Main Battle Tank
Arjun MBT
The Arjun is an Indian main battle tank designed by DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment and built by Heavy Vehicles Factory Avadi in Tamil Nadu. Accepted for service in 2004, it weighs about 58.5 t and is operated only by India.
India|DRDO / Heavy Vehicles Factory AvadiWhat Is the Arjun MBT? Overview, History and Development
Development began in the early 1970s, with first prototypes in the 1980s and a long delayed programme, and the tank was accepted for service in 2004. It weighs a commonly cited 58.5 t, and about 68 t for the Mk1A. Its 120 mm rifled gun uses separate-loading ammunition loaded manually, with a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun. Crew is 4. A German MTU MB 838 Ka-501 diesel of 1,400 hp gives about 67 km/h on the road and about 40 km/h cross-country. Armour is Kanchan composite.
About 124 Mk1 tanks were delivered to the Indian Army, equipping two regiments in Rajasthan near the Pakistan border. The Mk1A has 72 improvements and was ordered in 2021, 118 tanks for about 7,523 crore INR, roughly 1 billion USD, with deliveries from 2025 reported. Total built is roughly 240 Mk1 and Mk1A on order, a commonly cited and unofficial figure. Arjun is far heavier than the T-72 and T-90, which limits bridge and rail transport, and the army chose the T-90 in larger numbers.
Arjun MBT Specifications: Weight, Armament, Armor and Mobility
Arjun MBT Variants and Versions Compared
The Arjun Mk1 is the original version, with about 124 delivered to the Indian Army.
The Arjun Mk1A is the upgraded version with 72 improvements, ordered in 2021.
The Arjun Mk2 is a planned future development, alongside the FRCV concept.
Which Countries Use the Arjun MBT? Operators and Users
IndiaArjun MBT FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How much does the Arjun tank cost?
The 2021 order for 118 Arjun Mk1A tanks was worth about 7,523 crore INR, roughly 1 billion USD. That is a programme price of roughly 8.5 million USD per tank, a derived estimate rather than an official unit price.
How heavy is the Arjun tank?
The Arjun weighs a commonly cited 58.5 t, and the Mk1A about 68 t. This is far heavier than Indian T-72 and T-90 tanks, which limits bridge and rail transport.
How many Arjun tanks does India have?
India has about 124 Arjun Mk1 tanks in service in two regiments, plus 118 Mk1A tanks on order, roughly 240 in total. These figures are commonly cited but not official.
Is the Arjun better than the T-90?
The Arjun is better protected and heavier at about 58.5 t, but the Indian Army chose the Russian T-90 in larger numbers. The Arjun’s weight limits bridge and rail transport, which has been a main criticism.
Which countries use the Arjun tank?
The Arjun is used only by India, with no export customers. The Mk1 equips the 43rd and 75th Armoured Regiments in Rajasthan, near the Pakistan border.
What is the Arjun Mk1A?
The Arjun Mk1A is the improved version with 72 upgrades, including a new gunner sight, Kanchan armour, a remote-controlled weapon station, laser warning and a panoramic sight. It was ordered in 2021.