The first indigenously designed and developed light tank that will be capable of operating at high altitudes to counter Chinese armoured deployments is likely to be ready for trials by this month end.
The Indian tank is tentatively named Zorawar by the Indian Army.
Worth mentioning that the light tank has been developed in record time.
Further, it will now undergo a series of trials in December as work on the prototype is nearing completion.
The need for a light tank – in the 25 tonne category – was felt after tensions built up in eastern Ladakh in 2020 and China deployed light armour at high altitude locations.
Besides, it will have more mobility and higher accuracy fire power than the Chinese Type 15 tanks deployed on the Ladakh border.
The brand new tank, which features a 105 mm gun, was approved for development in April 2022 with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) choosing Larsen and Toubro (L&T) as its partner for the project.
Noteworthy, the tank, weighing 25 tonnes, has been specifically designed for superior mobility at extreme altitudes.
The new light tank will be capable of operating in various terrains, from high-altitude areas to island territories, and will be air transportable for rapid deployment.
The upcoming trial phase will provide valuable insights into the tank’s performance, paving the way for its future deployment by the Indian Army.
