Zorawar LT explained

Zorawar
Type:Light tank
Is Vehicle:yes
Origin:India
Used By:Indian Army (ordered)
Designer:Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (DRDO)
Larsen & Toubro
Design Date:2022-2024
Manufacturer:Larsen & Toubro
Production Date:2024
Number:1 prototype [1]
Crew:3
Weight:25 tonnes
Engine:MTU 8V 199 TE21; 816 hp (600 kW) liquid-cooled turbocharged diesel engine[2] [3] Alternatively, Cummins VTA903E-T760; 760 hp diesel engine[4] [5] [6]
Speed:70km/h
NaNkm/h cross country[7]
Pw Ratio:30-40 hp/tonne[8]
Is Uk:yes
Primary Armament:Cockerill 105 mm high-pressure rifled gun in customized Cockerill 3105 Turret[9] [10]
Secondary Armament:1 × NSV 12.7mm AA MG on BEL RCWS
2 × side mounted ATGM
16 × 81mm AT-AL smoke grenades.[11]

The Zorawar is an Indian light tank design. It is designed to have a high power-to-weight ratio along with substantial firepower, protection, surveillance and communication capabilities. The Zorawar was designed to provide the Indian Army with the versatility to execute operations in varying terrain against diverse threats and equipment profiles of its adversaries.[12]

The tank is named for the 19th century Dogra General Zorawar Singh.[13]

Background

Light tanks received renewed focus and interest in the late 2010s and early 2020s, primarily due to flaring security situations in remote and inaccessible areas (2020-2022 India China skirmishes). In the extreme high altitudes of the Ladakh region, it is very difficult to operate main battle tanks like the T-72, T-90, Arjun Mk1 and Arjun Mk2, which were neither built nor equipped to handle the harsh conditions.[14]

Challenges at high altitudes

There are challenges in operating at high altitudes. Conventional military platforms like main battle tanks (MBT), infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), self propelled artillery etc. are not always able to generate enough power to maneuver, due to rarefied air and lack of oxygen, or, face other logistical and operational challenges.[15] This was seen in the United States invasion of Afghanistan, Operation Meghdoot, the Siachen conflict, the Kargil War, and the 2020–2021 China–India skirmishes.

Deploying such platforms in extreme altitudes require special modifications, special types of fuel, etc. which further puts stress on the logistics of the sector.[16] The K9 Vajra self propelled howitzers that India deployed in Ladakh and Leh in response to Chinese incursions and aggressions[17] had to be specially modified, so that they could function properly in the high altitudes.[18]

The Indian Army found out that the Chinese side had deployed Type 15 tanks, which have significant advantages over the assets the Indian Army was fielding, at the extreme heights of the Galwan valley.[19] [20]

Development

The project is named after General Zorawar Singh Kahluria, who led the 1841 Military Expedition to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar during the Dogra–Tibetan War.[21] After news of the deployment of ZTZ-04A Chinese light tanks in the Ladakh sector, the Indian Army wanted to operate light tanks in the Himalayan theatre, where they will be easier to operate, maintain than main battle tanks. They are intended to be light and maneuverable without sacrificing firepower.[22] [23]

Initially, the Indian Army intended to procure these light tanks from Russia.[24] The Army finalised the general staff quality requirements and approached the Ministry of Defence in September 2022 for the Acceptance of Necessity (AON).[25] [26]

The project, which has already received in-principle approval, is planned to be procured under the 'Make-I' acquisition category of the Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020, in line with the "Make in India" initiative.[27] The project cost that was sanctioned stood at Rs. 234.5 crore.[28]

In September 2022, it was confirmed that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been selected as the development partner of this homegrown "mountain tank" which is to be rolled out by 2023.[29]

The concept of this tank was unveiled at DefExpo 2022,[30] and as per April 2023 reports, the Indian Army may induct close to 700 units of this tank.[31] The Russo-Ukrainian War has reportedly caused supply chain chokepoints for defense components, specifically electrical, electronic, and engine components, delaying projects, according to an August 2023 report by The New Indian Express.[32]

Proposed design

The new light tank is supposed to be light and maneuverable without sacrificing firepower. Its capabilities will be supplemented by artificial intelligence, integration with swarm drones for higher situational awareness, loitering munitions for high lethality, and an active protection system as a shield against modern anti-armour systems.[33]

India initially decided to use German MTU engines for Zorawar tank, but due to repeated delays the Cummins 750 hp engine will be used for prototypes.[34] Recent reports suggest Rolls-Royce has delivered MTU 8V199 engine for the light tank project. The DRDO is also working on a project to develop an indigenous engine for production.[35] [36]

Trials

In January 2024, developmental trials of the tank prototypes began in Hazira, Gujarat, at the L&T facility where the prototypes were built. It is expected that the prototypes will be handed over to the Army by April 2024.[37] By July 2024, the track trials were completed and certain design changes were made as per suggestions. The tank will now go for desert trials with the Army, followed by high-altitude trials in Ladakh. As per the current timeline, the tank will be inducted by 2027.[38] [39]

Orders

An initial order for 59 tanks has been placed, which will be produced by Larsen and Toubro. The Indian Army will also be holding a competition for buying 295 light tanks, in which the Zorawar tank will take part in. According to reports that emerged in May 2024, Bharat Forge is also developing a light tank under 25 tonnes to compete with L&T's Zorawar Tank in the Army's light tank programme.[40]

Operators

Future operators

See also

Contemporary competitors

Historical Indian light tanks

AFVs with similar firepower

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2023-11-16 . Army: Indigenously Developed ‘Zorawar’ Light Tank to Begin Trials Later This Month . the Wire . en.
  2. Web site: Dalip . Singh . Light tank ‘Zorawar’ goes through test trial, likely to be inducted into Army by 2027 . businessline . The Hindu . 9 July 2024.
  3. Web site: Land Defense brochure . MTU . Rolls-Royce Group . 9 July 2024.
  4. News: India unveils ‘Zorawar' light tank . 9 July 2024 . Janes . 8 July 2024.
  5. News: Singh . Dalip . America’s Cummins engine to power Zorawar tank after Germany fails to relax trade restrictions . 11 July 2024 . businessline . 18 November 2023.
  6. Web site: Cummins diesel engine import data of India from United States - 694 import shipments . Volza . 11 July 2024.
  7. Web site: India's Light Tank Project Zorawar a Counter to China's Type 15 Deployment in the Himalayas . Indian Defence News . 18 July 2024.
  8. News: India unveils ‘Zorawar' light tank . 9 July 2024 . Janes . 8 July 2024.
  9. Web site: India's 'Zorawar' Light Tank, Designed For Operations On China Border, To Be Ready This Month For Trials In December . 2024-06-26.
  10. Web site: 2023-04-14 . L&T gets order to build prototype of light tank for Sino-India border . Business Standard.
  11. Web site: Battlefield Protection System . Defence Research and Development Organisation . Defence Scientific Information & Documentation Centre . 10 July 2024.
  12. News: 'Zorawar' is India's answer to increased armoured threat on the Northern borders. TNIE. 26 August 2022.
  13. News: DRDO light tank 'Zorawar' to be ready for trials by year-end along China border. ET. 16 July 2023.
  14. Web site: Desk . EurAsian Times . 2020-08-07 . Heavy-Weight T-90 Tanks Deployed in Ladakh Not To Defend But To Threaten Chinese Territories – Experts . 2022-08-27 . Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News . en-US.
  15. Web site: 2020-06-23 . Explained: Why high-altitude warfare is challenging, and how soldiers are trained . 2022-08-27 . The Indian Express . en.
  16. Web site: Pathak . Pravin . 2020-09-27 . T-90 and T-72, Bhishma tanks deployed in Ladakh, How did India get the T-90 tanks? . 27 August 2022 . ayupp. en.
  17. News: Singh . Vijaita . 2020-08-31 . China controls 1,000 sq. km of area in Ladakh . en-IN . The Hindu . 2022-08-27 . 0971-751X.
  18. Web site: Desk . EurAsian Times . 2022-01-25 . Indian Army To Acquire 200 More K9 Vajra (Thunder) Howitzers Post Successful Deployment in Ladakh – Reports . 2022-08-27 . Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News . en-US.
  19. Web site: Satam . Parth . 2022-07-01 . Battling China – As India Hunts For 'Mountain Tanks', General Dynamics To Supply US Army With Its 1st Light Tank in Decades -- Reports . 2022-08-29 . Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News . en-US.
  20. Web site: Indian Army’s China border watch awaits ‘Zorawar’ power punch . 2024-02-01 . India Today . en.
  21. Web site: Indian Army to get light tank, 'Zorawar' soon . 2022-08-27 . Financialexpress . en.
  22. Web site: Dutta . Amrita Nayak . 2021-04-23 . Army wants around 350 light tanks to sharpen its mountain warfare edge amid Ladakh stalemate . 2022-08-27 . ThePrint . en-US.
  23. News: Chinese military buildup at Eastern Ladakh includes over 300 tanks. 13 November 2020. TOI.
  24. Web site: 2021-12-09 . Russia to Pitch Lightweight 'Sprut' Tank to Indian Army . 2022-08-27 . The Defense Post . en-US.
  25. Web site: Philip . Snehesh Alex . 2022-08-26 . Eye on China threat, Army launches Project Zorawar to deploy light tanks for mountain warfare . 2022-08-27 . ThePrint . en-US.
  26. Web site: PTI . 2022-08-26 . Project Zorawar: Army to deploy light tanks in high-altitude areas in Northern sector . 2022-08-27 . ThePrint . en-US.
  27. News: Peri . Dinakar . 2022-08-26 . Army accelerates procurement of light tank 'Zorawar' for LAC . en-IN . The Hindu . 2022-08-31 . 0971-751X.
  28. Web site: Defence building light tank for Army, first prototype realised: Govt on Proj 'Zorawar' - The Economic Times . 2024-07-27 . m.economictimes.com.
  29. Web site: Dangwal . Ashish . 2022-09-20 . India's first Prototype Of 'Mountain Tank' To Be Rolled Out By 2023; L&T Says Selected As Development Partner . 2022-09-22 . Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News . en-US.
  30. Web site: Tiwari . Sakshi . 2022-10-27 . India Unveils Zorawar Light Tank Concept at DefExpo; Can Delhi Overlook Russian Offer of Amphibious Tanks Amid China Tensions? . 2023-04-10 . Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News . en-US.
  31. Web site: 2023-04-09 . Indian Army concerned over Chinese moves at LAC, may induct 700 Zorawar Light Tanks . 2023-04-10 . Firstpost . en.
  32. Web site: Singh . Mayank . 2023-08-13 . Ukraine war delays India’s tank project . 2024-01-17 . The New Indian Express . en.
  33. Web site: Indian Army to get light tank, 'Zorawar' soon . 2022-08-29 . Financialexpress . en.
  34. Web site: Singh . Dalip . 2023-11-18 . America’s Cummins engine to power Zorawar tank after Germany fails to relax trade restrictions . 2024-01-18 . BusinessLine . en.
  35. Web site: Singh . Dalip . 2024-07-08 . India represents a substantial opportunity for growth and expansion of our global supply chain . 2024-07-09 . BusinessLine . en.
  36. Web site: 2024-07-07 . India’s indigenous light tank prototype Zorawar ready for rigorous testing . 2024-07-09 . WION . en-us.
  37. Web site: 12 January 2024 . Indian light tank Zorawar begins trials, expected to be ready for user tests by April . 13 January 2024 . aninews.in.
  38. Web site: Philip . Snehesh Alex . ThePrint . 2024-07-06 . India’s indigenous light tank ‘Zorawar’ unveiled, fastest product development by DRDO, L&T . 2024-07-06 . ThePrint . en-US.
  39. News: Watch: DRDO unveils light battle tank Zorawar, developed to counter China in high-altitude areas . 2024-07-06 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  40. News: ‘Developing under 25 tonnes light tank for Army’ . 2024-05-14 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.