DRDO and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) are in the final stages of testing the indigenous Light Tank Zorawar, marking a significant advancement for Indian forces stationed across from China in Ladakh.
DRDO head Dr. Samir V Kamat recently assessed the project’s development status at L&T’s facility in Hajira, Gujarat.
#WATCH | Exclusive footage of the light tank Zorawar developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen and Toubro. The tank project being developed for the Indian Army was reviewed by DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat in Hazira, Gujarat today. The tank has been developed by the DRDO to meet the… pic.twitter.com/bkJHdWkoWo
— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024
Developed within a remarkably short span of two years specifically for deployment in high-altitude regions like Ladakh, the Light Tank Zorawar stands as a testament to India’s strides in indigenous manufacturing.
The collaboration between DRDO and L&T has incorporated Unmanned Systems Vehicles (USVs) into the tank, drawing lessons from conflicts like those in Russia and Ukraine.
Weighing 25 tonnes, the Zorawar is the first new tank to undergo design and readiness for trials in such an expedited timeframe.
Initially, 59 of these tanks will be supplied to the Army, with plans for an additional 295 armored vehicles as part of a larger program. The tank’s lightweight design enables transport of two units per C-17 class aircraft by the Indian Air Force, suitable for high-speed maneuvers in mountainous terrain.
Trials are anticipated to conclude within the next 12-18 months, paving the way for induction.
While initial ammunition is sourced from Belgium, DRDO is prepared to develop indigenous ammunition moving forward.
