DRDO’s Zorawar Light Tank Enters Development Trials, Expected Handover to Indian Army by April

DRDO's Zorawar Light Tank Enters Development Trials, Expected Handover to Indian Army by April

VoM News Desk | January 12, 2024 | 10:33 PM IST | Breaking News, Security | Follow on Google News

DRDO’s Zorawar Light Tank Enters Development Trials, Expected Handover to Indian Army by April/ANI

DRDO’s Zorawar Light Tank Enters Development Trials, Expected Handover to Indian Army by April

The development trials of the Zorawar light tank, undertaken by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), have commenced. The tank, equipped with a new engine, has covered over 100 kilometers during the trials at the development cum production partner’s facilities. It is anticipated that the tank will be handed over to the Indian Army for further testing by April this year.

Initially, the delivery of the Zorawar light tank to the Indian Army was scheduled for December. However, delays in engine supply from Germany have pushed the timeline back. The Army has placed orders for 59 Zorawar light tanks, produced in collaboration with Larsen and Toubro.

The Zorawar light tank project aims to enhance the Indian Army’s mobility and maneuvering capabilities in the Ladakh sector, where the Chinese military has deployed light tanks in significant numbers. To address similar threats, the Indian Army is also conducting a competition for the procurement of an additional 295 light tanks under a separate program. Six to seven firms are participating in this competition.

This initiative, supported by the Indian Army, aligns with the country’s Make in India initiative, promoting the indigenous production of advanced weapon systems. The DRDO, in collaboration with L&T, is developing the 25-tonne Zorawar light tank, designed to navigate efficiently in the challenging high mountainous terrain of Ladakh. The project received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council to strengthen India’s defense capabilities.

VoM News Desk

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