Bot: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

2022-12-15T03:21:52Z

robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

New page

{{Short description|Indian tank}}
{{Orphan|date=December 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2021}}

{{Infobox weapon
| name = Zorawar
| image =
| image_size = 300
| caption = Arjun MK1
| type = [[Light tank]]
| is_vehicle = yes
| origin = India

| designer = * [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]]
* [[Larsen & Tourbo]]
| design_date = 2022
| manufacturer = [[DRDO]] & [[Larsen & Toubro|L&T]]
| unit_cost =
| production_date = 2024
| number = 350
| crew = 3
| length =
| width =
| height =
| weight = 25 tonne
| clearance =
| armour =
| secondary_armament =
| engine =
| fuel_capacity =
| transmission =
| suspension =
| speed =
| pw_ratio =
| vehicle_range =
| is_UK = yes
}}
The '''Zorawar''' ({{lang-pa|ਜ਼ੋਰਾਵਰ|translation=brave and strong}}) is an Indian [[tank]]. It is a cross between an [[armoured fighting vehicle]] and an Indian [[light tank]] (AFV-ILT), with a high [[power-to-weight ratio]] and substantial firepower, protection, surveillance and communication capabilities. It was designed to provide the [[Indian Army]] with the versatility to execute operations in varying [[terrain]] against diverse threats and equipment profiles of its adversaries.<ref>{{Cite news|title='Zorawar' is India's answer to increased armoured threat on the Northern borders|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/aug/26/zorawar-is-indias-answer-to-increased-armoured-threat-on-the-northern-borders-2491711.html|publisher=TNIE|access-date=26 August 2022}}</ref>

== Light tanks in the Indian Army ==
[[Light tank]]s have got renewed focus and interest in recent times, primarily due to flaring security situations in remote and inaccessible areas ( like [[2020–2022 China–India skirmishes|2020-2022 India China skirmishes]]). In the extreme high altitudes of [[Ladakh]], it is very difficult to operate medium tanks, like [[T-72]] and [[T-90]], or heavy/[[Main battle tank|Main Battle Tanks]] like [[Arjun (tank)|Arjun Mk1/Arjun Mk2]] which were neither built nor equipped to handle the harsh conditions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=EurAsian Times |date=2020-08-07 |title=Heavy-Weight T-90 Tanks Deployed In Ladakh Not To Defend But To Threaten Chinese Territories - Experts |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/heavy-weight-t-90-tanks-deployed-in-ladakh-not-to-defend-but-to-threaten-chinese-territories-us-experts/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Challenges in operating at high altitudes ===
There are various challenges in operating at high altitudes. Conventional military platforms like [[tank]]s, [[infantry fighting vehicle]]s [[Infantry fighting vehicle|(IFV]]), [[Self-propelled artillery|self propelled artillery]] etc. are not always able to generate enough power to maneuver due to rarefied air and lack of oxygen, or, face other logistical and operational challenges.<ref>{{Citation |title=Cold-weather warfare |date=2022-07-27 |url=https://en.bharatdata.org/w/index.php?title=Cold-weather_warfare&oldid=1100655727 |work=Bharatpedia |language=en |access-date=2022-08-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-23 |title=Explained: Why high-altitude warfare is challenging, and how soldiers are trained |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/india-china-border-dispute-why-high-altitude-warfare-is-challenging-how-soldiers-are-trained-6471532/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> This was seen in [[United States invasion of Afghanistan|US invasion of Afghanistan]], [[Operation Meghdoot]], [[Siachen conflict|India Pakistan Siachen Conflict]], [[Kargil War]], and now again with [[2020–2022 China–India skirmishes|Galwan Conflict]].

=== Background for light tank requirement ===
Deploying such platforms in extreme altitudes require special modifications, special types of fuel, etc. which further puts stress on the logistics of the sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pathak |first=Pravin |date=2020-09-27 |title=T-90 and T-72, Bhishma tanks deployed in Ladakh, How did India get the T-90 tanks? |url=https://www.ayupp.com/myindia/t-90-and-t-72-bhishma-tanks-deployed-in-ladakh-16012.html |access-date=27 August 2022 |website=ayupp|language=en}}</ref> In fact, the [[K9 Thunder|K9 Vajra]] [[Self-propelled artillery|self propelled howitzers]] that India deployed in Ladakh and Leh in response to Chinese incursions and aggressions <ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=2020-08-31 |title=China controls 1,000 sq. km of area in Ladakh |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/china-controls-1000-sq-km-of-area-in-ladakh-say-intelligence-inputs/article32490453.ece |access-date=2022-08-27 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> had to be specially modified, so that they could function properly in the high altitudes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=EurAsian Times |date=2022-01-25 |title=Indian Army To Acquire 200 More K9 Vajra (Thunder) Howitzers Post Successful Deployment In Ladakh — Reports |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/indian-army-to-acquire-200-more-k9-vajra-thunder-howitzers/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News |language=en-US}}</ref>

Also, the Indian Army found out, that the Chinese side had deployed [[Type 15 tank]], which had significant advantage over the assets Indian Army was fielding at the extreme heights of [[Galwan River|Galwan]] valley.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Satam |first=Parth |date=2022-07-01 |title=Battling China - As India Hunts For 'Mountain Tanks', General Dynamics To Supply US Army With Its 1st Light Tank In Decades -- Reports |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/battling-china-as-india-hunts-for-mountain-tanks-us-army/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Development ===
This project of Light Tanks has been named after [[General]] [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria]], who led [[Zorawar Singh Kahluria#Tibet expedition|1841 Military Expedition]] to [[Mount Kailash|Kailash]] [[Lake Manasarovar|Mansrovar]] during [[Sino-Sikh War]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Army to get light tank, `Zorawar’ soon |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/indian-army-to-get-light-tank-zorawar-soon/2645647/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref> After news of deployment of ZTZ-04A Chinese Light Tanks at Ladakh sector,Indian Army wanted to operate [[light tank]]s in Himalayan theatres, where they will be easy to operate, maintain, light and maneuverable without sacrificing firepower.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dutta |first=Amrita Nayak |date=2021-04-23 |title=Army wants around 350 light tanks to sharpen its mountain warfare edge amid Ladakh stalemate |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-wants-around-350-light-tanks-to-sharpen-its-mountain-warfare-edge-amid-ladakh-stalemate/644727/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Chinese military buildup at Eastern Ladakh includes over 300 tanks|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/chinese-military-buildup-at-eastern-ladakh-includes-over-300-tanks/681346|access-date=13 November 2020|publisher=TOI}}</ref> Initially, Indian Army intended to procure these light tanks from Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-09 |title=Russia to Pitch Lightweight ‘Sprut’ Tank to Indian Army |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/12/09/russia-sprut-tank-india/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref> Army has finalized the general staff quality requirements and will approach the defense ministry in September 2022 for the Acceptance of Necessity (AON) <ref>{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=2022-08-26 |title=Eye on China threat, Army launches Project Zorawar to deploy light tanks for mountain warfare |url=https://theprint.in/defence/eye-on-china-threat-army-launches-project-zorawar-to-deploy-light-tanks-for-mountain-warfare/1101241/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=PTI |date=2022-08-26 |title=Project Zorawar: Army to deploy light tanks in high-altitude areas in Northern sector |url=https://theprint.in/india/project-zorawar-army-to-deploy-light-tanks-in-high-altitude-areas-in-northern-sector/1102217/ |access-date=2022-08-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

The project, which has already received in-principle approval, is planned to be procured under the ‘Make-I’ acquisition category of the Defense Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2020, in line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peri |first=Dinakar |date=2022-08-26 |title=Army accelerates procurement of light tank ‘Zorawar’ for LAC |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-army-accelerates-procurement-of-light-tank-zorawar-for-lac/article65814103.ece |access-date=2022-08-31 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

On 16 September 2022, it was confirmed that [[Larsen & Toubro|L&T]] has been selected as the development partner of this homegrown "mountain tank" which is to be rolled out by 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dangwal |first=Ashish |date=2022-09-20 |title=India's first Prototype Of 'Mountain Tank' To Be Rolled Out By 2023; L&T Says Selected As Development Partner |url=https://eurasiantimes.com/indias-1st-prototype-of-mountain-tank-to-be-rolled-out-by-2023/ |access-date=2022-09-22 |website=Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Proposed design ===
The new light tank is supposed to be a light and maneuverable without sacrificing firepower. Its capabilities will also be supplemented by Artificial Intelligence, integration with swarm drones for higher situational awareness, loitering ammunition for high lethality and active protection system as a shield against modern anti armor systems.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Army to get light tank, `Zorawar’ soon |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/indian-army-to-get-light-tank-zorawar-soon/2645647/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Financialexpress |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[K21]]
* [[Type 15 tank]]
* [[2S25 Sprut-SD]]
* [[Type 15 tank]]

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Light tanks of India]]

Zorawar LT - Revision history

Bot: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.