Six years behind schedule, the Army has finally kicked off the rebuild of its Arjun tanks, with two Mk-1s set to be stripped down and refurbished at the Heavy Vehicles Factory in Avadi. The two tanks will also get 26 upgrades borrowed from the newer Mk-1A variant and will serve as a pilot for the overhaul of the Army’s remaining 124-strong fleet. The repair procedures developed here will form the template going forward.The Arjun has never had a full overhaul before. A 2016 CAG report flagged that the tank, inducted from 2004, was due for its first overhaul by 2020, but no agency had even been identified to carry it out. The same audit found the Arjun sitting idle since 2013 due to a lack of repair facilities and poor spares support from HVF. Engine-level work continued separately, with Engine Factory Avadi and CVRDE running a powerpack overhaul exercise that the current project now builds on, but a full hull-and-turret rebuild is happening for the first time.Of the 26 upgrades, six are major, including a commander’s panoramic sight, the Mk-II gunner’s sight, an automatic target tracker, an improved muzzle reference system, upgraded tracks and a better running gear system. The remaining 20 are smaller fixes, ranging from an auxiliary power unit and improved fire suppression to LED headlamps and better dust sealing.The Arjun Mk-1A programme remains stalled as the 118 tanks ordered from the Heavy Vehicles Factory in 2021 for Rs 7,523 crore are yet to be delivered, with engine supply emerging as the principal bottleneck. Conceived as a major upgrade over the Mk-1, the Mk-1A variant was designed to sharpen firepower, mobility and survivability. It carries a redesigned turret with improved Kanchan armour and explosive reactive armour, while introducing 89 enhancements, 73 of which could be retrofitted into the earlier Mk-1. Standout additions include non-explosive reactive armour, integration of the gun-launched SAMHO anti-tank guided missile, automatic target tracking, a new commander’s panoramic sight, and uncooled thermal imaging systems for both gunner and driver.Crew safety has been bolstered with containerised ammunition bins, while agility is improved through a redesigned suspension and advanced running gear. With higher indigenous content, the Mk-1A reflects India’s push for self-reliance, though delivery delays underline persistent challenges in defence production. The existing fleet of 124 Mk-1s, inducted between 2004 and 2010, equips two armoured regiments: the 43 Armoured Regiment and the 75 Armoured Regiment.