Arjun Mark II (@nitingokhale/Twitter)Reliance Infra is planning to deliver the hull and turret prototype parts for India’s main battle tank (MBT), Arjun Mark II, to Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) six months ahead of schedule, The HinduBusinessLine has reported.
“We are ready to deliver the hull and turret for the Arjun Mark II MBT six months ahead of schedule. This is amongst the first such projects to be awarded to the private sector in India, with the longer-term objective of creating alternative capacities and capabilities,” a Reliance spokesperson told The HinduBusinessLine.
The CVRDE has been looking to increase production of the MBT to meet Indian Army’s requirements. Therefore, it had roped in private players along with the Ordnance Factory Board, the public sector unit (PSU) which was already supplying parts. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had given approval for acquiring 118 Arjun Mark II MBTs at a cost of Rs 6,600 crore.
The Arjun Mark II version weighs less than 50 tonnes and has 90 improvements over its previous version (Mark I). It also relies largely on indigenous components. Reliance is targeting business worth Rs 2,500 crore in defence manufacturing once mass production starts, according to the report.
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