The Zorawar light tank has encountered a potential schedule extension after the Indian Army requested protection levels exceeding STANAG Level 4. Developers must now improve survivability without exceeding the approximately 25-tonne weight threshold considered important for mountain warfare and strategic air mobility. The program originated following China’s deployment of Type 15 light tanks during the 2020 Ladakh confrontation. India intends to procure 354 vehicles, beginning with 59 tanks from L&T’s Hazira facility. The platform was developed in around 19 months and is intended specifically for high-altitude operations. Its armament includes a 105mm autoloading gun in a Belgian John Cockerill 3105 turret, a 7.62mm coaxial weapon, a 12.7mm remotely operated station and twin Nag Mk 2 anti-tank missile launchers. The tank uses a 760-hp Cummins engine and Renk transmission and can reach 70 km/h with a 450km range. Keeping the vehicle below 25 tonnes also supports wider airlift options, whereas additional weight could restrict transport to larger aircraft such as the A400M, Il-76 and C-17.
