Breaking news
DRDO of India to unveil a new 130mm self-propelled gun based on Arjun MBT chassis at Defexpo 1601144.
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Defexpo
2014 Online Show Daily News Land, naval, & Internal Homeland Security Systems Exhibition 6 - 9 February 2014 New Delhi, India |
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DRDO at Defexpo 2014 |
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| Thursday, January 16, 2014 08:05 PM | |||
| DRDO of India to unveil a new 130mm self-propelled gun based on Arjun MBT chassis at Defexpo. | |||
| The
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)of India is all set
to unveil a 130 mm self-propelled gun system, built based on the Arjun
Main Battle Tank (MBT) MK-1 chassis. Developed by the DRDO
lab Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), the
Arjun Catapult Gun System is likely to be displayed in public for the
first time during the Defexpo India-2014, to be held in Delhi from February
6-9, subject to security clearance. |
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 The Arjun Catapult Gun System has adopted advanced technologies of Arjun MBT automotive system along with 130 mm (SP) M-46 gun system. |
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CVRDE
director P Sivakumar told Express on Wednesday that the catapult would
feature advanced technologies of Arjun MBT automotive system, along with
the 130
mm (SP) M-46 gun system.
“It offers the users a self-propelled system with excellent fire power, high mobility and required protection. The catapult will meet the interim and immediate requirements arising out of the replacement of two regiments holding Vijayanta Catapult Guns, by extending the life of 130 mm guns,” he said. Tipped as the fastest project of the DRDO, the Arjun Catapult had its first field development trials in November 2012, four months after receiving the order from the Army. The project cost is estimated at Rs 15 crore. The gun and related ordnance systems for the catapult are being supplied by the Army. The CVRDE has developed one catapult for user evaluation trials. A user-assisted General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR ) trial of the system is likely to to be held at the Pokharan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan during April-May. Some new features of Arjun MBT MK-II being incorporated into the catapult systems will also be evaluated during the crucial GSQR trials. The Army is expected to place an order for 40 catapult gun systems. “The catapult can engage enemy artillery systems, heavy tanks and mortars. It can annihilate enemy manpower and tanks at their concentration area. It can also destroy permanent earth defensive installations and other strong field type fortifications, in addition to shelling enemy rear installations,” said K Sreethar, Head - Artillery, CVRDE. He said the Arjun Catapult has better stability, accuracy and consistency. “The gun barrel is mainly used to engage in indirect fire up to a maximum range of 27.4 km. It can also be fired directly on targets up to 1.4 km range. It can be fired at various angles of elevation as well. The catapult has STANAG Level II protection (a NATO standardisation agreement) for the crew. It has low silhouette and has integrated fire fighting detection and suppression system,” he added. Ergonomics using anthropometric data of Indian troops has been kept in view while designing the fighting and engine compartments. Embedded with a global positioning system, it would also feature night vision devices for both the driver and the commander. |