LEH, October 15 — The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in tandem with the Indian Army on Wednesday culminated comprehensive high-altitude firing, cold-start mobility, and trench-crossing user trials of the indigenous 25-tonne light tank 'Zorawar' across the rugged terrain of Eastern Ladakh above 15,000 feet.
Developed jointly by DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) and industrial partner Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the Zorawar tank incorporates a high-pressure 105mm rifled main gun, integrated loitering munition canisters, an active protection system (APS) countering anti-tank guided missiles, and advanced thermal optics calibrated for sub-zero alpine conditions.
Military commanders highlighted that unlike heavier 45-to-50-tonne main battle tanks like the T-90 Bhishma, the Zorawar's agile power-to-weight ratio and amphibious river-crossing capability allow immediate strategic airlift aboard Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transports to rapidly counter armoured deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The strategic doctrine of high-altitude armoured warfare along the LAC, the historical legacy of General Zorawar Singh (the Dogra military strategist who conquered Ladakh and Western Tibet in the 1830s), the role of CVRDE in indigenous AFV design, and Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) reforms represent crucial knowledge areas for UPSC Civil Services (GS-III: Internal Security) and Defence recruitment tests (CDS/NDA/CAPF).