| Tank Ex/Karna Tank | |
|---|---|
 Three-quarter front view of a Tank Ex in parade | |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | India |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Defence Research and Development Organisation |
| Manufacturer | Heavy Vehicles Factory |
| No. built | 8 prototypes[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 47tonnes (52short tons; 46long tons) |
| Length | 9.19 m (30 ft 2 in) |
| Width | 3.37 m (11 ft 1 in) |
| Height | 2.93 m (9 ft 7 in) |
| Crew | 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader and Driver) |
| Armor | Composite |
Main armament | 120 mmtank gun LAHATATGM |
Secondary armament | 12.7 mm AAMG 7.62 mm coaxial MG |
| Engine | Diesel 1,000 hp (700 kW) power plant (as on the Combat Improved T-72) |
| Power/weight | 21 hp (16 kW)/ton |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic |
Operational range | 480 km (300 mi)[1] |
| Maximum speed | 60 km/h (37 mph) (road) 40 km/h (25 mph) (cross country) |
Tank Ex, orKarna Tank, was the code name of the prototypemain battle tank developed by theDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 2002. Tank ex is based on existingArjun andAjeya tank. This MBT uses turret and weapon system's of the Arjun MBT and chassis of the T-72 M1 (Ajeya) MBT.[1] Tank Ex was developed as an attempt to modernize India's existing Ajeya tanks, using technology derived from the development of the Arjun MBT.[2] It was named afterKarna, the chief protagonist of theIndian epicTheMahabharata.[3][1][4] It underwent six months of trials, but was subsequently rejected by the Indian Army. A total of eight Tank Ex prototypes were built.[1]
The Tank Ex MBT uses the chassis of the T-72M1 (Ajeya) and the turret and weapon system of the Arjun. It was developed in 2002 as a private venture and was intended to provide a solution for upgrading the Indian Army's ageing T-72M1 fleet. It was rejected by the Indian Army after eight prototypes and six months of trials.[1]
On July 5, 2008, Gen. Dalip Bhardwaj, the Indian Army's Director General of Mechanized forces (DGMF), declared that the army had rejected Tank Ex. This was part of an announcement that there would be no further orders forArjun tanks, and that the military would be inviting participants from various countries to discuss future tank developments.[5]
Weighing in at 47 tons, the Tank Ex is heavier than the T-72M1 (41 tons) and much lighter than the Arjun MBT, (58.4 tons). It has a 1,000 hp (700 kW) power plant giving apower-to-weight ratio of 21 hp (16 kW)/ton for a total weight of 47 tons. This represents an improvement over the T-72M1's 20 hp (15 kW)/ton, with a weight of 41 tons and a 780 hp (582 kW) power plant. The Tank Ex utilizes the Arjun MBT's 120 mm rifled gun firing unitaryAPFSDS andHESH semi combustible cartridge case ammunition.[1][2] A total of 32 rounds are carried, as compared with 39 in the Arjun and 45 two piece rounds in the T-72.[2] Aglobal positioning system is provided for accurate navigation.[2] This is a feature common to both the Arjun MBT and the Combat ImprovedAjeya.
The Tank Ex utilizes the "Kanchan"composite armour, especially over its frontal arc (turret as well asglacis), giving it protection against both Kinetic andHEAT rounds.[1][2] The usage of theArjun turret design indicates that the Tank Ex may also have its "ready" ammunition stored in the bustle (as in the Arjun), separated from the crew and provided with blow-off panels. This would be a significant protective feature comparable with Western design practices. The Tank Ex retains the T-72's mobility, with a road speed of 60 km/h[1] and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h.[2][6] With a maximum gradient climb of 30 degrees, it remains in line with all variants of the T-72, like the T-72BM. The Tank Ex is better at trench crossing with a capability of crossing 2.6 meters as compared to the T-72M1's 2.28 metres. The Tank Ex can also climb vertical obstacles up to 0.85 metres tall. The tank's shallow fording capabilities are quoted as 1.2 metres. The Tank Ex should also have the capability to fire theIsraeliLAHAT missile from its gun-barrel, like theArjun.[1]
| Main battle | |
|---|---|
| Light /medium | |
| Prototypes, experimentals | |
Background:History of the tank,Tank classification | |
