India’s Defence Research and Development Organization has begun developmental trials of an indigenous light tank.
Following the trials, the 25-ton Zorawar tank’s first prototype will be handed over to the Indian Army for user trials in April, the Asian News International revealed, citing sources.
“Work on the light tank with its new engine has begun at the facilities of our development/production partner,” the outlet quoted a source as saying.
“By April of this year, the tank is anticipated to be handed over to the Indian Army after being towed for more than 100 kilometers (62 miles).”
Light Tank Project
Subsequently, a total of 59 tanks will be produced by the private vendor Larsen & Toubro, the project’s co-developer.
The army intends to eventually procure a total of 355 tanks — including 40-odd platforms in reserve — to arm seven planned light tank regiments, The Wire wrote, citing the Indian Ministry of Defence’s acceptance of necessity in 2021.
For Border Deployment
The Indian government approved the project in 2022 to improve the army’s mobility and maneuverability in the mountainous Ladakh sector, where the service has been in a standoff with the Chinese Army since 2020.
China has deployed 30-ton ZTQ105/Type 15 light tanks along the border with India in the Ladakh sector.
Features
The AI-enabled amphibious platform reportedly features an active protection system and is integrated with tactical drones for situational awareness and loitering munition capability.
It is powered by a 1,000 hp advanced combat engine from Cummins and is armed with a 105mm gun from Belgium-based multinational armament firm John Cockerill.
Once inducted, this will be the fourth tank in the Indian army, which fields 3,500-odd license-built Russian T72M1 and domestically assembled T90S platforms.
A total of 124 indigenous Arjun Mk1s are also operational in the Indian Army, while an additional 118 are being ordered.
