India's Zorawar light tank fires for the first time; key tests ahead | Latest News India

“During the field trials conducted in the desert, the light tank showed exceptional performance and efficiently met all the intended objectives. During the initial phase, the firing performance of the tank was rigorously evaluated and it achieved the required accuracy on designated targets,” the DRDO said in a statement.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the development as a significant step towards India's goal of achieving self-sufficiency in critical defence systems and technologies.

The tank was jointly developed by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro under Project Zorawar to meet the Indian Army's requirement of 354 light tanks. It was developed from scratch within two years. DRDO chief Samir V Kamat inspected the first prototype of the tank at its launch at L&T's Hazira plant in Gujarat on July 6.

“The tank's 105mm gun fired smoothly. The next tests will include missile firing. DRDO is expected to complete various tests by January 2025 before offering the tank to the Army for extensive user testing,” said a senior official overseeing the project who wished to remain anonymous.

Field testing could take 12 to 18 months as the Army will test the tank's performance in summer, winter and high altitudes before it can go into production, said a second official, who also asked not to be identified.

“Numerous Indian industries, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), have contributed in the development of various subsystems, thereby demonstrating indigenous capabilities in defence manufacturing,” DRDO said.

It was added that the extremely versatile platform can also be used in high altitude areas.

The tank is expected to be operational in 2027 and will strengthen the army's position against Chinese forces along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The Chinese People's Liberation Army has inducted and deployed several modern tanks along the LAC, including light tanks with a high power-to-weight ratio. The military conflict between India and China in Eastern Ladakh has been going on for five years now, and there is no resolution in sight to the lingering issues, although India hopes that ongoing negotiations with its neighbour will help restore the status quo ante of April 2020.

The Indian Army has dozens of heavier Russian-made T-72 and T-90 tanks stationed in Ladakh, but these have their own limitations as they were designed for operations in plains and deserts. The need for light tanks with adequate firepower, protection, surveillance and communications capabilities became clear after the border dispute began.

The new capacity costs approx. ₹17,500 crores.

The light tank is air-transportable, suitable for amphibious operations, can fire from high elevation angles and assume the role of limited artillery.

It was named after the legendary General Zorawar Singh, who led the Dogra forces to victories in Ladakh and Tibet six times between 1834 and 1841. In May 1841, he led a 5,000-strong Dogra force into Tibet, overran the Chinese forces within weeks and captured their Mantalai flag.

In December 2022, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Singh, announced its Acceptance of Need (AoN) for defence projects worth ₹84,328 crore to strengthen the fighting potential of the armed forces with new military equipment, including the light tanks. As per India's defence procurement rules, the Council's AoN is the first step towards purchasing military equipment.

On 3 September 2024, the DAC gave its approval to the procurement of military hardware worth ₹1.45 lakh crore, including Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs). The Army plans to induct 1,770 FRCVs – the platform will be a futuristic main battle tank – to upgrade the Armoured Corps at a cost of around ₹45,000 crores.