Hazira : Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Samir V Kamath said on Saturday that the indigenous Light Tank Zorawar is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army by the year 2027 after all trials.

Kamat today reviewed the progress made in the project at the Larsen and Toubro plant at Hajira in Gujarat. The DRDO and L&T have integrated USVs in loitering munitions in the tank learning lessons from the Russia and Ukraine conflict.

The DRDO chief told media, “It’s indeed a momentous day for all of us to see the light tank in action. It makes me happy and proud. It’s indeed an example. In a short period of two years to two and a half years, we have not only designed this tank but made a first prototype and now the first prototype will undergo development trials over the next six months, and then we will be ready to offer it to our users for user trials. Zorawar is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army by the year 2027 after all trials.”

The light tank Zorawar with 25 tonnes in weight and it is the first time, a fresh tank has been designed and made ready for trials in such a short time.

Speaking on the occasion, Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Executive Vice President Arun Ramchandani said, “It is a great day for L&T today. Within two years, we have brought the tank to a level where it can be taken for internal trials and very soon for user trials.

It has been a big effort, a joint effort between DRDO and L&T, and I think it’s a great achievement by both these teams. Nowhere in the world has a new product been deployed in such a short time. It’s a wonderful achievement for both DRDO and L&T.”

DRDO tank lab director Rajesh Kumar said that the unique thing about the Zorawar tank is its weight as well as the combination of the fundamental parameters of a tank.

 “Generally there are three different types of tanks. There are three categories depending on the weight. The heavy tanks, the medium tanks and the light tanks. Each one has its role. One is for protection, one is for offence and these light tanks play a mixed role for both. So if you see a light tank, many players in the world are making light tanks.

There are the Western tanks, the Russian tanks, Chinese tanks…what is unique about this tank is the weight as well as the combination of the fundamental parameters of a tank, which is the fire, power, mobility and protection.

All three are optimized in such a way that the weight is also maintained. At the same time, you are getting all the parameters. So that is where we stand,” Kumar said.

Developed in a record time of two years for high altitude areas of Ladakh, the tank is testimony to Indian progress in indigenous manufacturing. The light tank Zorawar with 25 tonnes in weight and it is the first time, a fresh tank has been designed and made ready for trials in such a short time.

59 of these tanks will be provided to the Army initially and it will be a front runner for the major programme of 295 more of these armoured vehicles.  The Indian Air Force can supply two tanks at a time in the C-17 class transport aircraft as the tank is light and can be run at high speeds in mountain valleys.

The trials are expected to be completed in the next 12-18 months and be ready for induction.