The Raksha Rajya Mantri recently visited the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi, Chennai, to acquaint himself with the advanced features of India’s indigenously developed Main Battle Tank, Arjun Mk I A. CVRDE focuses on creating both manned and unmanned variants of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) and combat aircraft line-replaceable units, excelling in system integration and field evaluation. Arjun Mk I A is a cutting-edge weapon platform, enhancing India’s self-reliance in armored vehicles with significant improvements over its predecessor, offering superior firepower, mobility, protection, and crew comfort. Two regiments have been ordered for the Indian Army following extensive field trials.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Raksha Rajya Mantri: This term refers to the Deputy Defence Minister in India, responsible for overseeing the country’s defense policies and initiatives.
- Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE): CVRDE is a research organization under DRDO dedicated to developing Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) and combat aircraft components.
- Main Battle Tank (Arjun Mk I A): Arjun Mk I A is India’s domestically produced advanced Main Battle Tank, equipped with modern technologies for superior performance in warfare.
- Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited: This is a Defense Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in India, responsible for manufacturing and supplying armored vehicles for military use.
- Self-Reliance in Armoured Fighting Vehicles: This concept refers to India’s objective of reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for armored vehicles by developing and manufacturing them domestically.