New Delhi: India showcased the prototype of its indigenously developed light tank, named 'Zorawar,' which is set to be deployed at the frontline in the mountainous region of Ladakh to counter potential threats from China.
Dr Samir V. Kamat, chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), reviewed the progress of the project at the Larsen and Toubro (L&T) plant in Hajira, Gujarat. He announced that the tank is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army by 2027.
The prototype was developed jointly by DRDO and the private sector firm L&T in a record time of two and a half years. It will now undergo six months of development trials. Following this, the tank will be handed over to the Army for user trials, which will include summer, winter, and high-altitude testing. These user trials are expected to take about one and a half years to complete.
The tank is named after General Zorawar Singh, a prominent Dogra military general under Jammu’s ruler Gulab Singh, renowned for his conquest of Ladakh.
During the ongoing standoff with China, the Indian Army had to deploy a significant number of T-72 and T-90 tanks in operational areas. However, these tanks, primarily designed for plains and desert terrain, have limitations in high-altitude areas like Ladakh. They faced similar challenges when deployed in the marginal terrain of the Rann of Kutch.
The new light tank 'Zorawar' promises to be more agile, faster, and capable of climbing mountain tops to effectively challenge adversaries. Weighing 25 tonnes, the initial batch will include 59 tanks for the Army.
One significant advantage of the light tank’s 25-tonne weight is its potential to be made amphibious, allowing it to be deployed across the Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh. Additionally, the tank's weight aligns with the strategic airlift capability at Leh.
In comparison, the Chinese Type 15 light tank deployed along the Northern border weighs between 30-35 tonnes. India's Zorawar, at 25 tonnes, will have a weight-to-power advantage, enabling it to move faster and more efficiently in high-altitude terrains.
