SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move to bolster its armored capabilities, India’s Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd (AVNL) has announced plans to form a joint venture (JV) with Russian firms Rosoboronexport (ROE) and High Precision Systems (HPC). This partnership is aimed at the development and manufacture of an Indian Light Tank, targeting the Indian Army’s requirement for 295 light tanks under the Make-I category of indigenous procurement.
AVNL, along with India Optel Limited (IOL), will hold a majority stake in the joint venture, ensuring that Indian stakeholders maintain significant control over the project. This collaboration will leverage Russian expertise in light tank development, particularly the Sprut-SD design, to compete against indigenous solutions such as the Zorawar Light Tank, which is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with private industry.
The introduction of the JV’s light tank will directly compete with the Zorawar Light Tank, developed jointly by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The Zorawar is a homegrown solution designed to address similar operational needs, and the Indian Army has already committed to procuring 59 units of this tank following the completion of user trials by 2027.
The Zorawar Light Tank emphasizes modularity and indigenous systems, and its procurement aligns with India’s broader push for reducing dependency on foreign defense equipment. However, with the addition of the Sprut-SD-inspired design into the mix, the Army will face a crucial decision between expanding its existing investment in the Zorawar program or diversifying its light tank fleet.
While the Indian Army has demonstrated a strong inclination toward indigenous platforms like the Zorawar, the introduction of an alternative design, backed by Russian expertise, could create pressure to diversify procurement plans. Critics argue that maintaining multiple light tank platforms might complicate logistics, maintenance, and training.
The Indian Army’s requirement for light tanks stems from the need to counter emerging threats in high-altitude and rugged terrains, particularly along the northern borders. The procurement of 295 light tanks will provide the Army with a fleet capable of rapid deployment, high mobility, and effective firepower in areas where heavier main battle tanks face operational constraints.
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