SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s indigenous defense capabilities are set to take another leap forward as the Zorawar light tank, a collaborative triumph between Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), prepares for critical field firing tests in the Rajasthan desert later this month.
Following successful high-altitude trials in Ladakh in December 2024, these upcoming tests will evaluate the tank’s 105 mm gun performance under extreme heat, marking a key milestone toward its potential induction into the Indian Army by 2027. The Zorawar, designed for agility and firepower in challenging terrains, underscores India’s push for self-reliance in countering regional threats, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
In December 2024, the Zorawar prototype underwent high-altitude trials in Nyoma, Ladakh, at altitudes exceeding 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). Airlifted by the Indian Air Force to demonstrate rapid deployment, the tank achieved consistent accuracy in multiple firing tests, proving its mobility, resilience, and firepower in thin air and sub-zero temperatures. These trials addressed lessons from the 2020-2022 India-China skirmishes, which exposed the limitations of heavier main battle tanks in mountainous terrain.
The Rajasthan trials are a precursor to user trials by the Indian Army, expected to begin in June 2025 and last 12 to 18 months. These will test the Zorawar across summer, winter, and high-altitude conditions to ensure operational readiness. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has lauded the project as a milestone in India’s self-reliance, emphasizing its role in enhancing mobility and strategic capabilities along the LAC, where tensions with China persist despite partial disengagement agreements in 2024.
Full-scale production at L&T’s Hazira facility is slated to follow successful trials, with induction targeted for 2027. The Army’s rigorous evaluation will scrutinize not just firepower but also logistics, crew comfort, and integration with mechanized forces, ensuring the tank meets the General Staff Qualitative Requirements for a 30-year service life.
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