PM Modi handed over indigenously built Main Battle Tank (Mk-1) to the Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane on Sunday in a function at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi initially paid homage to the martyrs of Pulwama attack and said India believed in peace but would protect its sovereignty at all costs.
He said he was proud to dedicate to the country the Arjun Main Battle Tank to protect the frontier. Arjun MK 1 Alpha is a “contemporary tank in the world with battle winning efficacy,” officials said.
A tank made in Tamilnadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases Bharat’s Ekta Darshan, he added.
Inspired by Tamil Poet Subramanya Bharati, PM Modi quoted his poem ‘Aayudham Seivom….’ and said, “Bharat has taken a massive effort to become self-reliant in defence sector. The focus on making Bharat Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector moves with full speed”.
Arjun Main Battle Tank project was initiated by DRDO and was built in Indian Ordinance Factory production facility in Avadi with an investment commitment of Rs.8100 crore.
