India’s border tensions and challenging terrain have long demanded a combat vehicle capable of delivering both agility and firepower at high altitudes. Enter the Zorawar tank — India’s answer to modern mountain warfare. Designed to meet the unique demands of the Indian Army in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and riverine zones like Pangong Tso, this tank is not just another machine; it’s a strategic leap in battlefield readiness.
The Zorawar tank stands as a testament to indigenous innovation under the “Make in India” initiative. Developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the light tank was named after General Zorawar Singh, the legendary Dogra commander known for his Himalayan campaigns. But beyond its name, the Zorawar is loaded with modern tech, rugged adaptability, and mission-focused design that directly addresses evolving geopolitical threats along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
As China’s PLA strengthens its positions with platforms like the Type 15, India needed a fast, indigenous solution, and the Zorawar tank delivers. Designed for Eastern Ladakh’s rugged ridgelines and rapid-response scenarios, it thrives where heavier platforms fail.
For defence enthusiasts, analysts, and citizens alike, Zorawar isn’t just a tank — it’s a symbol of India’s evolving military modernisation.
What is the Zorawar Tank?
The Zorawar tank is India’s first purpose-built light combat vehicle designed specifically for high-altitude and amphibious warfare.
1. Purpose and Role
Unlike traditional heavy tanks, it is compact, air-transportable, and designed to operate in oxygen-deficient regions. With a total weight of around 25 tonnes, it fills a vital capability gap for the Indian Army.
2. Development Timeline
The tank’s development began in March 2022 and achieved its prototype rollout by July 2024 — a record timeline. It has since undergone internal and high-altitude testing phases.
Zorawar Light Tank Specifications and Features
1. Mobility and Design
Zorawar weighs just 25 tonnes and is powered by a 1,000 hp Cummins engine, giving it a high 40 hp/tonne ratio. It hits speeds of 60 km/h on-road and 40 km/h off-road. Its 8.5 m length and 3.2 m width suit narrow, mountainous terrain. Lightweight construction enables transport via road, rail, or airlift, ideal for rapid deployment.
2. Armament
The tank mounts a 105 mm rifled gun (John Cockerill, Belgium), firing HESH, APFSDS, and anti-tank guided missiles. Secondary weapons include a 12.7 mm remote-controlled gun and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun for close combat and support roles.
3. Protection Systems
Zorawar features modular composite armour and an Active Protection System (APS) to intercept incoming threats. Additional defences include laser warning sensors and smoke grenade launchers for multi-layered battlefield protection.
4. Electronics and Sensors
Equipped with Safran Paseo sights, thermal imaging, and a hunter-killer fire control system. AI-enabled targeting automates threat detection and engagement. The tank also uses software-defined radios and supports integration with UAVs and loitering munitions.
5. Amphibious Capability
Zorawar’s low silhouette and stealth features allow it to cross rivers and lakes like Pangong Tso undetected. Amphibious capability gives it a critical edge in high-altitude, water-dominated terrains of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
6. Advanced Countermeasures
An integrated anti-drone system allows Zorawar to autonomously detect and neutralise UAV threats. Combined with AI-powered sensors, it’s ready for hybrid warfare across land and air domains.
Zorawar Tank Testing and Development Timeline
1. Internal Trials
Between January and September 2024, the tank was tested at L&T’s Hazira facility and Mahajan Firing Range, validating mobility and firepower.
2. High-Altitude Trials
In December 2024, trials in Nyoma, Ladakh (4,200m) confirmed the tank’s airlift capability and combat performance in thin-air conditions.
3. Second Prototype & Upgrades
A second prototype, unveiled in June 2025, introduced improved suspension, cooling, and sensor systems.
4. User Trials
User trials begin in July 2025, across seasonal and terrain-specific zones, including riverine tests. Duration: 12–18 months.
Zorawar Tank Range and Role in the Indian Army
1. Operational Reach
While specific Zorawar tank range figures remain undisclosed, the tank is designed for long endurance over hostile terrain, especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
2. Tactical Role
It ensures rapid deployment, sustained operations, and river-crossing ability, making it ideal for forward operating posts.
3. Indian Army Integration
The tank bridges India’s need to counter China’s high-altitude edge with the Type 15. Zorawar meets and exceeds mobility and survivability needs for border tensions.
Zorawar Tank Order and Induction Plans
1. Procurement Status
The Indian Army has placed an initial order for 59 Zorawar light tanks with L&T.
2. Production Scale
Future acquisition includes 295 more tanks, totalling 354 units across six regiments. Value: ₹2,343 crore under “Make-I” procurement.
3. Induction Timeline
Full deployment is targeted for 2027, contingent on user trial success and logistics integration.
Zorawar vs Type 15: India vs China on the Roof of the World
1. Comparative Advantage
The Zorawar is lighter than China’s Type 15, which weighs 33–36 tonnes. It outpaces in airlift readiness, stealth, and sensor integration.
2. Real-World Testing
Unlike the Type 15, Zorawar has been tested in Ladakh, proving its reliability in extreme climates and high altitudes.
3. Indigenous Edge
Designed and built in India, Zorawar enhances self-reliance and opens up export potential for future defence partnerships.
FAQs
1. What is the status of the Zorawar tank?
As of mid-2025, it has completed its second prototype phase. User trials begin in July 2025, and induction is planned for 2027.
How many Zorawar tanks are there in India?
Currently, 59 units are ordered. The total projected fleet size is 354 tanks.
3. What is the difference between the Zorawar tank and the Chinese tank?
Zorawar is lighter, stealthier, amphibious, and designed for India’s high-altitude warfare. Type 15 lacks Indian terrain testing.
4. What is the difference between Zorawar and Type 15 tanks?
Though both have 105 mm guns, Zorawar’s APS, mobility, and sensor tech are superior and proven in Indian conditions.
Conclusion
The Zorawar tank symbolises India’s transformation in armoured warfare — from heavy, conventional machines to agile, terrain-optimised platforms. Designed with border readiness, Make in India ethos, and modern warfighting integration, Zorawar is not just a tank — it’s a combat-ready doctrine that aligns with India’s vision of future warfare.
Its success doesn’t lie merely in mobility specs or armour layers; it lies in its purpose — to fill a critical gap in India’s defence architecture where high-altitude agility, amphibious movement, and rapid airlift are not optional, but essential. The Zorawar tank represents a new kind of battlefield logic, where terrain dictates technology.
As tensions continue to simmer across the Himalayas, the Zorawar is more than a deterrent — it is a decisive response. With user trials on track, production pipelines initiated, and doctrinal relevance cemented, India is on the brink of deploying a tank that will dominate the mountains, not just defend them.
For those watching closely, the Zorawar is not just built for battle — it’s built for Bharat’s strategic tomorrow.