India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed development trials of its new-generation Zorawar light tank and will begin user trials in September 2025, DRDO chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat said.
The Zorawar, developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is designed to meet the Indian Army’s requirement for a highly mobile, combat-capable platform suited to high-altitude and mountainous operations.
The program was initiated after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between India and China exposed the operational limitations of India’s heavier T-72 and T-90 tanks in high-altitude border regions. China’s deployment of its Type 15 light tank in the same year underscored the need for an Indian equivalent.
The Zorawar’s design prioritizes mobility in difficult terrain. It is powered by a 750-horsepower diesel engine from U.S.-based Cummins, with some reports suggesting a possible 1,000-horsepower variant. This delivers a power-to-weight ratio of about 30 horsepower per ton, enabling road speeds up to 65 kilometers per hour.
The tank is built on a newly designed tracked chassis with six road wheels per side, rubber tracks, and a fixed-cylinder hydropneumatic suspension for stability and off-road performance. It also features detachable floatation kits and a water-jet propulsion system, giving it amphibious capability, with a maximum fording depth of 1.5 meters.
The Zorawar mounts a Belgian John Cockerill 3105 two-person turret, armed with a 105mm high-pressure rifled gun capable of firing armor-piercing, high-explosive, and guided munitions. The turret incorporates an autoloader with capacity for 12 to 16 ready rounds. Elevation ranges from -10 to +42 degrees, and traverse is a full 360 degrees.
Secondary armament includes a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7mm NSVT heavy machine gun in a remote weapon station with an automatic fire-control system. Some configurations appear to feature an anti-tank guided missile launcher or twin loitering munition pods for close-range and anti-air applications.
Fire control is based on French systems, including the PASEO modular stabilized optronic sighting system for both commander and gunner, with hunter-killer capability and independent elevation and 360-degree rotation for the commander’s sight.
The turret can withstand 25mm cannon fire at 500 meters. The hull offers protection against 14.5mm heavy machine gun rounds. The tank can be fitted with modular add-on armor to meet NATO STANAG 4569 Level 4 ballistic standards.
Additional defensive features include a laser warning system linked to multi-purpose smoke grenade launchers, which can deploy obscurants or fragmentation grenades. DRDO has indicated that future upgrades may integrate an active protection system.
The Indian Army has placed an initial order for 59 Zorawar tanks, with a long-term plan that could see up to 300 units procured. Full induction is projected for 2027, with the goal of forming seven light tank regiments, each equipped with 45 vehicles.
DRDO describes the Zorawar as a major step in India’s efforts to field a domestically produced light tank, integrating advanced components and technology from multiple international sources. The design aims to combine mobility and firepower for operations in challenging terrain.
