SOURCE: AFI
India’s upcoming Zorawar Light Tank is gearing up for battle with a potent armament system, including a new Cannon-Launched Laser Guided Missile (CLGM) and the ability to fire Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) directly from its main gun.
Following the Indian Army’s mandate for light tanks to fire ATGMs, the Zorawar will be equipped with the indigenously developed SAMHO missile (also known as Semi-Active Mission Homing). Successfully tested on Arjun Mk1 tanks, SAMHO is a versatile anti-armor weapon, effective against enemy tanks and low-flying helicopters at ranges exceeding 5 kilometers.
The existing SAMHO variant was designed for the larger caliber guns of the Arjun and T-90 tanks. To integrate SAMHO with the Zorawar’s 105mm rifled gun, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a new, compatible variant.
The Zorawar’s firepower extends beyond SAMHO. The light tank will also be capable of firing the well-regarded Russian INVAR (3 UBK 20) ATGM, further enhancing its ability to take on armored threats.
The combination of CLGMs, ATGMs, and a 105mm main gun equips the Zorawar Light Tank for a variety of battlefield scenarios. This diverse armament system makes the Zorawar a potent force multiplier for the Indian Army, particularly in regions where maneuverability and swift action are crucial.