Tank Ex/Karna Tank | |
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![]() 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 | 47 tonnes (52 short tons; 46 long 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 mm tank gun LAHAT ATGM |
Secondary armament | 12.7 mm AA MG 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, or Karna Tank, was the code name of the prototype main battle tank developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in 2002. Tank ex is based on existing Arjun and Ajeya 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 after Karna, the chief protagonist of the Indian epic The Mahabharata.[3][1][4] It underwent six months of trials, but was subsequently rejected by the Indian Army. Total eight Tank Ex prototypes were built.[1]