What is a Light Tank?
A light tank is a type of tank that was originally created for quick manoeuvres both inside and outside of battle, outmanoeuvring bigger tanks. Its smaller size, thinner armour, and weaker main gun are designed for superior tactical mobility, simplicity in logistics, and transport. They are mostly used by expeditionary forces for screening, armoured reconnaissance, skirmishing, artillery observation, and supporting landing operations in a fire support role when larger, heavier tanks are not available or have trouble functioning safely or effectively.
A key component of the pre-World War II army buildup was the fast light tank. It was anticipated that these tanks would be used to take advantage of breaks in the enemy lines caused by slower, heavier tanks in order to sabotage communications and supply routes. During this time, several other tiny tank designs and “tankettes,” including the “combat automobile,” were created
Also Read: Top 10 Tanks Used By The Indian Army
Early light tank designs employed tracks to improve cross-country mobility but were often better equipped and protected than armoured cars. The light tank has been used in a variety of roles, including the support of light airborne or amphibious forces and reconnaissance. It is one of the few tank variants to have survived the development of the main battle tank, in which technological advancements have rendered all previous weight variants obsolete. Due to its instant availability and more cost-effective option to creating and fielding a pure light tank, modified IFVs are filling these duties in several militaries.
Role of Light Weight Tank
In expeditionary duties and circumstances where all significant threats have been neutralised and excessive weight in armour and armament would merely restrict mobility and increase operating costs, the modern light tank is a supplement to the main battle tank. They have additionally been utilised for infantry support and reconnaissance.
Counter measure
Modern light tanks typically have modular armour, sometimes with up to three variants. The V-shaped hull is far more blast-resistant than the flat hull required for amphibious light tanks to plane across the water’s surface. It has been proposed that once the light tanks land and before they come into contact with explosive devices, underbelly armour appliqué could be used.
Weapons
A huge vehicle is required to transport a gun that can reasonably engage current tanks at range. Caliber and muzzle velocity are commonly multiplied to determine gun weight. Muzzle velocity is frequently sacrificed by large calibre guns on light tanks to reduce weight. The power and/or accuracy of these guns are insufficient to effectively engage heavier vehicles at a distance, even though they are effective against close-range targets.
Why light tank is significant for the Indian Army?
Lightweight tanks have always been needed by the Indian Army, but since the Indian-Chinese standoff along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh in 2020, the requirement has become more pressing. India possessed T-72 and T-90 tanks, which were heavier, on the battlefield at the time.
The Army had “released a Request for Information (RFI) for 200 wheeled and 100 tracked light weight tanks” when the Mountain Divisions were being established in 2009. The DRDO was reportedly in talks with the Indian private company Larsen & Toubro for a project to transform the K9 “Vajra” 155 mm self-propelled howitzer into a 35-tonne light tank after the standoff broke out in 2020. After delivering the final 100 K9 Vajra howitzers as part of a contract given in 2017, L&T was reported to still be in discussions with the DRDO about the tank conversion project by February 2021.
Also Read: Indian Army To Order 100 K9 Vajra Howitzers Amidst Tensions With China
To enhance its capabilities for mountain combat, the Army published an RFI two months later for 350 25-tonne lightweight tanks and sought vendors for the same. Along with the possibilities for domestic development, Russia has in August 2020 proposed to India a potential procurement proposal for 18-tonne Sprut SDM1 light tanks. In June 2021, India expressed interest in Sprut, and later that summer, it was given the chance to watch the Russian light tank’s trials.
10 Facts of Light Weight Tanks joining the Indian Army.
- According to reports, India is considering purchasing Russian-made Sprut-SDM1 light tanks to combat China’s challenging terrain close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border.
- With a 125mm main gun and the firepower of a major combat tank, the Sprut-SDM1 is the only light amphibious fighting vehicle in existence.
- Another unusual possibility is the ability to fire a cannon while floating.
- The Turkish Kaplan MT medium tank and the Chinese Type 15 light tank are two further items that can be compared to their Russian counterparts.
- Both of these tanks use 105mm main cannons, in contrast to Sprut’s 125mm main gun.
- The Sprut-SDM1 also has the ability to fire guided missiles and is equipped with a lethal arsenal that includes a 125mm gun, a 7.62mm remote-controlled machine gun, and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.
- While the roof-mounted machine gun can take out low-flying helicopters, the tank’s onboard guided missile weapon system can attack armoured targets up to 5 kilometres distant, including those outfitted with explosive reactive armour (ERA).
- The Sprut can be carried by military cargo planes, landing ships, or parachuted with a crew inside of it. It can go 500 kilometres without refuelling.
- The state-run Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Larson & Toubro were reportedly in talks to convert the K9 Vajra SPH into a light or medium-weight tank. There hasn’t been any more progress in this area, though.
- According to reports, Hanwha Defence is supplying the Indian Army with its K21-105 light tank. With a 105 mm turret that can elevate to almost 42 degrees, helpful for firing at targets on higher slopes, and a 10-degree depression angle, this light tank is a strong system. For the K21-105 light tank, L&T is likely seeking a new partnership with Hanwha Defense.
If you liked the article do share it with your friends. If you are preparing for defence exams and SSB Interviews, SSBCrackExams is providing a number of courses and study material. Join today and boost up your preparation.
To crack the SSB Interview, You can join our SSB interview live classes batch and we recommend you to Enroll SSB INTERVIEW ONLINE COURSE. Trusted by thousands of defence aspirants.
Also Read:
