The Defence Ministry on Thursday sealed a contract to buy 118 Arjun battle tanks for the Indian Army at a cost of ₹ 7,523 crore which will give a major boost to the country’s military capability.

The defence ministry placed the order for the Arjuna Mk-1A tanks with the Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) at Avadi near Chennai.

The tank has been designed and developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) by incorporating numerous upgrades on the earlier MK-1 Arjun MBT. The ministry said the tanks would ensure effortless mobility in all terrains, besides precise target engagement during day and night.

"The MK-1A is equipped with accurate and superior firepower, all-terrain mobility and an invincible multi-layered protection provided by an array of advanced technology systems. It can take on the enemy during day and night conditions and in both static and dynamic modes," the ministry said.

"The order will also provide a further boost to the ''Make in India'' initiative in the  defence sector and is a big step towards achieving ''Aatmanirbhar Bharat''," it said.

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