Indigenous Light Tank Zorawar

Why in the news?

Indigenous light tank Zorawar for the Indian Army is undergoing testing in high altitude areas in Ladakh.

Key Points

The firepower test of the Zorawar tank was successful and is expected to be completed by the end of December 2024.
This test is going on in Nyoma, Ladakh.
In this, the firepower, mobility and protection of the tank is being tested.
After the completion of the test, it will be given to the Indian Army for trials in the year 2025.
This tank is part of the order of 59 tanks given to DRDO and its private sector development and production partner.

It is an indigenously designed and developed light tank.
It has been developed for the high altitude areas of Ladakh.
It is named after a military general Zorawar Singh Kahluria.
It has been developed by the Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Limited.
- CVRDE is a unit of the Defense Research and Development Organization
Its maximum weight is 25 tonnes.
This tank will be able to attack even at high altitudes and will be able to play a limited artillery role.
It has been designed for operations in various terrains ranging from high altitude areas and border areas to island territories.
This tank can move quickly in high mountain areas.
It also has a special protection system.
- This system protects the tank from anti-tank guided missiles and projectiles.
The army wants Zorawar to be able to move in water as well.
- This will enable it to be deployed in riverine areas.
- This also includes Pangong Tso Lake in eastern Ladakh.
It will be equipped with all modern technologies like artificial intelligence, drone integration and amphibious operation capability
After all the tests, it is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army by the year 2027
Zorawar has been designed to counter Chinese deployment
India has built this tank in response to the deployment of light tanks by China.
It will increase the mobility of the Indian Army.
Being developed under Make in India, it will also boost the country's defense production.