AVNL Plans Joint Venture with Russian Firms to Produce Light Tanks for Indian Army, Poised to Compete with Zorawar Tank

In a move that could reshape India's armored vehicle landscape, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd (AVNL) has revealed plans to establish a joint venture (JV) with Russian defense giants Rosoboronexport (ROE) and High Precision Systems (HPC).

This collaboration aims to develop and produce a new light tank specifically for the Indian Army, which has a requirement for 295 such vehicles under its "Make-I" indigenous procurement program.

The JV will see AVNL and India Optel Limited (IOL) hold a majority stake, ensuring Indian control over the project. This partnership seeks to capitalize on Russia's extensive experience in light tank design, particularly leveraging the Sprut-SD light tank as a potential foundation for the new vehicle.

This puts the JV in direct competition with the indigenously developed Zorawar Light Tank, a product of collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

The Zorawar, designed with modularity and indigenous systems in mind, has already secured an initial order of 59 units from the Indian Army, with user trials expected to be completed by 2027. This procurement aligns with India's ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on foreign defense equipment.

However, the entry of a Russian-backed competitor presents the Army with a significant decision: expand its investment in the Zorawar or diversify its light tank fleet by incorporating the Sprut-SD-inspired design.

While the Indian Army has shown a clear preference for indigenous platforms like the Zorawar, the availability of an alternative with proven Russian technology could influence procurement strategies.

Critics of a diversified approach highlight potential challenges related to logistics, maintenance, and training that could arise from operating multiple light tank platforms.

The Army's need for light tanks stems from the necessity to address emerging threats in challenging terrains, particularly along India's northern borders. These 295 light tanks are intended to provide a rapidly deployable force with high mobility and firepower in areas where heavier main battle tanks are less effective.

 

[Mithu Roy]

Zorawar will be better than sprut since DRDO had studied the Russian tank and understood it's strength and weakness.
only advantage sprut will have is the same gun used in sprut which will have less logistics issues

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Hope this tank never sees daylight in india... Zorawar zindabad

 

[Instant Karma]

Zorawar will be better than sprut since DRDO had studied the Russian tank and understood it's strength and weakness.
only advantage sprut will have is the same gun used in sprut which will have less logistics issues

How zorawar will be better? Sprut has 125 mm main gun and lighter than zorawar at 18 tons against 25 to 30 tons for zorawar and amphibious which zorawar does not have. Being lighter and using same gun as T 90 tanks, it will cost half that of zorawar.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

How zorawar will be better? Sprut has 125 mm main gun and lighter than zorawar at 18 tons against 25 to 30 tons for zorawar and amphibious which zorawar does not have. Being lighter and using same gun as T 90 tanks, it will cost half that of zorawar.

Pros and cons of being lighter. Lighter means more mobility but much less protection.
Also its not currently in production.

 

[Instant Karma]

Pros and cons of being lighter. Lighter means more mobility but much less protection.
Also its not currently in production.

All tanks have been destroyed in Ukraine including M1 abraham and Panther.

 

[Atharva Khalatkar]

Sprut is lighter than zorawar and have bigger gun but sprut have a less protection which is not good for crew..

 

[Instant Karma]

Pros and cons of being lighter. Lighter means more mobility but much less protection.
Also its not currently in production.

As per my opinion, both tanks should be ordered equally so that if sanctions imposed, atleast one tank will be operational. Zorawar has many American, Canadian and European parts.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

As per my opinion, both tanks should be ordered equally so that if sanctions imposed, atleast one tank will be operational. Zorawar has many American, Canadian and European parts.

295 is too small a number a number to split.

 

[Instant Karma]

295 is too small a number a number to split.

Sprut being half the cost of zorawar, with the same amount of money, we can purchase 150 zorawar and 300 Sprut tanks.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

All tanks have been destroyed in Ukraine including M1 abraham and Panther.

All tanks are destructible. Still Western tanks are better protected because tank crews have a better chance of survival.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Sprut being half the cost of zorawar, with the same amount of money, we can purchase 150 zorawar and 300 Sprut tanks.

How did you estimate the cost of a vehicle that has been out of production for a decade or more?
Also 2 vehicles means 2 different logistical networks.

 

[Instant Karma]

How did you estimate the cost of a vehicle that has been out of production for a decade or more?
Also 2 vehicles means 2 different logistical networks.

Sprut will have little logistics problems as tracks and chassis is from BMP vehicles and guns are identical to T 90 tanks. Both are already manufactured in India. It will have 100% Indegenous and will cost less than zorawar. But zorawar will definitely cost more as almost every part is imported. The BMP 2 costs 7 crs each. We can add another 13 crs for the guns and other systems. The Sprut will not cost more than 20 crs each.

where as zorawar will be aquire for 17500 crs for 354 units. Each unit will cost 50 crs each. That will be 150% more than Sprut tanks cost.

for 17500 crs, we can aquire 800 to 900 Sprut tanks.

 

[BCharlie]

All tanks are destructible. Still Western tanks are better protected because tank crews have a better chance of survival.

So true...; just see in Lebanon assault by Israelis.. they lost 62 of their Merkavas plus lots of armored vehicles etc; We must always remember that all man made items are destructible..

 

[SivaBalan Kumaravel]

Guys No need to worry... The discussion with Russian side will go nowhere.... it will take long time to finalize....By that time Zorawar will finish all its trails and will be ready for induction. For people speaking about cheap prices of Sprut, Please wait once official conversation started, Russia will reveal the Actual price for ToT then start comparing it with Zorawar. Look at Kamov Ka-226T deal negotiation...Mostly same thing will happen hear. Although Lots of parts were imported for Zorawar, the complete design is ours so we can substitute as on when the indigenous technology matures.

 

[Sandeep]

Most likely the military and government will stick with the Zorawar Tank but just increase the amount of indigenous technology, parts and equipment or maybe other refinements or improvements.

 

[sishir]

Why we cannot have joint venture with Israeli companies. There product is battle teated and high on futuristic technology. Russian goods are not good we see them in Ukraine war. Plus it is a sanctioned country by America and King Trump is coming in. Not a very good thought. Even we can do so with South Korea. We have good car venture both Hyundai and Kai why not in buildi g naval ships and other artillery and tank collaboration.