SOURCE: AFI

In a recent statement, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has shed light on the next steps for the Zorawar light tank following its high-altitude trials. The trials, conducted in the challenging terrains of India’s northern borders, have been pivotal in assessing the tank’s performance under extreme conditions.
General Dwivedi emphasized that while the tests have been largely successful, the Army has recommended additional improvements and modifications. These suggestions stem from the experiences and data gathered during the trials, aiming to enhance the tank’s capabilities for high-altitude combat scenarios, particularly in regions like Ladakh.
“The Zorawar light tank has shown promising results, but there’s always room for refinement,” General Dwivedi noted. “Based on our field evaluations, we’ve identified several areas where the tank can be further optimized to meet our strategic requirements more effectively.”
The modifications include tweaks to the tank’s mobility, firepower, and survivability. The focus is on making the Zorawar not only suitable for the harsh, high-altitude environments but also versatile enough to handle a broader spectrum of threats.
Following these recommendations, the Zorawar light tank will be dispatched to Chennai for the necessary modifications. Chennai, known for its significant defense manufacturing capabilities, will host the team tasked with implementing these changes. “We expect the tank to return to Chennai in the near future to undergo these enhancements,” General Dwivedi stated, highlighting the city’s role in the project’s progression.
Post-modification, the Army plans to conduct further trials in 2025 and 2026. These subsequent tests will be crucial in validating the improvements made and ensuring that the tank is battle-ready for integration into the Indian Army’s arsenal. The trials will likely encompass a range of conditions, from varying altitudes to different climatic challenges, to guarantee the tank’s adaptability and reliability.