DRDO and L&T to Conduct Indigenous ATGM Test-Firing from Zorawar Light Tank in Rajasthan Desert Trials
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is preparing to conduct significant firing trials of a domestically developed Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) using the Zorawar light tank in the desert ranges of Rajasthan.
The forthcoming tests are designed to assess the missile's effectiveness and its integration with the advanced fire-control system of the Zorawar. Key performance indicators such as accuracy, target engagement, guidance stability, and overall dependability in conditions simulating battlefields will be scrutinized.
The Zorawar light tank, created under the "Make-I" category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure, is a result of the collaboration between DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) and L&T. Weighing 25 tons, it is engineered for high-altitude and riverine environments, making it particularly appropriate for deployment in sensitive areas like Eastern Ladakh.
Fitted with a 105mm Cockerill gun as its primary armament, the incorporation of a homegrown ATGM enhances the tank's capacity to eliminate heavily armored targets over long distances. These trials are essential for the Zorawar platform to achieve full operational capability.
More than just technical validation, the integration underscores India's strides in developing autonomous combat systems and reducing reliance on imports. A successful series of trials would hasten the tank’s entry into active service and bolster India’s defense manufacturing sector, aligning with the nation's aspirations to become a prominent player in the global arms market.
