India's domestically developed light tank, the Zorawar, is scheduled to commence its first phase of rigorous user trials with the Indian Army in July 2025.
This critical evaluation stage will be instrumental in finalizing the timeline for the tank's planned induction into service by 2027, marking a significant step in bolstering India's military capabilities in high-altitude border regions.
The development of the 25-tonne tank is a direct response to the strategic requirements for an agile and powerful armoured platform in the challenging mountain terrains along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, particularly in eastern Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Heavier mainstream tanks, such as the 40-48 tonne T-72 and T-90, face significant operational limitations in the low-oxygen, rugged environment of the Himalayas. The Zorawar is engineered to overcome these challenges and provide the army with enhanced mobility and firepower.
Named after the celebrated 19th-century general Zorawar Singh Kahluria, who led successful military campaigns in Ladakh and Tibet, the tank project represents a major achievement for India's self-reliance initiative in the defence sector.
Developed jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private sector firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the project moved from official approval in March 2022 to the unveiling of the first prototype in July 2024—a remarkably swift timeline of under two years.
The project falls under the "Make-I" category of defence acquisition, which prioritises Indian-designed and developed equipment.
Before being handed over to the army, the Zorawar has already passed a series of demanding internal and developmental tests. These included automotive and firing trials at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan and extensive high-altitude performance evaluations in Nyoma, Ladakh, at elevations exceeding 4,200 meters.
During these tests, the tank successfully demonstrated its mobility, firepower, and protection systems.
Furthermore, the Indian Air Force has validated the tank's capability to be airlifted, ensuring it can be rapidly deployed to remote forward areas in a crisis. A second, improved prototype incorporating feedback from these initial tests was unveiled in June 2025.
The upcoming user trials, expected to last between 12 and 18 months, will subject the Zorawar to the military's stringent protocols across diverse operational conditions, including summer and winter environments.
A key focus of the trials will be to test its amphibious capabilities in riverine terrain, such as the area around Pangong Tso lake.
Successful completion of these evaluations will clear the path for an initial order of 59 tanks from L&T, with plans to acquire a total of 354 units to equip multiple armoured regiments.
Engineered specifically for mountain warfare, the Zorawar tank integrates a range of modern technologies. It is powered by a 1,000 hp engine, giving it a high power-to-weight ratio for excellent mobility on steep gradients and narrow mountain roads.
Its primary armament is a 105mm rifled gun, complemented by both a remote-controlled and a coaxial machine gun.
For survivability, it features modular armour and an Active Protection System (APS) designed to intercept incoming anti-tank missiles.
The tank is also equipped with advanced electronics, including a hunter-killer fire control system and the ability to integrate with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions, reflecting key lessons from recent global conflicts.
