SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively developing a new Gun-Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile (GLATGM) designed specifically for the 105mm rifled cannon of the Zorawar Light Tank. This development marks a significant step in enhancing the lethality and versatility of the indigenous light tank platform, which is being co-developed by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for high-altitude operations.
The Zorawar Light Tank, currently undergoing developmental trials, is designed to provide mobile firepower in difficult terrain such as the Himalayan regions of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. The tank will feature a new Indian-made 105mm high-pressure cannon, replacing the Belgian Cockerill 105mm cannon used in the first prototype. DRDO’s development of a compatible ATGM aims to expand the tank’s firepower beyond conventional rounds, enabling it to engage and destroy armored targets at extended ranges.
The new missile will be designed to be launched directly from the 105mm cannon, similar to the Israeli LAHAT and Russian 9M119 Refleks systems, allowing the crew to engage heavily armored targets without exposing the tank. The ATGM is expected to have:
- Range: Approximately 4 to 5 kilometers
- Guidance: Likely to feature semi-active laser homing or imaging infrared (IIR) guidance
- Warhead: Tandem-charge HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) capable of defeating Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA)
- Fire Control Integration: Seamless compatibility with the tank’s Fire Control System (FCS) for improved first-hit probability
The missile will be developed with India’s diverse operational environments in mind, offering precision strike capability in both plains and mountainous terrain. The use of a gun-launched ATGM reduces logistical burden by using the existing gun barrel as a launch tube, eliminating the need for external missile launchers.
The development of a domestically produced gun-fired ATGM gives the Zorawar Light Tank a critical edge over comparable platforms in the region. It also reduces dependence on imported missile systems and strengthens India’s defence industrial base. With China fielding light tanks such as the Type 15 in the Tibet region, the Zorawar Light Tank equipped with a gun-launched ATGM provides a credible deterrent and parity in high-altitude engagements.
DRDO officials have not specified a timeline for the ATGM’s development, but it is expected to align with the ongoing trials of the Zorawar Light Tank. Integration trials of the missile system with the new indigenous cannon could begin in the next phase of testing, with user trials possibly commencing in 2026.
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