Second prototype of India's Zorawar light tank will enter state trials in September 2025. The trials are expected to last another 12-18 months and will include testing the vehicle in various high-altitude terrains, but the question remains whether India can catch up with the progress of China's equivalents.
This was confirmed by India's Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which also noted that the vehicle has already passed development and design trials. This brings the country one step closer to the planned induction of the tank into service in 2027.
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As for the second prototype of the Zorawar tank, it incorporates feedback and improvements requested by the army. These include upgraded observation and detection systems, suspension, and an improved engine cooling system.
These upgrades are crucial for mobility and performance in high-altitude regions. In fact, the Zorawar tank was specifically designed for operations under such conditions.
Because of the thin air at high elevations, the engines of India's T-72 and T-90 tanks cannot function properly. Moreover, mountainous terrain severely limits the maneuverability of traditional armored vehicles.
China has already solved this issue with its Type 15 light tank, weighing 33-36 tons and armed with a 105 mm gun. Over 500 units have already been produced.
In response, India considered several options, including russia's ill-fated Sprut-SD gun, but eventually decided to develop its own solution. The Zorawar tank makes use of existing technology, such as a modified chassis from South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzer and Belgium's Cockerill 3105 turret with a 105 mm L/53 gun.
The result is a 25-ton vehicle with a composite hull that reportedly provides enhanced protection. India has already placed an initial order for 59 Zorawar tanks, with a total requirement of 354 units, estimated to cost $2.1 billion.
High-altitude regions remain one of the few areas where light tanks have a clear niche. India emphasizes that the Zorawar tank can be airlifted aboard the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, unlike the heavier American M10 Booker gun, which weighs 38-42 tons.
Meanwhile, China is already working on hybrid main battle tanks capable of operating effectively in such extreme conditions. This suggests that lighter armored vehicles may not be sufficient for future conflicts in the region.
For now, however, hybrid armored vehicles remain in prototype stages, while the Zorawar tank holds an advantage with its lower weight, superior mobility in mountainous terrain, and the potential to offset lighter armor with an active protection system.
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