Preparing to tackle the threat on the Chinese front, India will begin trials of the Zorawar light tank, being developed by DRDO and Larsen and Toubro, from the end of this year.
The indigenous tanks would be operated extensively in the desert sector before taking them to the high altitude locations of Ladakh.
“We are going to carry out the trials of Zorawar by the end of this year. The trials will be first held in the desert sector, after which they will be taken to the high altitude areas of Ladakh,” senior government sources told India Today.
The light tank project is being undertaken by the Indian Army to improve its mobility and manoeuvring abilities in Ladakh sector, where the Chinese have also brought in their light tanks in large numbers, they said. To tackle threats from China, the Indian Army had mooted the idea of having similar abilities. The project was cleared recently by the Defence Acquisition Council.
DRDO is working with L&T on the project to build the 25 tonne light tank, which would be capable of moving fast and easily in the high mountainous terrain. The project would be undertaken under Make in India initiative.
The Army proposed to acquire indigenous light tanks for quicker deployment and movement in high-altitude areas. These tanks would be used to counter the Chinese deployment of a large number of similar armoured columns along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
An active protection system is designed to protect combat vehicles from anti-tank guided missiles and projectiles.
The Army also wants the light tank to be amphibious, so it can be deployed across riverine regions, including the Pangong Tso Lake in eastern Ladakh. The Indian forces have also deployed huge numbers of tanks to counter the Chinese who have come up with light tanks in that area.
Source - India Today
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