Key facts
- The Army has requested enhanced protection levels for the indigenous Zorawar light battle tank.
- This demand is expected to delay the tank's induction by approximately two years.
- Developers must integrate improved protective materials while maintaining the tank's weight below 25 tonnes.
- The Zorawar tank currently offers STANAG level 4 protection.
- The Army requires 354 light tanks, with the initial 59 to be produced by L&T-DRDO.
India's indigenous light battle tank, Zorawar, is facing a potential delay of up to two years in its induction into the Army. This setback is attributed to the Army's demand for enhanced protection levels against enemy fire, which presents technical challenges for developers. They must now integrate improved protective materials while ensuring the tank's weight remains below the 25-tonne threshold required for high-altitude mobility.
The Zorawar tank, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with L&T, currently meets STANAG level 4 protection. This standard is sufficient to defeat machine gun fire, artillery shrapnel, and limited mine blasts. However, the Army's requirement for a higher protection level necessitates additional development work, pushing back the timeline from the original plan of induction by 2027.
The development of the Zorawar tank was initiated in April 2022 and completed in a record time of less than two years, spurred by China's deployment of light armor in eastern Ladakh following border tensions in 2020. The tank is designed for high mobility in extreme altitudes, featuring a 105 mm gun, active protection systems, and integrated UAV capabilities for enhanced battlefield visibility. The Army has a total requirement of 354 light tanks, with the initial 59 units to be produced by L&T-DRDO.