As of September 2025, India’s search for a high-altitude armoured solution has entered a decisive phase.. In Ladakh and Arunachal, India’s heavy tanks like the T-90 and T-72 have long struggled in thin air and rugged ridgelines. Meanwhile, China’s Type 15 light tank gave the PLA a clear edge. The big question has been: what is India’s answer? The Zorawar tank is that answer.
Named after General Zorawar Singh, the legendary Dogra commander, it symbolises more than steel and firepower. It reflects India’s determination to field an indigenous, agile, and high-altitude combat vehicle built for the Himalayas.
For me, the Zorawar tank is not just another defence project. It marks a turning point in India’s mountain warfare doctrine, and here you will find exactly why it matters, how it was built, and where it stands today.
Why the Zorawar Tank Matters
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has already deployed the Type 15 light tank in Tibet, giving China a mobility edge in thin-air conditions. India could not afford to fall behind. The answer had to be indigenous, agile, and powerful enough for both Ladakh’s ridgelines and riverine zones like Pangong Tso.
The Zorawar tank, developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under Make in India, is that answer. At around 25 tonnes, it is compact, air-transportable, and amphibious, qualities that make it uniquely suited for India’s geography.
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Development Timeline: From Concept to Prototype
- March 2022 – Development sanctioned, with design finalised in record time.
- July 2024 – Prototype unveiled and tested in both the desert and the Ladakh sectors.
- December 2024 – High-altitude trials in Nyoma (4,200 m) proved its mobility and airlift capability.
- September 2025 – The second prototype rolled out with major upgrades to suspension, cooling, and sensors, beginning Army user trials.
- 2027 (planned) – Initial induction of 59 units, scaling up to 354 tanks for multiple regiments.
Unlike earlier Indian armoured projects, Zorawar’s timeline has been compressed deliberately to counter the Chinese Type 15 deployment.
These 12 to 18-month user trials, now underway, will put the tank through every possible test, including summer heat, winter snow, deserts, and river crossings.
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Zorawar Light Tank Specifications and Features
Mobility
- Weight: ~25 tonnes, enabling air transport by C-17 and C-130 aircraft.
- Engine: Cummins VTA903E-T760 diesel (760 hp) with RENK HMPT-800 transmission.
- Power-to-weight ratio: ~30 hp/tonne, giving strong agility.
- Amphibious capability for riverine operations like Pangong Tso.
This dual capability of mountain climbing and water crossing makes Zorawar one of the few tanks worldwide optimised for such diverse environments.
Firepower
- Main Gun: 105 mm Cockerill 3105 turret, capable of firing APFSDS, HESH, and ATGMs.
- Secondary: 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon station plus 7.62 mm coaxial MG.
- Programmable smart munitions for bunkers, armour, and drones.
Protection
- Modular armour package, scalable to mission needs.
- Active Protection System (APS) to intercept anti-tank missiles.
- Laser warning sensors and smoke launchers for layered defence.
Electronics and AI Systems
- Safran Paseo sights, thermal imagers, and hunter-killer fire control.
- AI-enabled threat detection and counter-drone systems.
- Network-centric integration with UAVs and loitering munitions.
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Zorawar vs Type 15: The Himalayan Contest
| Feature | Zorawar Tank (India) | Type 15 (China) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ~25 tonnes | 33 to 36 tonnes |
| Engine Power | 760 hp | ~1,000 hp |
| Amphibious Capability | Yes (river/lake ops) | Limited |
| Firepower | 105 mm | 105 mm |
| Protection | APS + modular armour | ERA + APS |
| Terrain Testing | Ladakh & Arunachal | Tibet |
What sets Zorawar apart, in my view, is context. It is tested in India’s own high-altitude battlefields, refined through Army feedback, and easier to airlift in crises. The Chinese Type 15 may boast more horsepower, but Zorawar has been built and tuned for the Himalayas.
In fact, this direct comparison with the Type 15 shows that India is no longer reactive but proactive in shaping its mountain warfare doctrine.
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Role in the Indian Army
- Rapid Deployment: Can be airlifted to forward posts within hours.
- High-Altitude Operations: Performs where T-90s struggle in thin air.
- Riverine Warfare: Amphibious edge for Pangong Tso and Arunachal valleys.
- PLA Countermeasure: Designed specifically to match and outpace the Type 15.
- Doctrinal Shift: India moves from heavy-only armour to a layered armour mix.
Procurement and Induction Plans
- Initial Order: 59 tanks confirmed.
- Future Scale: Up to 354 units across six regiments.
- Budget: ₹2,343 crore under Make-I procurement.
- Induction Timeline: Full deployment by 2027, pending successful trials.
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FAQs on the Zorawar Tank
1. What is the current status of the Zorawar tank?
As of September 2025, the second prototype has rolled out, and user trials have begun. Induction is targeted for 2027.
2. How many Zorawar tanks will India have?
An initial 59 are ordered, with a total fleet size of 354 projected.
3. Is the Zorawar tank better than the Chinese Type 15?
Both mount 105 mm guns, but Zorawar is lighter, amphibious, AI-enabled, and terrain-tested in Ladakh, giving it an edge in India’s conditions.
4. What is the Zorawar tank’s operational range?
While exact figures remain classified, the tank is optimised for long endurance over high-altitude and riverine terrain.
Conclusion: Built for the Himalayas, Built for Bharat
For me, the Zorawar tank symbolises a turning point in India’s armoured doctrine. Instead of trying to force heavy platforms into the mountains, we are now fielding a machine designed for them from the ground up.
With the second prototype entering Army trials in September 2025, India is on the threshold of deploying a tank that is indigenous, agile, and combat-ready for the Himalayas. By 2027, this vehicle will stand guard on our toughest frontiers, not just as a deterrent but as a decisive instrument of warfighting.
In the years to come, Zorawar may well be remembered not just as a light tank but as a doctrine in steel, proving that India can innovate for its own challenges and lead in future high-altitude warfare.
In my view, Zorawar is India’s message to both allies and adversaries that no frontier is too high and no challenge too great when innovation meets necessity.