at vehicle speed of 25 to 35 kmph less than 0.4 mil in elevation and 0.6 mil in azimuth
- (l) Is fire control system computerized and does it allow the gunner and commander to lay and fire the weapon systems while the light tank is stationary or moving under day and night conditions
- (m) Is fire control system have all relevant integrated sensors? What sensors are available with FCS?
- (n) Is driver passive ni sight with min 350mm range provided
- (o) Is driver day periscope have 100 degree field of view
- (p) Is gunner sight integrated with fire control system and capable of firing all weapons during day and night?
- (q) What are ranges for gunners night sight:- Detection Recognition Identification
- (r) Does commander have a day and night (TI) stabilize panoramic sight?
- (s) Does third gen stabilized panoramic day cum night sight be provided to the commander
- (t) Is override facility for tracking and firing provided?
- (u) Is facility to view gunner sight picture by the commander will be provided?
- (v) Is the LRF integrated in the Cdr”s day cum ni panoramic sight? What is its range?
Q.3 Protection
- (a) What is the Ballistic protection level in the frontal 60 degree arc?From where is the 60 degree frontal arc measured ?
- (b) What is the Ballistic protection levels other then frontal 60 degree arc?
- (c) Does Hull bottom be provide protection against anti-personnel mines including Fragmentation type?
- (d) Has mine counter measures be incorporated to initiate influence mines electronically.
- (e) Does the Armour plate have the capability of mounting strap on ERA panels?
- (f) Is ERA provided?
- (g) Does the Armour plate have the capability of strap on /bolt on appliqué armour to increase protection in selected area?
- (h) What will be the total weight of the tank with strap on ERA panels?
- (j) Is spall liners and roof fragmentation protectors be provided for the light tank?
- (k) Is top attack protection provided against bomblet and shrapnel’s?
- (l) Is passive protection to avoid detection from visual and electronic surveillance devices provided?
- (m) Is the light tank painted with anti thermal and anti laser paint?
- (n) Is state of the art new generation NBC protection provided to the light tanks?
- (o) Is modern Instant Fire Detection and Suppression system (IFDSS) with automatic activation and suppression of fire provided?
- (p) Is the activation time to extinguish fire in crew compartment less than 150 ms.
- (q) Is the time to extinguish fire in Engine compartment is less than 10 seconds.
- (r) Is the ammunition stored in containerized compartments with blow out panels to ensure protection to crew from accidental fire / explosion
Q.4 Misc
- (a) Does the light tank have the compatibility for installing in service Radio sets
- (b) Is Inertial Navigation system (INS) based navigation system provided?
- (c) Is satellite based navigation be provided
- (d) Is pre heater provided?
- (e) Is APU provided?
India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian armored vehicle manufacturers displayed at Defexpo 2016 for the first time a number of combat vehicles developed in India for the Indian armed forces, in March 2016. WhAP, an 8×8 armored infantry carrier developed by Tata (based on Tata’s Kestrel design) wasdisplayed by the DRDO. The vehicle uses a modular design that adapts the platform to differentconfigurations, including infantry carrier, various specialist and support vehicles. The variant ondisplay included a manned turret mounting a 30mm cannon and 7,62 coaxial machine-gun. APC,CBRN, command post, ambulance, 105 light tank etc.
The 25-ton vehicle is powered by a 600 hp diesel engine, that accelerates the vehicle to a maximumspeed of 100 km/h, (10 km/h in water). The vehicle has two propellers for amphibious operation.The vehicle uses hydropneumatic suspension and runflat tires to soften in rough terrain and retainmobility even after tires are damaged. Among the four axles two are steerable, improving thevehicle’s maneuverability in urban and rough terrain.
To counter Chinese Xinqingtan light tank, in July 2017 India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved the INR24 billion (USD371 million) upgrade of 693 Indian Army (IA) BMP-2/2K Sarath infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) to BMP-2M standard. Under the proposed upgrade, the BMP-2’s current power pack will be upgraded from 285 horsepower to 380. The upgrade also will provide better observation and surveillance, night-fighting capability, fire control system and anti-tank guided missile system. The vehicle will gain a capability of having two missiles loaded in ready-to-fire mode, allowing the gunner to fire missiles of his choice.
After the 2017 conflict with China on the Doklam Plateau, India found that a light tank was needed for use in the high mountains. The tanks in the arsenal of the army were too heavy for use in the border area with China and there were only limited possibilities. China had the Xinqintan light tank, which had already been tested in Tibet. The Indian Army wanted a light tank of about 22 tons of combat weight, which can be deployed at heights of over 3,000 meters. It was to be able to fight enemy tanks, armored vehicles and positions on a battle distance of two kilometers.
At that time the Indian Army was in the early planning stages for a new light tank capable of traversing the rugged conditions of India’s mountainous northern borders. A directive from the Army setting requirements for the machine came soon after China tested its own mountain tank in Tibet.
Lt Gen. P.R. Shankar (retd), who is the former Director General of Artillery, in 2020 pitched for the Vajra to be turned into a light tank, saying the current China-Indian stand-off has highlighted the lack of a suitable tank for high altitudes. "The tank is required not only for defending our territory but also for carrying out any offensive into China. Unless we pose a credible offensive threat to China, our territory will always be subject to salami slicing. Having alight tank in adequate numbers in Eastern Ladakh and Sikkim is mandatory."
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the L&T are in talks with each other to possibly convert the Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer into a light or medium-weight tank that could be used in mountain regions like Ladakh. The idea is to replace the heavy 155 mm gun with a 105 mm or 120 mm gun. which will reduce its weight drastically as the design of the turret also changes. More weight reducing technology and material can be used, which will bring down the weight by at least 10 tonnes. This means that the Vajra tank can actually weigh around 30 tonnes or somewhere close, which can be deployed in the mountains.
Talking about the possible ‘Vajra tank’, defence sources said the idea is to replace the heavy 155 mm gun with a 105 mm or 120 mm gun. The chassis or the hull remains the same. The massive 155 mm gun can be replaced by a 105 mm or even 120 mm gun, which will reduce its weight drastically as the design of the turret also changes. More weight reducing technology and material can be used, which will bring down the weight by at least 10 tonnes. This means that the Vajra tank can actually weigh around 30 tonnes or somewhere close, which can be deployed in the mountains.
Engineers of the Central Vehicle R&D Establishment, the Chennai-based DRDO laboratory that designs and develops armoured vehicles, worked with L&T to reduce the weight of the 28-tonne Vajra chassis by 3-4 tonnes, which would make the overall weight of the light tank about 30 tonnes. This wedight would allow the Vajra’s 1000 HP German MTU engine and Allison transmission to give adequate mobility for the light tank, even at high altitude.
J.D. Patil, whole-time director and senior executive vice president (defence and smart technologies), L&T, said in a statement, “We hope and believe that under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat policies of the Government of India, the national asset created in the form of the Armoured Systems Complex to execute this ambitious contract, will provide sustenance to the painstakingly built supply chain of more than 1,000 MSME partners.”
In July 2020, the Indian Ministry of Defence fast-tracked an emergency purchase of light tanks to counter possible attacks by Chinese troops poised on the Ladakh border. DRDO short-listed two options which involved the DRDO’s tank expertise with the manufacturing capability of Larsen & Toubro. The first option would create a 34-35 tonne tank fitting a 105 millimetre Cockerill gun turret on a K-9 Vajra hull, powered by a 1,000 horsepower MTU engine optimised for high altitudes. The DRDO’s second option would use the K-9 Vajra hull and MTU engine, matched with the gun turret of the T-90S tank.
DRDO believed either tanks option would be better the MoD alternative of buying the Russian Sprut SDM1 tank destroyer, which is not in regular production in Russia. By early 2021 the army was "soft-pedalling" the Defence R&D Organisation (DRDO) proposal to manufacture in L&T’s facilities a line of at least 500 light tanks powered by the same 28-tonne chassis, hull and engine that powers the K-9 Vajra. The army has not yet released a “preliminary staff qualitative requirements”, or PSQR.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
