(a) the present status of the development of Medium Battle Tank (MBT);
(b) the time by which it is likely to become operational;
(c) the original estimated cost and the escalated cost of the project thereof;
(d) whether some foreign countries have made any demand to procure the MBT; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI PRANAB MUKHERJEE)
(a) Main Battle Tank Arjun is currently under production at Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi under the aegis of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). Users have placed an indent of 124 tanks with OFB. The entire quantity will be produced by March 2008.
(b) Five Arjun tanks have been handed over to Army for evaluation. Twenty nine tanks will become operational with the users by June 2006.
(c) The original estimated cost of Rs. 15.50 crores in May 1974 was revised to Rs. 305.60 crores at the time of completion of the project during March 1995 due to change in specifications and scope of the project.
(d) & (e): There has been no such demand.