Lightweight Firepower

Atul Chandra

The Indian Army has historically used light tanks such as the French AMX 13 and Russian PT-76 to great effect in wars of the past. Today, it operates a huge fleet of Main Battle Tanks (MBT) in its Russian-origin T-90 and T-72, with an authorised holding of 3,700 MBTs (though its actual numbers are much less). However, in the high-altitude and rarified air of the Himalayas, Indian armoured formations require a light tank that can be deployed quickly, adding to the firepower of troops on the ground.

The T-90 MBT will continue to remain the Indian Army’s main MBT for warfare in the plains

The army’s present crop of MBTs also faces challenges associated with the elevation and depression of their main guns, which are insufficient for operations in high-altitude areas. As a result, the Indian Army will soon look to induct a third type of tank, that will add more firepower to its armoured formations in high-altitude areas.

The indigenously developed light tank is slated to have a combat weight not exceeding 25 tonnes and as a result, will be easier to transport by military transport aircraft. As compared to the new light tank, a T-72 MBT weighs 42 tonnes.

New Approach

By domestic standards, the development of the Zorawar light tank has progressed quickly and user trials with the Indian Army are planned to start in April, according to various media reports. The light tank is being developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with industry giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The present requirement is for 350 light tanks, though this number could increase in the future. An initial order for 59 light tanks has also been given, though series production examples could be manufactured by a company other than L&T.

Since the DRDO lab, Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), has decades of experience with the Arjun MBT and L&T has been involved in the license production of the Hanwha K-9 Thunder Self-Propelled Gun (SPG), the development of the Zorawar light tank should ideally be completed on budget and on schedule.

The indigenously developed Zorawar light tank is being primarily developed for use in India’s Himalayan and North-Eastern frontiers. However, these two operational areas feature vastly different requirements. The