Indian Army to deplioy light tank, `Zorawar’ soon


Indian Light Tanks ‘Zorawar’: In order to improve its capabilities in mountain warfare, the Indian Army is modernizing its equipment.

Key Points:

  • The Indian Army, with the experience of deploying armour at an altitude of 15,000 ft. to outmaneuver the movement of Chinese forces during the stand-off in eastern Ladakh is prioritising the procurement of the indigenous Indian light tank named ‘Zorawar’, for deployment in the mountains.
  • Apart from the light tank, the Army will also induct niche technologies such as loitering munitions, anti-drone capabilities and next generation Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
  • The fire power of the existing fleet of T-72, T-90 and indigenous Arjun tanks are being upgraded.
  • The project, which has already received in-principle approval, is planned to be procured under the ‘Make-I’ acquisition category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020, in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
  • The Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is expected next month.

Significance:

  • The recent experiences along the northern borders have shown that armour equipment profile is one of the most prominent factors in defining the operational capability of land forces.
  • The threat to Indian Northern borders have increased with China inducting  a large number of state-of-the-art medium and light tanks.
  • Following the clash on the Kailash range on the south bank of Pangong Tso in August 2020, India and China had positioned tanks on the mountain peaks at the height of the protracted stalemate in Eastern Ladakh. The tanks were later withdrawn as part of the withdrawal from both banks of the lake.
  • While the huge tank fleet consisting of T-72 and T-90 tanks were effective in obtaining tactical surprise over the enemy, the heavy tanks were primarily made for operations in plains and desert terrains, and thus had some limitations when deployed in the Rann of Kutch's marginal terrain.
  • Therefore, it has become an operational necessity to procure a lighter tank to overcome these limitations, and design and develop it indigenously.

Note:

  • As per official reports, China, in the last two years has deployed the third-generation modern light tank ZTQ 15 (Type 15), latest ZTL-11 wheeled Armoured Personnel Carriers and the CSK series of assault vehicles along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

About Zoravar:

  • These light tanks to be procured under ‘Project Zorawar’ are named after legendary Zorawar Singh, a military general who served under Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu.
  • They will have equal firepower as the current ones.
  • These tanks are designed to operate in varying terrain from high altitude areas and marginal terrains to island territories.
  • They will be highly transportable for rapid deployment to meet any operational situation.
  • They will feature niche technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), drone integration, active protection systems, and a high degree of situational awareness.

Light tanks employed by the Indian army in the past:

The Army has in the past successfully utilized light tanks as force multipliers in a variety of combat situations.

  • They include the deployment of Stuart Tanks of 254 Indian Tank Brigade in the Battle of Kohima in World War II, at Naushera, Jhangar, Rajauri and most successfully at Zojila during the Indo-Pak war in 1947-48.


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