Indian Army to Get 59 Indigenous Zorawar Tanks in Phase One, 18 Mk1 Variants First

Indian Army's Zorawar Light Tank Programme Gains Momentum

The Indian Army's efforts to bolster its armoured capabilities have taken a significant leap forward with the development of the Zorawar Light Tank. This 25-ton-class indigenous light tank, jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is set to enter limited production in the coming months.

A Two-Phase Approach

The Indian Army has agreed to procure 59 Zorawar tanks in the first phase, but only 18 of these will be based on the MkI variant. The MkI will serve as the baseline for the programme, with the remaining 41 tanks being reserved for the next-generation MkII variant. The MkII is currently under development and is expected to feature a STANAG Level 6 armour upgrade for its frontal section, with side protection capable of reaching Level 5B.

A Shift in Production Plans

The MkII variant is expected to enter mass production, with 295 light tanks planned for procurement out of the total 354 being planned. This marks a significant shift in production plans, with the MkI order not being enough to form a single regiment. In contrast, the MkII is expected to enable the formation of five additional regiments. The production contract for the MkII variant has been awarded to Tata Advanced Systems, with L&T building the MkI variant.

Enhanced Capabilities

The MkII variant is expected to feature enhanced capabilities, including the ability to stop 30 mm and 25 mm armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds fired from just 500 meters away. The tank will also be equipped with an Active Protection System (APS) and integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) jammers to disable enemy drones. These upgrades are expected to significantly enhance the tank's survivability and combat effectiveness.

Engine Upgrades

The current prototypes of the Zorawar Light Tank are equipped with the Cummins VTA903E-T760 diesel engine, which generates an output of 760 horsepower (570 kW). While the same engine is expected to be used for the MkI units, the MkII variant will require a more powerful engine due to the addition of 5-7 tons of weight. Talks are being held with local manufacturers to develop a new engine, with the DRDO already having developed an 800HP engine for the Zorawar program.

Competition and Private-Sector Involvement

While the DRDO-L&T Zorawar project is the primary Indian Light Tank programme, Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL) has been developing its own indigenous light tank from a clean-sheet design. This parallel competitor is seen as a demonstration of private-sector capability and is expected to provide a boost to India's defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• The Zorawar Light Tank programme is set to enter limited production in the coming months, with 59 tanks being procured in the first phase.
• The MkII variant will enter mass production, with 295 light tanks planned for procurement, and is expected to feature enhanced capabilities, including STANAG Level 6 armour and an APS.
• The MkII variant will require a more powerful engine, with talks being held with local manufacturers to develop a new engine.
• The DRDO-L&T Zorawar project is the primary Indian Light Tank programme, with Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL) developing its own indigenous light tank as a parallel competitor.
• The programme is expected to provide a boost to India's defence manufacturing ecosystem and enhance the country's armoured capabilities.