After Summer, Winter and High Altitude Trials by Indian Army, Zorawar Light Tank will be Ready for Induction by 2027

The Indian Army's much-anticipated Light Tank, developed under Project Zorawar, is inching closer to reality. According to DRDO chief Dr. Kamat, the internal development trials are expected to wrap up within the next 12-18 months. The tank will then be handed over to the Indian Army for user trials, with an optimistic induction timeline of 2027.

A collaborative project between the DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the Light Tank is being developed at L&T's Hazira facility in Gujarat. Project Zorawar envisions a lightweight, agile yet powerful tank tailored for diverse terrains, particularly addressing the Indian Army's strategic needs.

DRDO has outlined a comprehensive trial plan to ensure the Light Tank meets the Indian Army's stringent standards:

• Summer Trials: To gauge performance and endurance in high temperatures.
• Winter Trials: To evaluate capabilities in extreme cold conditions.
• High Altitude Trials: To ensure the tank can operate effectively in mountainous terrains.

The Indian Army is looking to procure around 350 units of the Light Tank, aiming to boost its mobility and firepower, especially in regions where heavier tanks might face operational challenges. The strategic importance of the Light Tank lies in its ability to offer swift and effective responses in areas with demanding terrains, such as the Himalayan borders and other high-altitude zones.

Dr. Kamat's optimistic projection of a 2027 induction date aligns with the completion of both internal and user trials. This ensures the tank is thoroughly vetted and meets the Army's operational requirements before entering full-scale production and deployment.

 

[Sudha]

There are no internal trials after the product is developed. There are developmental trials, which are also called internal trials. Once they are over, the product goes for user trials.

It is a big matter of concern. Imagine if you are an army team involved with the development of a weapon. You will always be biased towards it. We need level playing field bro.

I do not even understand your concern here. The army isn't involved in the development of the product but may guide the as to what they require in the product. There is no sense of ownership in the product by the IA. Except for corruption I do not see any concern in cutting short the time taken for final product.

 

[Sudha]

That’s only ideal in socialist nations. Army shouldn’t be biased towards any one entity and hence must not conduct joint trials or development. It should be an open market unlike Russia.

Army is only biased towards foreign maal. Actually separate trials aren't needed to save on time (also this is a single vendor product). The product is already developed & evaluation canbe done together even if there are competitive products.

 

[Sudha]

Even Bharat Forge's offering of under 25MT NG Light battle tank is getting ready for testing by IA. If IA opts for the screw driver assembled one at LT's @nil M@nibh@i N@ik plant at Gujarat (PM-HM's home state), Bharat Forge will have to again depend on exports to Armenia.

Actuallly any private co. should go for exports since the present government also gives most of the contracts to inefficient DPSUs after promising the skies to the private sector.

 

[Akshat]

Army is only biased towards foreign maal. Actually separate trials aren't needed to save on time (also this is a single vendor product). The product is already developed & evaluation canbe done together even if there are competitive products.

Army is biased against the foreign maal indeed. It tests desi products at lightening speeds. Remember how Athos was tested for well over 4 years? Both Dhanush and ATAGS cleared the trials faster even if ATAGS is basically a junk for Indian army. Paying much higher price for a museum piece.

As for Zorawar, the tank is not yet ready. It was rolled out just a few months back. A lot of developmental trials will still be required. Army should only conduct final trials after the product is fully ready. Army should not be involved in any commercial venture.

 

[Pad UwU]

Those tanks will be easily destroy by and cheap drones from China's FPV drones from DJI, Iranian and Russian version of drones plus any kinds of ATGM's IMHO 😺
in the end tanks are still forces multiplier for infantry

 

[Akshat]

I do not even understand your concern here. The army isn't involved in the development of the product but may guide the as to what they require in the product. There is no sense of ownership in the product by the IA. Except for corruption I do not see any concern in cutting short the time taken for final product.

I am not concerned if the product has guidance from the IA. The product right now is in developmental trials. Army shouldn't be a part of that process. My point is, army should have a standard role for all vendors. Whether DRDO or any other entity helps them or not is immaterial. There should be level playing field. Army should give their requirements, and then come over in the testing phase. Right now Zorawar is undergoing developmental trials. Once they are over, army can join the trials.

So my whole point is that there should be a level playing field. Whatever the army does for L&T, it should be able to do the exact same thing to every single vendor. Each and every one of them. Even if they are assembling foreign products in India. That's what an open market looks like. Perfect competition. No preferential treatment at all.

 

[Sandeep]

That's wrong. In September 2022, L&T was chosen as the development partner. They are not even the production partner. L&T chief is on record saying this.

And wrong about ATAGS too. Why don't you go and read before blabbering lies all the time? And what's the point of developing a gun which you just can't buy in enough numbers? Army had initially issued a tender for 400 guns but now they have to buy brand new trucks due to which order size is now only 300.

No the project was a collaboration right from the start between DRDO and LT as development and production partner which every media article says the same in 2022. Otherwise without a private company participation they would have had to use a DPSU company.

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As for the towed artillery there is no military or tactical advantage in developing a gun that’s similar to your enemy’s. Even you can’t deny that crucial advantage. Also with any gun purchases they have to buy new vehicles anyway which will be an indigenous vehicle. Also more guns can be ordered after the first batch.

So I’m not blabbering around and telling lies. They are facts. Something that you want to always disregard if it doesn’t suit you and your thoughts.

 

[Sandeep]

No. He is developing it for the light tank tender and will be competing against L&T for the army's tender.

Explain how will he manage to develop a light tank that he’s just recently developing when the Zorawar tank is already going through trials and orders will definitely be placed with LT? He doesn’t have enough time as anything he makes will need to go through a comprehensive test and evaluation which takes years so at best his tank will only start production at around 2028-2030. Within that time production would have already started at LT.

 

[Man-ju]

2027 looks reasonable provided it stays 2027 else we know the sync between our PSU's and forces. Taareeq pe taareeq badalti jayegi.