India's Indigenous Zorawar Light Tank Successfully Completes First Phase Field Firing Trials

New Delhi, India- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone with successful completion of first phase of developmental field firing trials for India’s indigenous Light Tank, Zorawar. Conducted on September 13, 2024, trials were hailed as a step forward in India’s defence of self-reliance. tests carried out in desert terrain, demonstrated tank’s exceptional performance and accuracy, meeting all required objectives.  

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Defence, Guwahati, stated, "DRDO successfully conducted developmental field trials of Indian Light Tank, Zorawar. collaboration with Indian industry aids in growth of domestic manufacturing ecosystem." tank is designed by Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), a DRDO unit, in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), with multiple Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributing various sub-systems.  

Performance and Capability: Zorawar's Key Features  

Light Tank Zorawar, weighing 25 tonnes, has been developed to operate effectively in high-altitude areas, making it versatile for deployment in challenging terrains such as mountain valleys. tank’s firing capabilities were tested rigorously during trials, and it achieved desired accuracy on designated targets, as confirmed by a press release from Ministry of Defence.  

platform is particularly suited for India’s mountainous border regions, where heavier conventional tanks may face operational challenges. "Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on September 13, 2024, successfully conducted preliminary automotive trials of Indian Light Tank, Zorawar, a highly versatile platform capable of deployment in high-altitude areas," re statement from Ministry of Defence. successful trials underline indigenous strength of Indian defence manufacturing, with Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh describing it as a "significant milestone" in country's journey towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies.

Zorawar tank has been specifically designed to incorporate vanced technologies learned from global conflicts, such as ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. It includes unique features like Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) and loitering munitions, making it a highly modern and efficient platform.  

Furrmore, Zorawar’s design allows for logistical flexibility, with two tanks being transportable by Indian Air Force’s C-17 aircraft, making rapid deployment possible in remote or high-altitude areas. Initially, 59 Zorawar tanks will be supplied to Indian Army.  

Challenges of High-Altitude Operations  

Deploying military platforms in high-altitude regions like Lakh, Siachen, and Galwan Valley has always posed significant challenges. Conventional military assets, such as Main Battle Tanks (MBT), infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), and self-propelled artillery, often struggle in se environments due to factors such as rarefied air and low oxygen levels. This affects power generation required for effective manoeuvrability, ding furr complications to logistics.  

India’s experience with K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers deployed in Lakh highlighted need for special modifications to make such platforms function effectively in extreme altitudes. Similarly, during skirmishes with China in 2020-2021, India found that its conventional tanks were at a disvantage against Chinese 15 tanks, which were specifically designed for high-altitude warfare.

need for light tanks in high-altitude areas was underscored during 2020-2021 skirmishes with China in Galwan Valley. Indian Army observed deployment of China’s 15 tanks, which possess significant vantages in such environments. development of Zorawar is a direct response to this strategic requirement, ensuring that India’s armed forces are not outmatched in high-altitude scenarios.  

Strengning India's Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem  

Zorawar’s development represents a major leap in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, with contributions from multiple domestic industries, including MSMEs. collaboration between DRDO, L&T, and various industry stakeholders highlights growing strength of India’s indigenous manufacturing ecosystem.  

Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh lauded efforts of DRDO, Indian Army, and industry partners for successful trials, emphasizing that it marks a crucial step in India's goal of achieving self-reliance in defence technologies. Zorawar tank, once fully operational, will provide a strategic edge in mountainous and high-altitude atres, which are critical in current geopolitical landscape.