L&T and DRDO Begin Production of Second Zorawar Light Tank Prototype as Army Trials Continue

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has commenced production of the second prototype of the Zorawar Light Tank, marking significant progress in India's indigenous defence capabilities.

This development comes as the Indian Army prepares to conduct extensive trials on the first prototype of this new light tank, specifically designed for high-altitude warfare.

The production of the second prototype signifies an acceleration in the development process, allowing the army to compare and refine the tank's design based on feedback from the ongoing trials.

The Indian Army has expressed its intention to induct up to 354 units of this tank, highlighting its strategic importance in modernizing the country's armoured forces for operations in challenging terrains, particularly high-altitude areas where traditional main battle tanks face limitations.

The first Zorawar light tank prototype was unveiled in July 2024 at L&T's Hazira Manufacturing Division, demonstrating a remarkable feat of engineering achieved within 19 months of the project's sanction.

This prototype has already undergone preliminary automotive trials, including desert trials near Bikaner, and is now ready for the Indian Army's rigorous testing.

The trials are expected to span the next few months, focusing on evaluating the tank's performance in diverse climatic and terrain conditions, including high-altitude trials in Ladakh.

The Zorawar light tank prioritizes mobility, firepower, and protection. Weighing approximately 25 tonnes, it boasts a high power-to-weight ratio, making it suitable for air, rail, and road transport.

It features advanced optics from Safran Paseo for enhanced situational awareness, a 105mm gun for superior firepower, and is equipped with AI-enabled systems for improved combat efficiency.

The integration of tactical drones and loitering munitions further enhances its capabilities in modern warfare scenarios.

Named after the legendary General Zorawar Singh, the Zorawar Light Tank project aims to bolster India's armoured capabilities in challenging terrains, particularly along the high-altitude regions of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

 

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[sanket]

If First Tank was unveiled in July 2024 what was L&T was doing this 6 months why this is gap between two protypes

 

[Satya Dev]

LT Commences 'manufacturing'? or just 'screw driver assembly'? Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT manufacturing - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, Active Protection System, CBRN Protection System, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system, Oxygen generating system, Fire suppressor system, ATGM launcher, UAV launcher?
How much benefit LT will pass on due to cost saving in using indigenous items & how much will they charge - Rs 100 Crores/unit? Then why not import the K21-105 Light Tank directly from SK @ Rs 27.45 Crore apiece i/o screw driver assembly of CKD kits by LT-Gujarat who will charge a bumper 300% margin under the ATMANIRBHAR excuse? Or wait for Light Tank offers 'manufactured' by Bharat Forge, Tata & MM - they will be able to supply under Rs 30 Crore apiece!
And what is this LT's 'collaboration' with DRDO - the DRDO name plate - just like in ATAGs?

 

[Kos]

If First Tank was unveiled in July 2024 what was L&T was doing this 6 months why this is gap between two protypes

Prototypes are one off, they are used for testing by the manufacturer and the end user, so that issues can be identified, and basis feedback, adjustments are made to the design, which are incorporated into the second prototype, hence the gap. There might be 2 second prototypes, and depending on the satisfaction level and contractual obligations, another prototype before serial production begins.

 

[Kos]

LT Commences 'manufacturing'? or just 'screw driver assembly'? Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT manufacturing - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, Active Protection System, CBRN Protection System, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system, Oxygen generating system, Fire suppressor system, ATGM launcher, UAV launcher?
How much benefit LT will pass on due to cost saving in using indigenous items & how much will they charge - Rs 100 Crores/unit? Then why not import the K21-105 Light Tank directly from SK @ Rs 27.45 Crore apiece i/o screw driver assembly of CKD kits by LT-Gujarat who will charge a bumper 300% margin under the ATMANIRBHAR excuse? Or wait for Light Tank offers 'manufactured' by Bharat Forge, Tata & MM - they will be able to supply under Rs 30 Crore apiece!
And what is this LT's 'collaboration' with DRDO - the DRDO name plate - just like in ATAGs?

L&T is more like integrator. It is the first step towards indigenization. They are not doing what HAL did to the SU30. That was screwdriver assembly as you call it. In the case of this tank, all the parts need to be assessed and designed to work with each other, that's what L&T is doing with the assistance of DRDO.
Have just a bit of faith, and a bit more patience.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

3-4 prototypes should be built so that they can be tested in parallel under different environments. Our adversaries will not wait until we are prepared.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

LT Commences 'manufacturing'? or just 'screw driver assembly'? Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT manufacturing - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, Active Protection System, CBRN Protection System, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system, Oxygen generating system, Fire suppressor system, ATGM launcher, UAV launcher?
How much benefit LT will pass on due to cost saving in using indigenous items & how much will they charge - Rs 100 Crores/unit? Then why not import the K21-105 Light Tank directly from SK @ Rs 27.45 Crore apiece i/o screw driver assembly of CKD kits by LT-Gujarat who will charge a bumper 300% margin under the ATMANIRBHAR excuse? Or wait for Light Tank offers 'manufactured' by Bharat Forge, Tata & MM - they will be able to supply under Rs 30 Crore apiece!
And what is this LT's 'collaboration' with DRDO - the DRDO name plate - just like in ATAGs?

Transmission is also imported I believe. For fast development they should buy whatever is available. But in next 3-4 years they should indigenize all of the imported subsystems.
Bharat forge and Ordinance factories can manufacture the barrels. They should encourage Pvt companies and academia to develop most of the sub systems. But imports offer some advantages for the few.

 

[sanket]

LT Commences 'manufacturing'? or just 'screw driver assembly'? Turret is Belgian Cockerill with 105mm gun & engine is Cummins from USA - so what is LT manufacturing - gearbox, steering, braking system, suspension system, turret rotating drive, tracks, drive sprocket, rolling wheels, periscopes, smoke grenade launchers, Active Protection System, CBRN Protection System, auxiliary power system, air conditioning system, Oxygen generating system, Fire suppressor system, ATGM launcher, UAV launcher?
How much benefit LT will pass on due to cost saving in using indigenous items & how much will they charge - Rs 100 Crores/unit? Then why not import the K21-105 Light Tank directly from SK @ Rs 27.45 Crore apiece i/o screw driver assembly of CKD kits by LT-Gujarat who will charge a bumper 300% margin under the ATMANIRBHAR excuse? Or wait for Light Tank offers 'manufactured' by Bharat Forge, Tata & MM - they will be able to supply under Rs 30 Crore apiece!
And what is this LT's 'collaboration' with DRDO - the DRDO name plate - just like in ATAGs?

The simple reality is that if we want a quick light tank then it will have to have some imported equipment and technology to build up a unit of 60 tanks as an emergency procurement.

This gives us enough time to develop and manufacture those imported technology and equipment with an indigenous version for the much larger order of 354 tanks.

 

[Satya Dev]

India should buy the first batch of 60 tanks with some imported technology and equipment in order to give us the quick capability and being able to deploy it straight away.

That will give us enough time to design, develop and manufacture an indigenous version of those foreign parts and technology for the much larger order of 354 tanks.

We should also think about deploying these tanks in other areas across the country and using them against the Maoists, terrorists and militants inside India which is causing problems.