Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hand over the Arjun Main Battle Tank Mark-1A (MK-1A) to the Indian Army on February 14 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said it is a great decision by Prime Minister to dedicate MK-1A to the nation.
"It is a great decision by Prime Minister to dedicate MK-1A to the nation by handing it over to Indian Army, giving a message that India stands by its indigenous systems and they would be promoted and encouraged in a big way," he said adding that it is a step towards making India self-reliant.
Speaking to ANI he said Arjun Mark-1A is an all-state-of-art feature incorporated tank with 71 additional features.
"People in the country and the organisations should strive in making state of art indigenous systems so that in the upcoming years the armed forces will have the maximum indigenous content based equipment," Mr Reddy added.
He said many more are being planned and developed, such as air-to-air missile Astra for IAF and navy, smart anti-airfield weapon, air-independent propulsion, ATAGS guns, future aircraft and medium power radar.
Mr Reddy said the Arjun tank order for 118 tanks is Rs 8,500 crore worth of order, adding that "Around 200 industries are working in a chain for the order in different ways, and provide employment for more than 8,000 people, which will boost the industries and the country's economy in a big way."
V Balaguru, Associate Director of Main Battle tank and Transfer of Technology Department, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, said there are 71 additional upgrades over the Arjun Mark 1.
"Arjun Mark 1A has 71 major and user-driven upgrades that make it world-class and will immensely benefit the Indian Army. Features like increased mobility, fighting capabilities are added in the MK-1A," Balaguru said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Looking Forward To Meaningful Discussions At G20, Says PM Modi Video: With Dance And Dhol, PM Modi Receives A Traditional Welcome In Bihar Dominica To Award Its Highest National Honour To PM Modi Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot Quits AAP, 'Sheeshmahal' Jab Is Parting Shot How August 15 Flag Row Caused Rift Between Arvind Kejriwal, Kailash Gahlot Days After Cremation, Gujarat Man Walks Into Prayer Meet In His Memory Canada's 24-Hour Weekly Work Rule For Indian Students Comes Into Effect UP Cops Arrest Mystery Man Who Hit Sleeping Women On Head, 1 Of Them Died Vir Das Meets IIT Graduate Working As A Driver In US, Post Moves Internet Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.