Arjun Main Battle Tank review, road test

The Arjun MBT project took 30 years to see fruition. Completed using expensive, foreign-made components, critics say the project could have been done faster and better.  But this project, as originally conceived, was nothing short of an impossible dream. Building a complex, world-class weapon system without decades of experience or a competent component industry is simply not possible.  This is true if you want to build a car, and doubly so for a weapons system of this complexity taking on the best in the world who have a lead of more than half a century. Just ask Tata or Mahindra, both of whom have struggled up the slippery slope and faced similar problems and criticism. Even America's Abrams tank was initially riddled with failures and massive delays. And then the gun was replaced with the one from the German Leopard! We could not verify the effectiveness the Arjun as a weapons platform, we cannot tell you how effective the gun or armour are, but if what is claimed is true, then it's been worth the effort. The Arjun may not be the tank Indian planners had hoped for, but  what it is, however, is a stepping stone, possibly a very effective one. Could India buy the American M1A2 Abrams or the German Leopard II? No — these are almost twice as expensive and not for sale, especially not to India. This then, may be the next best thing. Plus, of course, it's the most bloodcurdling, most powerful and simply massive vehicle we have ever driven. Here's looking at you Pervez — through crosshairs.