- Yes
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Suggestion No.46
G’day lads. I want to suggest the most modern and most armoured Vijayanta tank for WT, which would be the upgraded Indian Vijayanta Mk.2, “Vijayanta” meaning Victorious in English :)
Description:
Spoiler
The Vijayanta Mk.2 tank is an upgraded version of the original Mk.1, featuring several enhancements to improve its combat capabilities. It is equipped with a Yugoslav SUV-T55A fire control system, which has thermals and a laser rangefinder. The tank also features Kanchan advanced composite armor, providing better protection against modern anti-tank weapons. It is powered by a more powerful T-72 V-84 engine, delivering 780 horsepower and significantly improving its mobility and operational range. While the main armament remains the 105 mm L7A2 rifled gun, the improved fire control system allows for more effective target engagement. Additionally, the Mk.2 includes a land navigation system, enhancing its operational capabilities in various terrains. Other upgrades include improved suspension, better communication systems, and enhanced crew comfort and safety features.
History:
Spoiler
The Vijayanta was the first indigenous main battle tank developed and produced in India. The journey of the Vijayanta began in the early 1960s when India decided to develop a tank using local industrial resources. The design was based on the British Vickers Mk.1 tank, and the production was initially carried out by Vickers-Armstrongs in the UK.
In 1961, Vickers-Armstrongs agreed to design a new main battle tank for the Indian Army, which led to the creation of the Vickers Mk.1 prototype. By 1963, two prototypes were completed, and production began both in the UK and at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi, near Chennai. The first Vijayanta tank was delivered to the Indian Army on December 12, 1965, and it entered service shortly after.
The Vijayanta tank saw extensive action in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and Operation Blue Star. Over its production period from 1965 to 1986, a total of 2,200 tanks were built. Various upgraded versions were developed, including the Vijayanta Mk.1A, Mk.1B, Mk.1C, and the Mk.2.
In the 1980s, India started on the development of the Vijayanta Mk.2, aiming to modernize the existing Vijayanta tank fleet. This effort was part of the “Bison” project (honestly no idea why India keeps naming upgrade programs as “Bison”), which sought to incorporate new tech to enhance the tank’s performance and survivability. The Mk.2 version was designed to include several significant upgrades, such as advanced composite armor, a powerful engine, a digital fire control system, and a land navigation system compared to the former variants, which I already explained in the description.
By the early 1990s, prototypes of the Mk.2 had been developed and tested, showcasing improved combat capabilities compared to the original Mk.1. Despite these advancements, the decision to continue the project faced challenges. In 1997, it was decided to shelve the plan to fully upgrade the Vijayanta fleet with the Mk.2 upgrades. The overhaul process was discontinued between 1999 and 2000, as the decision to phase out the Vijayanta tanks had already been approved.
By 2008, the Vijayanta tank was phased out from active service. Some retired Vijayanta tanks have been converted for other uses, such as static artillery and self-propelled guns.
Armaments:
Spoiler
L7A2 105mm cannon, capable of firing APFSDS (105mm FSAPDS, weighing 6.3kg with the APFSDS still inside, having 150mm of penetration from a 60° angle, while fired from 1300m), APDS, HEATFS or HESH
1 coaxial 12.7mm L21A1 machine gun
1 coaxial 7.62mm L3A1 machine gun
1 roof mounted 7.62mm L37A1 machine gun (removed for this variant, but might still be capable of having it)
SUV-T55A, which gives it a laser rangefinder and gen 2 thermals
Specifications:
Spoiler
The Mk.2 has a length of 9.788m, a width of 3.168m, and a height of 2.711m. The tank has a crew of four. With the addition of Kanchan advanced composite armor, the Vijayanta Mk.2 weighs approximately 45 tons. Due to the weight increase, it is powered by a T-72 V-84 engine, delivering 780 horsepower. It features a David Brown TN12 semi-automatic gearbox and torsion bar suspension. The tank has an operational range of 530 km and can reach a maximum speed of 50 km/h.
Sources:
Spoiler
https://www.reddit.com/r/IndianDefense/comments/1acv40p/vijayanta_mk_2/
https://fighting-vehicles.com/tanks/vijayanta-tank/
The main Indian battle tank Vijayanta (Vickers Mk.1)
Arjunk Mk1/Mk2 "Kanchan" Armor. - Ground Zero - Steelbeasts.com
https://testbook.com/important-days/vijayanta-was-handed-over-on-december-12-1965
Thanks a lot for reading! If you have any extra information, as this vehicle is quite obscure, then feel free to share them in the replies! As always, have a good day :)