On Thursday, India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test-fired the light main battle tank Zolawa in Hazira, Gujarat.
Zorawar was sponsored by DRDO and larson and toubrow. Storage tank projects under development indian army DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat conducted the review.
Big day: DRDO chief
“It is indeed a great day for us that we could see this baby of ours in action. It makes me feel happy and proud. And it just took us to two to two and a half years… Where we did not only design this tank, but came up with its first prototype now… Within six months as from today the first one will undergo development trials before going out for user testing on the other hand all users. Who would have shown any interest on it are requested to visit Zorawar”. It was stated by the General during our conversation regarding. When zorawar is expected to be ready for use in Indian Army after these official tests.
It was developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) as an answer to Chinese deployment outside the Line of Actual Control (LAC) within East Ladakh Region as desired by Indian Army .
unique features
This Light tank can negotiate steep mountains more navigable than bulky T-72 or T90 tanks and cross rivers more easily due to being amphibious. According to him, in 2027 this tank is supposed to be taken into service with Indian Army ranks
Commenting on the unique features of the Zorawar, Rajesh Kumar, Director, Tank Laboratory, DRDO said “Tanks are generally classified into three different types. There are three categories based on weight: heavy tanks, medium tanks and light tanks. Each one is for protection Another is attack ” The peculiarity of these light tanks lies in a combination of their weight against basic tank parameters, namely firepower and power.
All about Zoravar and its strategic utility
Zolawa is a light tank It is designed to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Army in high-altitude areas such as Ladakh. It bears the name of Zorawar Singh, 19th-century Dogra general who led military expeditions to Ladakh and western Tibet.
The design of Zoravar aims at achieving lightweightness, high maneuverability and air transport capability on one hand. While on the other ensuring that there is no compromise in terms of fire-power, protection, surveillance and communication systems.
It weighs only 25 tons which is half as much as heavy tanks like. T-90 do thereby enabling it to move around terrains with difficult mountainous terrain that cannot allow for huge tanks.
There have been initial orders from Indian Army for 59 “Zorava” tanks with plans to buy 354 more light tanks. The last purchase will be able to equalize China’s number of these types of weapons located in mountainous areas (Ladakh) as it now possess Type 15 Tanks
Main features of Zorava
A main gun capable of firing anti-tank missiles with a caliber greater than or equal to 105 mm.
Modular explosive reactive armour (ERA) along with active protection systems provide additional layering against various threats.
This light tank shall also be characterized by power-to-weight ratio not less than 30 hp/tonne thus making it highly maneuverable.
For improved situational awareness, these platforms can be linked up with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as tactical data-links (TDL).
With this particular vehicle type being brought into service by the army at least some special units could boast quick movements’ abilities within the range extended due borders. Where they are deployed especially across such territories like Eastern Ladakh region. This combination will significantly modernize India’s military posture in relation to China in these strategically significant regions.
