India unveiled a new light tank on Saturday, a milestone for its defence manufacturing sector. Designed for swift deployment and enhanced mobility in mountainous terrain, the tank is slated for induction into service by 2027, bolstering India’s defence capabilities along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) against Chinese forces, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The light tank is expected to be ready for induction in 2027
Weighing 25 tonnes, the tank is a product of a two-year collaboration between Larsen & Toubro and the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) under Project Zorawar, aiming to fulfill the Indian Army's requirement for 354 light tanks. It will now undergo rigorous testing phases.
Officials noted that the tank was developed from scratch in record time. DRDO chief Samir V Kamat recently inspected the tank's first prototype at L&T’s Hazira facility in Gujarat, where it demonstrated initial maneuvers.
In response to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army's deployment of modern tanks along the LAC, India has adapted by focusing on lighter tanks with robust firepower, protection, surveillance, and communication capabilities, particularly suited for mountainous regions. This strategic move addresses the limitations of heavier Russian-origin tanks like the T-72 and T-90, which were primarily designed for plains and deserts.
Named after the legendary General Zorawar Singh, renowned for his strategic victories in Ladakh and Tibet, the tank incorporates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, drone integration, active protection systems, and enhanced situational awareness. The project, estimated at ₹17,500 crore, underscores India's commitment to modernizing its defense infrastructure amidst ongoing border tensions and diplomatic negotiations with China.
In December 2022, the Defence Acquisition Council approved defence projects totaling ₹84,328 crore to enhance the combat capabilities of the armed forces, including the procurement of light tanks. This approval, known as Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), marks the initial step in India’s defence procurement process.
In an April 2021 Request for Information (RFI), the Army emphasized that the light tank must demonstrate versatility across various terrain conditions and effectively counter a range of threats posed by adversaries.
In subsequent communications, the Army underscored that the light tank is designed to be a formidable and resilient platform, offering significant mobility advantages in high-altitude frontiers.
The unveiling of the tank followed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's announcement of record-high growth in India's domestic defence production during the financial year 2023-24, which reached nearly ₹1.27 lakh crore—a 17% increase from the previous year.
Of the total defence production value in 2023-24, 79.2% was contributed by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and other Public Sector Units (PSUs), with the remaining 20.8% coming from the private sector.
Official’s statements
“It will be capable of operating in challenging conditions along LAC with minimal logistics support. The tank will demonstrate its capabilities in summer and winter trials that will be conducted in deserts and mountains during the next two years before it goes into production,” he said.
“The tank can be transported by air and is capable of amphibious operations. It can fire at high angles of elevation and perform the role of limited artillery,” said a second official, adding that the platform’s modular design can accommodate future upgrades.
“These tanks with superior mobility, all terrain agility, multi-layered protection, precision lethal firepower and real time situational awareness duly integrating niche technology will offer multiple options for rapid operational employment, enabling the army to execute operations across the entire continuum of conflict,” the note said.
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