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Conspiracy to sabotage Arjun tank suspected
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has installed an instrument in Arjun tank, under development for nearly 36 years, following attempts to "sabotage" its engine.
- IANS
- Published: 00:08 July 14, 2008
New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has installed an instrument in Arjun tank, under development for nearly 36 years, following attempts to "sabotage" its engine.
The box-like instrument was installed after the Indian Army termed the winter trial of the indigenous main battle tank (MBT) Arjun a "failure".
Attempts to sabotage the trials of the Arjun tank have failed after the black box was installed, said authorities.
The army had told a key parliamentary panel earlier this month that the MBT failed to deliver at the just-concluded winter trials. The army said that many improvements had to be carried out before it was satisfied with the tank.
After the complaint, engineers from a German company that supplies engines for the Arjun tank were summoned to have a look at the tank while a special team was sent to Germany.
The Minister of State for Defence (Production) Rao Inderjit Singh has also hinted at a conspiracy to "sabotage" the Arjun tank in April.
"The possibility of sabotage needs to be examined. The engines fitted in the tanks were German and were performing well for the past 15 years. I wonder what has happened to them overnight," Singh had said.
However, the army has denied the allegations of sabotage.
The startling revelation from the DRDO has come as the Army seems to have sounded the death knell for the tanks, saying it would purchase no more than the 124 it had signed a contract for.
Returned
Fourteen Arjun tanks were handed over to the Indian Army for user trials last year but were returned to the manufacturer - the Combat Vehicles Development Establishment - with a list of defects.
These included a deficient fire control system, inaccuracy of its guns, low speeds in tactical areas - principally the desert - and the tank's inability to operate in temperatures over 50°C.
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