Indian tanks in Ladakh. (Representational photo)
New Delhi: The Indian Army is looking forward to inducting the indigenously designed and developed light tank, which is named “Zorawar”. This is keeping in view the ongoing border tension with China in high-altitude areas of eastern Ladakh over last two years. The Army felt the need to induct light tanks to, which are better suited for the terrain and altitude along the line of actual control in Ladakh.
The Zorawar, which means “brave and strong” in Punjabi, has been designed to operate in various types of terrain, including high-altitude areas, the marginal terrain, and island territories. Being lightweight, the Zorowar can be quickly transported by air, land, and railway for rapid deployment to meet any urgent operational requirement.
Already, India’s two main adversaries, China and Pakistan, have inducted a large number of technologically advanced state-of-the-art medium and light tanks with high power-to-weight ratios. The Army foresees the increased threat on India’s northern borders will be there for a long time.
The Zorawar weighs around 25 tonnes, will have niche technologies, including artificial intelligence, drone integration, active protection system, high degree of situational awareness. It will also have missile systems and other weaponry systems, including main guns.
The Armys expect that the defence ministry would accord acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the light tank. The AoN clears the way for the tendering process to start. However, the defence ministry has already given an in-principle approval and the domestic defence industry is working on it as per the Army’s requirements.
The need for light tanks was felt when the Chinese troops made advances towards north of eastern Ladakh’s Pangong-tso (Pangong lake) in 2020, which Indian troops patrolled unhindered before that. As a countermove, the Army, in a stealth operation occupied some heights on the Kailash Range at south Pangong-tso and also moved and positioned its T-72 and T-90 tanks there.
India then used this as a bargaining chip, which forced the Chinese troops to withdraw back from the area in return for Indian troops vacating the heights. However, Chinese troops continue to occupy territories in other parts of eastern Ladakh that India claims at its own.
The T-72 and T-90 tanks the Army has in Ladakh are mainly meant for deployment in plains and deserts and have its limitations in high-altitude areas.
The future tanks, including the Zorawar, will replace the existing ones. The first prototype of the Zorawar is expected in 2030.
