Project Zorawar: Light Tank For China Border Takes Shape As DRDO Orders Prototype From L&T

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has placed orders for the prototype development of a light 25-tonne tank from Larsen & Toubro (L&T), reported the Business Standard.

Earlier, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given approval for the development of a 25-tonne light tank under 'Project Zorawar' at a cost of Rs 16,000 crore.

Under the Project, seven regiments of 45 tanks each will be raised for deployment in the high-altitude region opposite the Chinese on the Line-of Actual Control (LAC).

In contrast, China already operates the ZTQ-105 light tank, which was first unveiled at the 2016 Zhuhai Air Show. The ZTQ-105 has a 105mm rifled gun capable firing High Explosive anti tank (HEAT) and Armor Piercing rounds to a maximum range of 2 to 3 kilometers.

According to the report, the DRDO earlier intended using the Korean K-9 Vajra-T 155mm Self-Propelled artillery gun chasis manufactured by L&T as the base for the Light Tank. However, this plan was abandoned because it would have increased the weight of the tank to 34-35 tonnes, against the requirement of 25 tonnes.

It is to be noted that the T-72s, T-90s and Arjun MK-1 and MK-1A tanks, currently in use by the Army are unsuitable for operations in the high-altitude regions owing to their heavy weight.

According to experts, the rarefied atmosphere at high altitude causes the engines of these tanks to produce considerably low power relative to sea-level causing significant wear and tear on the tank's machinery.

Moreover, the elevation and depression angle of the 125-mm guns of these tanks also creates limitations on engaging targets on the hilltops and the valleys.

However, the Light tank's Belgian John Cockerill 105mm turret has no such limitation with a large elevation angle of -10/+42°. The turret also comes with an autoloader and can fire HEAT as well as Anti-tank guided missiles.

The light tank's engine will be optimised for use at high-altitude and will be manufactured by German firm MTU. The engine will produce a maximum horsepower of 800 HP.

According to the report, L&T will manufacture one regiment and the rest of the six regiments will be produced under the 'Make' procedure of DAP 2020.