The Russia-Ukraine crisis has hampered India’s ‘Zorawar’ tank project, causing the release of the first prototype to be delayed. Due to supply chain difficulties caused by the war, it is now expected in January 2023, rather than mid-2023.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict has Impacted: ‘Zorawar’ Tank Project
According to sources in the defence and security establishment, “this delay arises from difficulties in obtaining critical components from various foreign countries, including European Union nations, which has led to challenges in the project’s progress.”
“Indian armoured vehicles are intricately linked to foreign supplies, encompassing critical components such as engines, electronics, and electrical systems,” he adds. The sources revealed the strategic vision, emphasising the necessity for a light, high-powered platform with an exceptional power-to-weight ratio, fearsome firepower, protection, surveillance, and seamless communication capabilities.
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According to reports, this was critical in providing the Indian Army with the agility needed for operations across varied terrains, fighting a variety of threats and enemies’ equipment characteristics. The Armoured Fighting Vehicle-Indian Light Tank (AFV-ILT) evolved as an operational mandate, promising versatility across a range of roles and backed by specialist technology.
The sources went on to describe Zorawar’s particular technical trajectory, foreseeing its integration with speciality breakthroughs such as Artificial Intelligence, seamless Drone integration, an Active Protection System, and heightened Situational Awareness.
What is the Zorawar Tank Project?
The relevance of the ‘Zorawar’ tank project stems from its projected deployment in a variety of terrains, ranging from high altitudes to marginal areas and island territories. The Indian Army began the ‘Zorawar’ project in response to the demand for adaptable armoured vehicles in response to evolving combat dynamics and border tensions.
The tank, which weighs less than 25 tonnes, is designed to meet these requirements while also including critical features such as agility, high power-to-weight ratio, formidable firepower, and protection, surveillance, and communication systems.
The ‘Zorawar’ project was inspired by the limits of existing tanks such as the T-72, T-90, and T-70, which were designed primarily for flat terrains and deserts. These tanks struggled in high-altitude environments and difficult terrain, such as the Rann of Kutch. The ‘Zorawar’ tank project attempted to address this void by giving the Indian Army with a lightweight vehicle capable of performing admirably in difficult circumstances.
Despite the obstacles imposed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the ‘Zorawar’ tank project remains critical for the modernization and strategic capabilities of the Indian Army. This project matches with India’s evolving defence demands and improves operational flexibility by assuring adaptability, advanced technology integration, and optimal performance across varied terrains.
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