The initial model of India’s domestically produced light tank, designed specifically for deployment in the Himalayan border regions along the disputed border with China, is set to commence trials later this month. According to official sources, the 25-tonne amphibious and air-transportable tank, known as Zorawar, will undergo rigorous high-altitude testing for an extended period. Developed in collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private vendor Larsen & Toubro (L&T), this tank is equipped with artificial intelligence technology and an active protection system, making it highly agile. Despite facing some delays, the tank’s development progressed after overcoming challenges in negotiations with Germany for the supply of high-altitude-optimized engines. Ultimately, an advanced combat engine from Cummins in the US was acquired to power the tank. Additionally, the tank is armed with a 105mm gun sourced from Belgium-based armament manufacturers John Cockerill. These light tanks, integrated with tactical drones for enhanced situational awareness and loitering munition capability, are primarily intended for deployment along the line of actual control (LAC) in Ladakh. This region has been a site of ongoing tensions between the Indian Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) since May 2020. It is believed that the DRDO-L&T tanks will surpass the mobility, firepower, and accuracy of the PLA’s ZTQ105/Type 15 light tanks, which currently occupy positions along the LAC.

The Chinese light tanks were equipped with a 105mm rifled gun that had an impressive range of 3,000m. What made them even more remarkable was their ability to be airlifted and paradropped by the PLA Air Force’s Y 20 military transporters. The IA has ambitious plans to introduce seven light tank regiments, totaling around 315 tanks, with an additional 40 or so platforms in reserve. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has already given its approval for this endeavor in December 2021. This is just the first step in a series of procurement procedures outlined in the MoD’s Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020 (DAP-2020). An Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is required for most materiel purchases, and it marks the beginning of a lengthy process involving around 10-11 steps. The DRDO has chosen L&T as its developmental partner for the light tank program. Under this arrangement, L&T will series-build 59 of these armored vehicles after successful trials. The remaining vehicles, approximately 290, will be tendered out to other local manufacturers under the ‘Make in India’ category of DAP-2020. This approach ensures fairness and avoids any accusations of favoritism towards L&T. However, industry officials have emphasized that these arrangements are flexible. The IA’s light tank project, like many others, has faced numerous challenges and delays. Initial attempts to develop an armored vehicle began in the 1980s, with the DRDO replacing the turret of the Soviet-designed BMP infantry combat vehicle (ICV) with a 105mm gun. Unfortunately, the project was abandoned in 1994 due to the army’s lack of interest, as they considered light tanks to be unnecessary. Undeterred, the DRDO designed another light tank using the same ICV chassis, this time mounting it with a French GIAT TS-90 turret and a 105mm gun. Firing and stability trials were conducted, but once again, the project was shelved due to the army’s indifference.