The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

It was reported in these columns earlier that the government had taken the decision to go for the indigenous 'Zorawar' tank to meet the Army's requirement of light tanks and the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) was taking up the grant of acceptance of necessity (AoN) for the armoured fighting vehicle-Indian light tank (AFV-ILT) under Project 'Zorawar', at a cost of around 17,500 crore.

The proposal was that 59 of the 354 light tanks, each weighing less than 25 tonnes with a high power-to-weight ratio as well as superior firepower and protection, will be reserved for the tanks developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the remaining 295 tanks will be manufactured under the 'Make-1' category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP). The DRDO said its first prototype light tank will roll out mid-2023.

These light tanks are meant for high-altitude warfare in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh as well as riverine areas like the Rann of Kutch which can be swiftly deployed after being transported by air.

The Army aims to have seven light tank regiments of around 315 tanks, with other 40-odd platforms in reserve, for which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had accorded its AoN

The Army had strongly pitched for all 354 tanks to be manufactured by the private sector under the Make-1 category for faster production and because of recurring problems of metallurgy, valves in similar DRDO products. The Army wanted the new light tanks to incorporate niche technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), drone integration, active protection system, high degree of situational awareness and the like in the fastest timeframe. But the DRDO said the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) were already working on a light tank prototype in conjunction with Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

The main features of Zorawar light tank include: a three-man crew; 105mm semi-automatic main gun with muzzle brake; aluminum alloy turret with 12.7 AP protection level; APFSDS, APDS, HESH ammunition; COTAC semi-automatic fire control system (FCS); stowing capacity - main gun (42 rounds), turret (10 rounds), ammunition compartment (32 rounds); Laser Range Finder (LRF) for accurate ranging; low-light level TV for commander and gunner; panoramic sight for commander, and amphibious capabilities.

The prototype Zorawar light tank is to begin rigorous high-altitude trials shortly for an extended period

Recent media reports indicate that the prototype Zorawar light tank is to begin trials shortly; rigorous high-altitude trials for an extended period. According to industry sources, the AI-enabled tank is agile and fitted with an active protection system, industry sources said. The report talks of developmental setbacks following troublesome negotiations with Germany over supplying the DRDO MTU 800-1,000hp water-cooled V8 high-altitude-optimised engines for the tank, which had to be eventually scrapped. Hence, a 1,000hp advanced combat engine from Cummins in the US was acquired to power the tank, which is armed with a 105mm gun acquired off-the-shelf from Belgium-based firm John Cockerill. The tank is integrated with tactical drones to provide situational awareness and loitering munitions capability.

The Army ultimately aims to have seven light tank regiments of around 315 tanks, with other 40-odd platforms in reserve, for which the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had accorded its AoN. The DRDO had shortlisted L&T as its developmental partner for the programme. After the trials, L&T will build 59 Zorawar tanks. The remaining 290-odd tanks are to be tendered out to other local manufacturers under DAP-2020s 'Make in India' category, according to news reports.

Here the question is if L&T can produce the balance of the 290-odd Zorawar tanks in a time-frame that meets the Army's requirements, why recruit other local manufacturers to start the development afresh, which would only cause delay? In fact, the project right from the beginning should have been given to the private sector, not the DRDO, as is the case in advanced countries?

During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the Indian Army had the French-built AMX light tanks which acquitted themselves with great utility and efficacy against the Chinese forces

During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, the Indian Army had the French-built AMX light tanks. These weighed 17 tonnes and acquitted themselves with great utility and efficacy against the Chinese forces in the Chushul sector, preventing the Chinese advance to Leh. Much later, the requirement of light tanks was toyed around but failed to gain prominence since almost all focus was towards Pakistan and the western borders, even though China was busy in slimy-slicing Indian Territory. However, the Chinese aggression in Eastern Ladakh, employing four motorised divisions, during April-May 2020 forced the Indian Army to move up T-90 and T-72 tanks to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) which are not suited for deployment in that terrain and altitude, causing avoidable wear and tear.

The Chinese have already deployed light tanks as part of the continuing standoff along the LAC. The government needs to pull out all stops to help the Indian Army equip seven regiments of the Zorawar light tanks. This would boost the operational capabilities in adapting to changing situations with alacrity and dynamism.