Zorawar to Face Competition as AVNL Eyes Russian Collaboration for Light Tank Development

India's indigenous defence industry is gearing up for a new entrant as Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd (AVNL), a public sector firm, plans to collaborate with Russian entities Rosoboronexport (ROE) and High Precision Systems (HPC) to develop and manufacture a light tank for the Indian Armed Forces. This move could significantly impact the ongoing competition for fulfilling the Indian Army's need for 295 Light Tanks under the 'Make-I' category.

The proposed joint venture, with majority ownership by AVNL and India Optel Limited (IOL), is likely to leverage Russia's Sprut-SD technology to create a light tank that will directly rival the DRDO-L&T developed Zorawar Light Tank. While Zorawar has already begun trials and secured an initial order for 59 units, the remaining 300 tanks are up for grabs, and the entry of the Sprut-SD based tank could intensify the competition.

This development underscores India's growing focus on domestic defence production and strategic partnerships. The AVNL-led joint venture not only aims to cater to the Indian Army's requirements but also explore potential export opportunities for the indigenously developed Light Tank.

Indo-Russian Collaboration: A Strategic Advantage​

Experts believe that the Indo-Russian collaboration for light tank development is a positive step, given Russia's history of technology transfer and its willingness to share critical defence technologies without imposing restrictions. This contrasts with the approach of some Western partners like the US, who are often reluctant to transfer critical technologies.

India is currently pursuing a dual approach to meet its light tank requirements. One route involves indigenous development through the DRDO and L&T, while the other focuses on collaboration with foreign partners.

The recent unveiling of the indigenous Zorawar light tank, slated for commissioning in 2027, showcases India's progress in domestic manufacturing. However, the potential collaboration with Russia offers an additional avenue to acquire advanced technology and accelerate the development process.

Sprut-SD Technology: A Game-Changer​

Russia's Sprut-SD technology, which features gun stabilization in both elevation and azimuth, significantly enhances the combat capabilities of light tanks, especially in challenging terrains like high altitudes and mountainous regions. This technology is already familiar to the Indian armed forces, as it's used in India's T-72 and T-90 tanks.

The Sprut-SDM1, a light tank based on this technology, boasts impressive mobility features like amphibious capabilities, airlift compatibility, and parachute deployment. These features make it particularly suitable for deployment in mountainous regions like Kashmir and Ladakh.

 

[PKPRS]

Russian Sprut does not have any armour support, one single hit will kill entire crew inside, or drone can take it out easily

If we add Armor to Zorawar it will become a heavy tank as it already weighs close to 30 tons unless the armor is made of composite, I don’t know if we have that tech locally, also Zorowr is not amphibious either or at least not disclosed yet, Zorowar has to go a long way before acceptance, let’s see how it turns into.

 

[PKPRS]

Everything can be done. Don't worry.

The more you add the more heavy it will become.

 

[PKPRS]

In your essay you forget to about protection which sprut lacks

And so as Zorawar, Army has aske DRDO recently to add more Armor.

 

[PKPRS]

The Zorawar is also an amphibious tank. As for firing from inside water, that sounds like a really good idea, but historically, has proven to be a nightmare to execute properly.

Now, considering the fact that the Sprut has the same (larger and heavier) gun as the T-90, the fact that both it and the Zorawar have similar ranges and speeds, and the fact that the Sprut is considerably lighter, this suggests that the Sprut is lacking significantly when it comes to armour. That would be very bad for us.

DRDO or L&T haven’t uttered one word about Zorawar being Amphibious, driving the tank over 1MM rain puddle during the test in the video doesn’t make it amphibious, if you call that amphibious then kids push and go walker is amphibious, it needs to completely submerge into 10 or more feet water body and come out swimming to consider it as Amphibious, I have seen SPRUT doing that in videos where a transport jet para drops SPRUT into a lake with crew and the tank swims from the lake back to the shore.

 

[Instant Karma]

The more you add the more heavy it will become.

More powerful engine

 

[Anant]

DRDO or L&T haven’t uttered one word about Zorawar being Amphibious, driving the tank over 1MM rain puddle during the test in the video doesn’t make it amphibious, if you call that amphibious then kids push and go walker is amphibious, it needs to completely submerge into 10 or more feet water body and come out swimming to consider it as Amphibious, I have seen SPRUT doing that in videos where a transport jet para drops SPRUT into a lake with crew and the tank swims from the lake back to the shore.

Sir, there are a number of news articles stating that the tank is capable of amphibious operations, and the hull form also looks capable of that. Of course, without official confirmation, we can't say, but these articles are indicative at tye very least.

As for the articles, here is one:

Exclusive: India showcases light battle tank 'Zorawar' for high-altitude warfare

Jointly developed by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Limited, Zorawar is built to meet the Indian Army's requirements in the eastern Ladakh sector against Chinese deployment across the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

www.indiatoday.in

 

[Akshat]

More powerful engine

Yeah, that’s what they said about that junk Arjun 😂😂

 

[eagleVerified member]

That is not the case. They settled for 105 mm because only the k 21 chassis has been fitted with a 105 mm and light tanks have 105 mm including kaplan.

K21 also has a120 mmm gun with a 2.5 ton additional weight to the 105 mm gun turret.same turret from JC a varient used in our light tank.

 

[ramdas]

Why is the government wasting taxpayers money by duplicating the equipment?