India to roll out next-gen light battle tank Zorawar for high-altitude battles

The Indian Light Tank (ILT), named Zorawar, is getting ready to join heavy and large traditional tanks in the high-altitude battle zones of the Himalayas' rugged and difficult terrains. 

The ILT was designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Precision Engineering & Systems as the manufacturing partner. The DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Chennai led the design and development project.

Zorawar is a 25-ton class armoured fighting vehicle, designed as a versatile platform for deployment in high-altitude areas, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) where China has deployed its ZTQ-15 light tanks.  As per the current plan, the tank will be inducted by 2027 and the army is likely to give an order for 350 light tanks. The first prototype was revealed to Parliament by the Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, on July 26, 2024. Sources say the production of the second prototype had commenced at L&T's Hazira facility.

Zorawar can be easily transported by road and rail. It was airlifted to Nyoma, Ladakh, for successful high-altitude trials exceeding 4,200 meters (13,800 feet) in December 2024. This was after the Phase I successful trial in the desert environment in September 2024.

The tank is engineered to function effectively in extreme temperature conditions—from high-altitude cold regions to scorching deserts—and are equipped with advanced technologies like art turret (potentially from Belgium), Safran Paseo sights (from France), and a foreign engine (likely a Cummins or MTU), say defence sources.

It has a 105mm main gun with an autoloader, coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and a 12.7mm remote weapon station. It can also launch anti-tank guided missiles and are integrated with drones and loitering munitions. The tank will have advanced protection against aerial threats and will counter UAVS and armoured vehicles.