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Zorawar (tank)

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The Zorawar is a light tank developed for the Indian Army. The tank is designed and developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation with Larsen & Toubro being the development and production partner.[11]

Zorawar
Zorawar Light tank developed by DRDO and L&T
TypeLight tank
Place of originIndia
Service history
Used byIndian Army (ordered)
Production history
DesignerCombat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (DRDO)
Larsen & Toubro
Designed2022-2024
ManufacturerLarsen & Toubro
Produced2024
No. built1 prototype [1]
Specifications
Mass25 tonnes
Crew3
Main
armament
Cockerill 105 mm high-pressure rifled gun in customized Cockerill 3105 Turret[2][3]
Secondary
armament
1 × co-axial 7.62 mm anti-air machine gun with BEL RCWS
1 × twin side mounted ATGM launcher
16 × 81mm Anti-thermal Anti-laser smoke grenade.[4][5]
EngineCummins VTA903E-T760; 760 hp diesel engine[6][7][8]
Power/weight30-40 hp/tonne[9]
Maximum speed 70 km/h (43 mph)
35–40 km/h (22–25 mph) cross country[10]

The Zorawar has been designed to have a high power-to-weight ratio along with substantial firepower, protection, surveillance and communication capabilities. The Zorawar is tasked to provide versatility to execute operations in varying terrain against diverse threats and equipment profiles of its adversaries.[12] The tank is named for the 19th century Dogra General Zorawar Singh.[13]

Background

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Former light tanks of India

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The Indian Army has a history of using light tanks in the mountainous terrains during combat situations. The Stuart and Sherman tanks of the 254th Indian Tank Brigade were used during the Battle of Kohima in 1944. In Indo-Pakistan War of 1948, the same tanks pushed back Pakistan forces in the Zoji La. In 1962 Sino-Indian War, the Army deployed French-origin AMX-13 tanks in the Battle of Gurung Hill near Pangong Tso and also in Bomdila and Dirang in Arunachal Pradesh. Again in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, the AMX-13 and Soviet PT-76 tanks were deployed during the Battle of Garibpur.[3][14][15]

However, the Indian Army did not operate any light tank after the AMX-13 and PT-76 was retired from active service by 1989 and subsequently the PT-76 from reserved status in 2009.[16][17]

India had taken several programmes since 1982 to develop an indigenous light tank to replace ageing light tanks. But the programmes failed.[17][15]

The Ministry of Defence also issued a Request for Information (RFI) in 2009 for the requirement of 200 wheeled and 100 tracked light tanks. But this did not yield results.[18]

Challenges at high altitudes

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India's armoured inventory consists of main battle tanks like the T-72, T-90, Arjun Mk1 and Arjun Mk1A which weighs within the range 43–68 t (95,000–150,000 lb) and has a lower power to weight ratio which is unsuitable for deployment in high-altitude regions like Ladakh. By 2021, the Indian Army had deployed a squadron of 12 T-90 tanks as well as a K9 Vajra-T-equipped regiment during the conflict.[19][20] By 2023, over 90 tanks and 330 BMP-2s were deployed to the region.[21] But the rarefied air, lower air pressure reduces the effectiveness of conventional armoured fighting vehicles (like MBT, IFV or Self-propelled Howitzer) in such regions which face logistical and operational challenges. Such deployments required design changes and additional logistics pressures. In fact, the vehicles needed to switch on engine for up to 30 minutes every two to three hours to prevent engine freezing.[17][22]

Armoured vehicle require specific design modifications to operate at such regions. Such operationa demands could e easily fulfilled by light tanks. The PLAGF had deployed their Type 15 light tanks in the Ladakh region during the standoff for the reason.[23][24]

The lack of an equivalent light tank led the Indian Army to initiate a new Indian Light Tank programme which resulted in Project Zorawar.[17][25]

Namesake

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The project is named after General Zorawar Singh Kahluria, who led the 1841 Military Expedition to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar during the Dogra–Tibetan War.[15][23]

Design

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A Cockerill 105 mm HP Gun made by Belgian company John Cockerill

Zorawar is a 3-crew, 25-tonne light tank with amphibious capabilities. The tank will have a high power-to-weight ratio and can be transported by air, rail or road. The light tank has superior firepower, protection, surveillance and communication capabilities. The tank is designed to destroy armoured vehicles, low-flying helicopters, and bunkers.[26]

The tank will be equipped with artificial intelligence, surveillance drones for enhanced situational awareness as well as loitering munitions. The tank has active protection system as a shield against modern anti-armour weaponry along with add-on modular armor blocks.[14][15]

Armament

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Zorawar is to be equipped with a 105 mm calibre gun turret procured from John Cockerill of Belgium.[3]

The tank is also equipped with autoloader and a remote-controlled 7.62mm calibre machine gun. The tank can launch anti-tank guided missiles from the main gun as well as a twin side-mounted launcher on the left side.[8][27]

It also features two Safran Paseo electro-optical systems for hunter-killer capabilities, thermal imaging and laser rangefinders.[8][27]

Engine

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The Zorawar tank prototype utilises a Cummins VTA903E-T760 engine which generates a power output of 760 hp (570 kW).[6][7][8]

When sanctioned in April 2023, Zorawar wa supposed to be powered by an 800 hp engine supplied by the German firm MTU, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce.[3][17]

However, MTU could not deliver the engine until November 2023 though the engine was ready to be delibered by October 2022 due to tough German export control regime. Following this, the developers switched to the American-origin Cummins engine. Larsen & Toubro purchased an engine directly from Cummins. The government also plans to ask engine manufacturer to set up an assembly or production line in India if the engine is chosen to power the production variant of the 354 tanks.[6]

Reports in July 2024 also suggested that Rolls-Royce has delivered MTU 8V199 engine for the light tank project. The DRDO is also working on a project to develop an indigenous engine for production. DRDO is also developing an in-house engine alternative for use on the tank.[28][29]

Development

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In August 2020, Russia offered 2S25 Sprut-SD light tanks to the Indian Army which was being evaluated. Indian Army also observed the performance of the tank during trials in June 2021.[30][31][32]

Meanwhile, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was in talks with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in 2020 and 2021 to develop a light tank version of the K9 Vajra-T howitzers which would weigh around 30 t (66,000 lb).[33]

On 23 April 2021, the Ministry of Defence issued a Request for Information (RFI) to the industry for the requirement of 350 light tanks weighing about 25 t (55,000 lb) each. The tanks were required to be equipped for anti-armour, anti-air and anti-ground roles. The tanks were also required to be air transportable.[34][24]

On 3 March 2022, the Government gave in-principle approval for indigenous design and development of the Indian Light Tank for mountain warfare. The procurement is to be done under the 'Make-I' acquisition (Government-funded) category of the Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020, in line with the "Make in India" initiative.[35][36][32]

In September 2022, the Army finalised the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQR) and approached the Ministry of Defence for the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN).[37][38] It was also confirmed that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been selected as the development partner of the Indian Light Tank which is to be rolled out by 2023.[39]

On 18 October 2022, the concept of the tank was unveiled during DefExpo 2022.[40][26]

The project cost that was sanctioned stood at ₹234.5 crore (US$27 million). The project cost included the design and development of the tank and realisation of one prototype. The project included Larsen & Toubro as the lead systems integrator and several MSMEs.[41]

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) received the order to build the prototype in April 2023. The development will include the expertise gained from the development of DRDO Light Tank and L&T's K9 Thunder production. The initial speculation of using the K9 chassis for the tank was negated out as that would increase the weight to at least 34 tonnes against the requirement of 25 tonnes.[3]

As per reports in April 2023, inspite of the fact that the Army will initially procure of 354 units, the numbers may increase to 700 units in later stages.[42]

The Russo-Ukrainian War has reportedly caused supply chain chokepoints for defense components, specifically electrical, electronic, and engine components, delaying projects, according to an August 2023 report by The New Indian Express.[43]

In November 2023, it was reported that the prototype is in the final stages of manufacturing at L&T’s Heavy Engineering Plant at Hazira, Gujarat and was expected to begin track trials by year-end. Then, the Army and DRDO would decide whether to procede with the following desert trails and winter trials in Ladakh.[6]

On 7 July 2024, the first prototype of the tank was officially unveiled at Hazira Manufacturing Division of Larsen & Toubro. The roll out was done within 19 months of sanctioning the project. By then, the track trials were completed and certain design changes were made as per suggestions. The tank would now go for desert trials with the Army, followed by high-altitude trials in Ladakh. As per the current timeline, the tank will be inducted by 2027.[14][44] The realisation of the first prototype was also revealed to the Parliament by the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on 26 July 2024.[41]

Trials

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Zorawar LT firing main gun during preliminary automotive trials

In January 2024, developmental or track trials of the tank prototypes began in Hazira, Gujarat, at the L&T facility where the prototypes were built. It is expected that the prototypes will be handed over to the Army by April 2024.[45]

On September 13, 2024, DRDO successfully completed the Zorawar LT's preliminary automotive trials at Mahajan Field Firing Range near Bikaner.[46] In the desert terrain during the field trials, the light tank performed exceptionally well, effectively achieving all of the targeted goals. During the first phase, the tank met the necessary accuracy on pre-designated targets after undergoing a thorough evaluation of its firing performance.[47] According to the sources, the most important factor for a tank is precision, also known as FRHP (First Round Hit Probability) in technical parlance because it is necessary to hit the adversary first in modern warfare.[48][49] The September trials was termed as the Phase 1 or Desert Trials of Zorawar.[11]

As per a report in October 2024, the next trials shall include missile firing. The developmental trials would be concluded by January 2025 after which the tank will be handed over to the Army for user trials. The user trials will take 12 to 18 months as the Army will test the tank's performance in summer, winter and high-altitude conditions. DRDO maintains that the tank will be inducted by 2027.[50]

 
Zorawar LT was airlifted by Indian Air Force for high altitude trials

As of December 2024, the prototype is undergoing high-altitude trials in Nyoma, Ladakh at altitudes of over 4,200 m (13,800 ft). The tank successfully fired multiple rounds during the trials. The trials are being conducted under the criteria of its firepower, mobility and protection. The tank is also aimed to be amphibious for deployment in riverine regions, including the Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. The tank was airlifted to the high-altitude location by the Indian Air Force.[51][52]

The user trials of Zorawar tank by the Army will start in 2025.[53]

Orders

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By April 2023, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has also approved seven light tank regiments. Of this one regiment is to be delivered by Larsen & Toubro and the rest from another firm through competitive bidding process.[3]

An initial order for 59 tanks has been placed, which will be produced by Larsen & Toubro. The Indian Army will also be holding a competition for buying 295 light tanks, in which the Zorawar tank will take part in.[45][23] According to reports that emerged in May 2024, Bharat Forge is also developing a light tank under 25 tonnes to compete with L&T's Zorawar Tank in the Army's light tank programme.[54]

The purchase for a total of 354 tanks is expected to cost ₹17,500 crore (US$2.0 billion). The first batch of 59 batch is "reserved" for DRDO which includes L&T as the lead systems integrator. The rest of 295 tanks will be ordered and manufactured under Make-1 government funded category after a tendering process which will include L&T.[55]

As per a report in November 2024, the user trials by the Army in 2025 is to be followed by selection of 2 private companies for their prototype development based on Zorawar under the Futuristic Light Tank programme. Eventually, one of the designs will be selected for mass production after competitive trials.[53]

Operators

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Future operators

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See also

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Contemporary competitors

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Historical Indian light tanks

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AFVs with similar firepower

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References

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  2. ^ "India's 'Zorawar' Light Tank, Designed For Operations On China Border, To Be Ready This Month For Trials In December". Retrieved 26 June 2024.
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  4. ^ "Battlefield Protection System" (PDF). Defence Research and Development Organisation. Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  5. ^ "81 mm Anti-thermal Anti-laser (AT-AL) Smoke Grenade". Defence Research and Development Organisation. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
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