The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) are set to conduct a key series of firing trials of an indigenous Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) from the Zorawar light tank in Rajasthan’s desert ranges.
The upcoming tests aim to validate not only the missile’s lethality but also its seamless integration with the Zorawar’s advanced fire-control system. Parameters such as accuracy, target engagement, guidance stability, and overall reliability under battlefield-like conditions will be closely monitored.
Developed under the “Make-I” category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure, the Zorawar light tank is a joint effort between DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) and L&T. With a combat weight of 25 tons, it is designed for high-altitude and riverine terrain, particularly suited for deployment in sensitive regions like Eastern Ladakh.
The tank’s primary weapon is a 105mm Cockerill gun, but the addition of an indigenous ATGM significantly enhances its ability to neutralise heavily armoured targets at extended ranges. The trials are a crucial step toward achieving full operational readiness for the Zorawar platform.
Beyond technical validation, the integration highlights India’s progress in developing self-reliant combat systems and reducing import dependence. A successful outcome will accelerate the tank’s induction into service and strengthen India’s defence industrial base, reinforcing the country’s ambition to emerge as a global arms exporter.
