India unveils light tank ‘Zorawar’, DRDO chief expects Indian Army induction by 2027

HAJIRA (Gujarat): In a major boost to Indian forces deployed opposite China in Ladakh, premier defence research agency Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private sector firm Larsen and Toubro (L&T) are at advanced stage of trials of the indigenous Light Tank Zorawar.

DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat today reviewed the progress made in the project at the Larsen and Toubro plant at Hajira in Gujarat. Developed in a record time of two years for high altitude areas of Ladakh, the tank is testimony to Indian progress in indigenous manufacturing.

The DRDO and L&T have integrated USVs in loitering munitions in the tank learning lessons from the Russia and Ukraine conflict. The light tank Zorawar weighs 25 tons and it is the first time a fresh tank has been designed and made ready for trials in such a short time.

#WATCH | Exclusive footage of the light tank Zorawar developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen and Toubro. The tank project being developed for the Indian Army was reviewed by DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat in Hazira, Gujarat today. The tank has been developed by the DRDO to meet the… pic.twitter.com/bkJHdWkoWo

— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024

Fifty nine of these tanks will be provided to the Army initially and it will be a frontrunner for the major programme of 295 more of these armoured vehicles.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) can transport two tanks at a time in the C-17 class transport aircraft as the tank is light and can be run at high speeds in mountain valleys. The trials are expected to be completed in the next 12-18 months and be ready for induction.

Even though the first ammunition is coming from Belgium, the DRDO is ready to develop the ammunition indigenously.

DRDO chief Samir V Kamath on Saturday said that the indigenous Light Tank Zorawar is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army by the year 2027 after all trials.

“It’s indeed a momentous day for all of us to see the light tank in action. It makes me happy and proud. It’s indeed an example. In a short period of two years to two-and-half years, we have not only designed this tank but made a first prototype and now the first prototype will undergo development trials over the next six months, and then we will be ready to offer it to our users for user trials. Zorawar is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army by the year 2027 after all trials”.

Speaking on the occasion, Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Executive Vice President Arun Ramchandani said, “It is a great day for L&T today. Within two years, we have brought the tank to a level where it can be taken for internal trials and very soon for user trials. It has been a big effort, a joint effort between DRDO and L&T, and I think it’s a great achievement by both these teams. Nowhere in the world has a new product been deployed in such a short time. It’s a wonderful achievement for both DRDO and L&T”.

DRDO tank lab director Rajesh Kumar said that the unique thing about the Zorawar tank is its weight as well as the combination of the fundamental parameters of a tank.

“Generally, there are three different types of tanks. There are three categories depending on the weight. The heavy tanks, the medium tanks and the light tanks. Each one has its role. One is for protection, one is for offence and these light tanks play a mixed role for both. So, if you see a light tank, many players in the world are making light tanks.

“There are the Western tanks, the Russian tanks, Chinese tanks…what is unique about this tank is the weight as well as the combination of the fundamental parameters of a tank, which is the fire, power, mobility and protection. All three are optimized in such a way that the weight is also maintained. At the same time, you are getting all the parameters. So that is where we stand”, Kumar said. (ANI)