New Delhi, July 13 - The production of the indigenously built main battle tank (MBT) Arjun will continue, with an additional 77 tanks to be supplied to the Indian Army by March 2010, an official said Monday amid concerns about the project.

There was apprehension among Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists that the production would have to halt as the army had put its foot down and declined to buy more than 124 tanks as contracted earlier.

'Currently, the Indian Army has been supplied with one regiment of 45 tanks. Another 77 tanks will be supplied by March 2010. Also, the apprehension of the scientists has been allayed and the production of the tank will continue,' a senior defence official told IANS.

The DRDO needs to manufacture and deliver at least 500 tanks to make the project feasible. The official's comment is seen as a sign that the army might go for more Arjun tanks in future.

Currently the tanks supplied to the army are undergoing tests before being operationalised.

'After this comparative trials will be conducted with the Russian-made T-90 tanks in October-November. Arjun will replace the T-55 and T-72 tanks,' the official said.

The comparative trials, earlier scheduled in May-June 2009, could deliver the final verdict on Arjun that has been 36 years in the making and has cost Rs.