DRDO and L&T Test New Zorawar Tank for Indian Army in Ladakh

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) are at an advanced stage of testing the new Zorawar light tank in Gujarat. DRDO chief Dr. Samir V Kamat recently reviewed the project’s progress at the L&T plant in Hajira, Gujarat.

The Zorawar tank, developed in just two years, is designed for high-altitude areas like Ladakh. Weighing 25 tonnes, it is the first tank to be designed and ready for trials in such a short time. The tank integrates Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) in loitering munitions, learning from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Initially, 59 Zorawar tanks will be provided to the Indian Army, with a larger program for 295 more tanks planned. The Indian Air Force can transport two tanks at a time using C-17 class transport aircraft. The trials are expected to be completed in the next 12-18 months, and the tank will be ready for induction. Although the first ammunition is sourced from Belgium, DRDO plans to develop it indigenously.