SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has begun manufacturing the second prototype of the Zorawar Light Tank, marking a significant stride in India’s indigenous defense capabilities. This development comes as the Indian Army gears up to conduct extensive trials on the first prototype of this new light tank, designed specifically for high-altitude warfare.
The second prototype’s manufacturing signifies an acceleration in the development process, providing the army with an opportunity to compare and refine the tank’s design based on feedback from the ongoing trials. The Indian Army has expressed intentions to induct up to 354 units of this tank, highlighting its strategic importance in modernizing the country’s armored forces for operations in rugged and high-altitude areas where traditional heavy tanks struggle.
The first prototype of the Zorawar light tank was unveiled in July 2024 at L&T’s Hazira Manufacturing Division, showcasing a remarkable feat of engineering achieved within 19 months from the project’s sanction. This tank has already undergone preliminary automotive trials, including desert trials at the Mahajan Field Firing Range near Bikaner, and is now set to face the Indian Army’s rigorous testing. The trials are expected to take place over the next few months, with a focus on evaluating the tank’s performance in various climatic and terrain conditions, including the high-altitude trials in Ladakh.
The Zorawar light tank is engineered with a focus on mobility, firepower, and protection. With a weight of approximately 25 tonnes, it boasts a high power-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for air, rail, and road transport. It features advanced optics from Safran Paseo for enhanced situational awareness, a 105mm gun for superior firepower, and is equipped with AI-enabled systems for better combat efficiency. The integration of tactical drones and loitering munitions further amplifies its combat capabilities in modern warfare scenarios.
The Zorawar Light Tank project, named after the legendary General Zorawar Singh, is aimed at enhancing India’s armored capabilities in challenging terrains, particularly along the high-altitude regions of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The initiative underscores India’s push towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing, aligning with the broader ‘Make in India’ initiative.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.