Indian Army continues to dream of light tanks
One contender for the Indian Army’s new light tank is Hanwha Defense’s K21-105, needed for operations in mountainous areas. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
India will adopt an indigenously designed light tank - or adopt one from overseas - to equip army forces in mountainous areas.
A light air-transportable and amphibious tank – under joint development by India’s government-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private vendor Larsen & Toubro – is competing against comparable models from Israel, South Korea and Russia to meet an Indian Army requirement for 350 units.
Industry sources at DefExpo 2022 said that a prototype of this light tank – named Zorawar – is likely to be ready for trials by late 2023. However, details of the DRDO-L&T collaboration remain opaque in terms of its design and series manufacture.
Significantly, if any of the three rival overseas light tank designs
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin wins deals for missiles and systems worth $5 billion]()
Lockheed Martin wins deals for missiles and systems worth $5 billion
There continues to be an insatiable desire for air-defence and air-launched missiles and systems in the US and worldwide. Lockheed Martin’s latest deals reinforce the demand and highlight the supply chain challenge for manufacturing solid rocket motors.
-
![Bahrain approved for $500 million HIMARS order as production surges]()
Bahrain approved for $500 million HIMARS order as production surges
Lockheed Martin’s M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is being widely ordered and deployed. The company has been working to ramp up production while continuing work to design and produce more potent missiles.
-
![Kongsberg Defence Australia cashes in with government support for exports]()
Kongsberg Defence Australia cashes in with government support for exports
Kongsberg Defence Australia is building on the supply of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) systems to Australia to win exports with the support of the government through its Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise and Global Supply Chain Program.
-
![Milrem THeMIS robot tests weapon firing to beyond one kilometre]()
Milrem THeMIS robot tests weapon firing to beyond one kilometre
The Milrem Robotics Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) has seen extensive service in Ukraine with an additional six ordered for Ukraine in May.
