India's "Zorawar" Light Tank Breaking Records in Development Speed

A newly developed Indian Light Tank, codenamed "Zorawar," is making headlines due to its remarkably rapid development timeline. Industry sources, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defense, claim that the project progressed from initial concept to a functional prototype in an unprecedented 18 months. This achievement underscores India's growing expertise in defense technology and its commitment to self-reliance in this critical sector, with L&T playing a key role in this success.

The accelerated development is attributed to the experience gained from previous projects, such as L&T's work on the K-9 Vajra Self-Propelled Howitzer. This knowledge transfer streamlined the design and production process, allowing for a swift turnaround.

The urgency for this rapid development stemmed from the evolving security situation in the Ladakh region. To counter potential threats, the Indian Army sought a domestically produced Light Tank solution. This need led to a collaboration between L&T Defense and the DRDO on Project Zorawar.

These 25-ton tanks are being custom-designed to meet the specific operational requirements of this high-altitude Ladakh region.

Currently, the Zorawar Light Tank is undergoing rigorous testing to assess its performance and identify areas for improvement. This includes internal trials conducted by L&T, as well as field tests in collaboration with the Indian Army, simulating real-world operating conditions.

The successful and rapid development of the Zorawar Light Tank is a testament to India's growing capabilities in the defense sector, with L&T's contribution being a crucial factor. This achievement not only enhances the Indian Army's capabilities but also contributes to the broader "Make in India" initiative, promoting indigenous manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign imports.

 

[Satya Dev]

Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT's own contribution - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system?
Or is it just screw driver assembly using TVS fasteners (which account for 60% components in numbers to qualify for ATMANIRBHAR scheme) & how much LT will charge - Rs 50 crores per unit?
For K-9 Vajra SPH they charged Rs 45-50 crores whereas direct import from Hanwa- SK, would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit.

 

[Akshat]

Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT's own contribution - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system?
Or is it just screw driver assembly using TVS fasteners (which account for 60% components in numbers to qualify for ATMANIRBHAR scheme) & how much LT will charge - Rs 50 crores per unit?
For K-9 Vajra SPH they charged Rs 45-50 crores whereas direct import from Hanwa- SK, would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit.

Still a much better job than OFB and DRDO. And not to mention, just one small project and now they are designing and making light tank in record time. So money very very well spent.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT's own contribution - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system?
Or is it just screw driver assembly using TVS fasteners (which account for 60% components in numbers to qualify for ATMANIRBHAR scheme) & how much LT will charge - Rs 50 crores per unit?
For K-9 Vajra SPH they charged Rs 45-50 crores whereas direct import from Hanwa- SK, would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit.

No body manufacturers each and every components. Everyone assembles it. Putting everything together and making it work is the most toughest job

 

[Pink Panther]

Rolling out in 18 months is not a big deal, but rolling in into tips loving IA would be the biggest of all the deals, hopefully it rolls in at-least within another decade and hope Zorawar doesn’t become another defense show product like Tata WHAP and many other products alike.

 

[IB]

Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT's own contribution - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system?
Or is it just screw driver assembly using TVS fasteners (which account for 60% components in numbers to qualify for ATMANIRBHAR scheme) & how much LT will charge - Rs 50 crores per unit?
For K-9 Vajra SPH they charged Rs 45-50 crores whereas direct import from Hanwa- SK, would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit.

please go watch some perun and abhijit iyer mitra to unterstand the complexity.our delusion of having french technology level will get us killed,insulted,etc. we will end up flying mig 21 in 2040 and mig 29 in 2065 without mmrca if a war does not start first. if you care about that so much just focus on economic growth and selling hal to tata or larsen and turbo.

 

[Olef hitler]

Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT's own contribution - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system?
Or is it just screw driver assembly using TVS fasteners (which account for 60% components in numbers to qualify for ATMANIRBHAR scheme) & how much LT will charge - Rs 50 crores per unit?
For K-9 Vajra SPH they charged Rs 45-50 crores whereas direct import from Hanwa- SK, would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit.

Zorawar doesn't source turret from john cockerill it's a indigenous one . In an interview couple of months before , the officials from drdo said that arjun project played a crucial role in development of the turret section . Also the gearbox isn't from l&t but rather a german supplier renk .

 

[beencensured]

Let me say India has been making light tanks for quite some time none were accepted despite indigenous efforts. LT will borrow from everywhere, and deny it is Indian. I guess a little commission to South Korea may green light this project as some have less shame.

 

[Kirit Patel]

Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT's own contribution - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system?
Or is it just screw driver assembly using TVS fasteners (which account for 60% components in numbers to qualify for ATMANIRBHAR scheme) & how much LT will charge - Rs 50 crores per unit?
For K-9 Vajra SPH they charged Rs 45-50 crores whereas direct import from Hanwa- SK, would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit.

How many companies do you know that produce everything for complex system like this in world? Just celebrate that L&T is doing this in recored breaking time. Otherwise it take 10-15 years if PSU is doing this kind of work.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Great news... Now hope this is enough to satisfy the IA. If everything goes according to plan this will be a stepping stone towards manufacturing 100% indigenous tanks that too even better ones.
Jaihind.

 

[GMR]

Don't forget the other record breaking stake holder, in trial duration 😄

 

[Akshat]

Rolling out in 18 months is not a big deal, but rolling in into tips loving IA would be the biggest of all the deals, hopefully it rolls in at-least within another decade and hope Zorawar doesn’t become another defense show product like Tata WHAP and many other products alike.

Doesn’t happen when the product is actually made as per army’s request. See how quickly they are inducting drones and armored vehicles from private sector. Problem comes when DRDO jumps in.

 

[Akshat]

Don't forget the other record breaking stake holder, in trial duration 😄

Trial duration only increases when products are of inferior quality. Army can’t reject them and army can’t induct them. So they have to keep delaying it.

 

[Pink Panther]

Doesn’t happen when the product is actually made as per army’s request. See how quickly they are inducting drones and armored vehicles from private sector. Problem comes when DRDO jumps in.

DRDO is also part of this project, problems begin when the Army keeps changing the specs and asking for additional requirement's, we have seen this in many previous projects including Tejas.

 

[Puneet]

If successful its a very good export prospect. Also L&T can develop FRCV or a medium weight tank post this project

 

[Varaaah]

India will need lots of such tanks. Not just for war, but because of the natural rampages which will occur worldwide
L&T can play in on this and develop versions which are suitable to reach people in shattered and flooded places and other places which are otherwise difficult to reach.

 

[Rick Golder]

This is what happens with a efficient and successful public and private sector company collaboration. It will be better if we see more of these kind of collaboration in the future. Like FRCVs and all. If L&T can also collaborate for FRCV, them I am sure we will be able to develop and induct them on time.

 

[Sandeep]

It will be great if they can develop a modern light tank this quick. Now they need to produce this in a large quantity and it can also be used along with our heavy tanks and IFV so there is a larger role than just deploying it in the rough terrain and mountain range. This tank must be designed very well which is very modern and up to date on the technology and fighting capabilities which includes the use of surveillance and kamikaze drones and EW. This tank must also be 100% indigenously designed and manufactured in India even if some of the parts are designed from another company we should still aim to manufacture those critical parts and technology.

 

[Akshat]

DRDO is also part of this project, problems begin when the Army keeps changing the specs and asking for additional requirement's, we have seen this in many previous projects including Tejas.

And this project has not yet been finished.

Since when did army change the specs for Tejas? Matlab kuch bhi?

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

L&T contribution js the same as what HAL has been doing fir last 70 years and what Avadi has been doing since it was formed. Nobody bothered questioning them on their lack of innovation or original design.

The fact that you expect the same from a private sector enterprise which has only recently entered defense production, reflects your ulterior motives to discredit their achievements and only underscores biased outlook.

 

[IB]

L&T contribution js the same as what HAL has been doing fir last 70 years and what Avadi has been doing since it was formed. Nobody bothered questioning them on their lack of innovation or original design.

The fact that you expect the same from a private sector enterprise which has only recently entered defense production, reflects your ulterior motives to discredit their achievements and only underscores biased outlook.

agreed lockhead martin gets 60 billion a year from us government lets given larsen 6 for year for 15 years see magic happen.

 

[Oliver77]

India's Zorawar light tank showcases remarkable progress in development speed, a testament to the nation's commitment to advancing its military capabilities. The swift pace reflects India's determination to enhance its defense infrastructure, potentially bolstering its position on the global stage. Such advancements underscore the country's growing prominence in military innovation and signify a significant step forward in its defense capabilities.

 

[Sridhar]

Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT's own contribution - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system?
Or is it just screw driver assembly using TVS fasteners (which account for 60% components in numbers to qualify for ATMANIRBHAR scheme) & how much LT will charge - Rs 50 crores per unit?
For K-9 Vajra SPH they charged Rs 45-50 crores whereas direct import from Hanwa- SK, would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit.

For that matter almost all defence manufacturers have different vendors for supplying various parts for their products. Can you ne any company who produce A to Z inhouse?

 

[Kavin]

India's Zorawar light tank showcases remarkable progress in development speed, a testament to the nation's commitment to advancing its military capabilities. The swift pace reflects India's determination to enhance its defense infrastructure, potentially bolstering its position on the global stage. Such advancements underscore the country's growing prominence in military innovation and signify a significant step forward in its defense capabilities.

India's rapid development of the Zorawar light tank demonstrates impressive strides in military innovation. This swift progress highlights the nation's dedication to strengthening its defense infrastructure and enhancing its global standing. Such advancements underscore India's growing role in military technology and its commitment to robust national security. sso login

 

[stuart86]

India's Zorawar light tank showcases remarkable progress in development speed, a testament to the nation's commitment to advancing its military capabilities. The swift pace reflects India's determination to enhance its defense infrastructure, potentially bolstering its position on the global stage. Such advancements underscore the country's growing prominence in military innovation and signify a significant step forward in its defense capabilities. PM Kisan Status

India's rapid development of the Zorawar light tank highlights its dedication to military innovation and defense strength. This progress enhances India's global defense stature and showcases its technological prowess.