India's defence capabilities are set to receive a substantial upgrade through a new partnership between Belgium's John Cockerill Defence (JCD) and India's Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (EPH).
The collaboration will focus on producing advanced turret systems within India for the Indian Army's "Zorawar" light tank program, a project designed to enhance India's military presence along its borders.
The joint venture, with JCD holding a 60% majority stake and EPH 40%, is in line with the Indian government's "Make in India" initiative, which promotes domestic manufacturing and self-reliance in key sectors.
The partnership will see the production of the Cockerill 3105 turret, equipped with the NATO-standard Cockerill® 105mm High Pressure (HP) Gun, at a facility in Pune, India. This represents the first time JCD will manufacture turrets outside of Europe.
The Zorawar light tank project is a direct response to the increasing deployment of Chinese ZTQ-15 tanks along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the disputed border between India and China.
The Indian Army initially plans to acquire 350 Zorawar tanks to improve its operational readiness in high-altitude environments. However, recent statements from the Belgian Defence Minister, alongside earlier reports, suggest that the total procurement could eventually reach 700 units. This reflects a significant long-term commitment to bolstering India's border defenses.
The Cockerill 3105 turret provides the Zorawar with significant firepower. It is capable of firing various ammunition types, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds and anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
The turret also features an autoloader, sophisticated fire control systems, and a high elevation range of +42 degrees, which is particularly important for engaging targets in mountainous terrain, typical of the LAC region.
The use of a NATO-standard 105mm gun also opens up potential interoperability benefits with other militaries that use the same standard.
The initial phase of the project involves the production of 59 turrets for Zorawar prototypes, which are currently undergoing testing. The expanded requirement, anticipated to reach 700 tanks, underscores India's strategic focus on addressing potential threats, particularly from China's ZTQ-15, a 33-35 tonne tank also armed with a 105mm gun.
The manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, is slated to deliver its first Indian-made turret by 2027.
In addition to supplying the Indian Army, the JCD-EPH partnership intends to explore potential export markets, positioning India as a contributor to the global defence manufacturing industry. This collaboration strengthens the bilateral relationship between India and Belgium and indicates JCD's confidence in India's manufacturing capabilities.
