In a major boost for Indian forces deployed opposite China in Ladakh, the Defence Research and Development Organisation tested out its indigenous Light Tank Zorawar on Saturday. The tank has been jointly developed by DRDO and private sector firm Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and the project is at the final stages of testing.
DRDO Chief Dr Samir V Kamat conducted a thorough review of the project’s progress at the Larsen and Toubro plant in Hajira, Gujarat.
As per the DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamath, the Zorawar tank is expected to be commissioned into the Indian Army by 2027 following the completion of all trials.
Developed within a two-year span specifically for high-altitude regions like Ladakh, the tank exemplifies India’s strides in indigenous manufacturing.
The collaboration between DRDO and L&T has incorporated Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) into the tank’s loitering munitions, drawing insights from the conflict dynamics observed in Russia and Ukraine.
Weighing 25 tonnes, the Zorawar light tank represents the first instance of designing and preparing a new tank for trials within an exceptionally brief period. Initially, 59 of these tanks will be supplied to the Army, positioning it as a frontrunner for a larger program encompassing an additional 295 armored vehicles.
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