In a significant step for India's indigenous defence sector, the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) has officially confirmed its partnership with Ashok Leyland to develop a new 800 horsepower (HP) diesel engine.
This engine is being custom-built to power the Zorawar light tank, a platform designed specifically for high-altitude warfare.
The design phase for the engine is complete, and the development work is now actively in progress.
This project builds upon the established success of Ashok Leyland, which previously developed a proven 600 HP engine. The new 800 HP unit is intended to provide the Zorawar with a crucial combination of high power and agility for rapid movement in contested mountain territories.
The Zorawar light tank, named after the 19th-century general who led campaigns in the Himalayas, is a key project for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The 25-tonne tank is being developed to counter China's deployment of its Type 15 light tanks along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
While the initial Zorawar prototypes are reportedly using imported engines to meet urgent trial timelines, the long-term plan has always been to equip the tank with a fully indigenous power pack.
A primary engineering challenge is to increase the engine's output to 800 HP without substantially increasing its physical size or weight.
This focus on a high power-to-weight ratio is essential for the tank to achieve speeds exceeding 70 km/h and maintain agility, even while equipped with modern composite armour and active protection systems.
To ensure performance and reliability in the harsh conditions of mountain warfare, the new engine will incorporate several advanced technical features:
- High-Altitude Performance: The engine will use a turbocharger and a Common Rail Direct Injection (CRDI) fuel system. This combination is critical for forcing sufficient air into the engine and managing fuel precisely, allowing it to maintain power and efficiency in the thin air of high-altitude environments.
- Reliable Lubrication: A "dry-sump" lubrication system will be used. Unlike a conventional engine, this system ensures the engine receives constant oil flow even when operating at extreme angles, such as on steep slopes or navigating rough terrain, preventing engine damage.
- Stable Design: The 8-cylinder V-type configuration is inherently balanced, which reduces vibration and increases the engine's operational life.
The project timeline aims to have the new engine ready for "bench testing" by mid-2026.
Following these tests, the engine will be integrated into Zorawar prototypes for comprehensive power pack trials.
This engine will be paired with a new automatic transmission, and its modular design means it could potentially be adapted for other future Indian armoured vehicles.
