Indian Light Tank: News & Discussion

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 25 Jan 2023 02:27

Zorawar Armoured Fighting Vehicle - Indian Light Tank (AFV - ILT)

Mods: Please update and/or add below, as and when information is available. Thank You.

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The Zorawar AFV-ILT is being developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Larsen & Tourbo (L&T). 350 examples are being planned for production, with a prototype vehicle expected to be rolled out in 2024.

This vehicle was borne out of a necessity to operate an AFV - ILT in the high altitude mountainous region of Ladakh, where traditional medium battle tanks like the T-72 or T-90 and the Arjun heavy battle tank would find it challenging to operate, due to the harsh weather conditions.

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Design Specifications
Tonnage: ~ 25 tonnes
Length: Not Known
Width: Not Known
Height: Not Known
Crew: Three
Armour: Kanchan (?) / ERA-NERA (?)
Armament: Not Known
Engine: Not Known
Operational Range: Not Known
Maximum Speed: Not Known

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Photographs

Image Source: https://twitter.com/Jenilpatel1811/stat ... dxbZYNUrkw --->

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 25 Jan 2023 02:30

Ramana-ji, as requested, new thread has been started. The above post will be further expanded upon, as & when new information comes out.

I did not find any reliable YouTube videos on the topic, but there are countless desi fan boy videos. They are not reliable by any stretch of the imagination and are largely the product of someone's imagination. Best avoided.

To All: If there is any reliable info or data, please do provide link. It will be added with acknowledgement. Thank You.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 25 Jan 2023 02:39

https://twitter.com/GenJamwal/status/16 ... 5595038721

It was a great day for the Dogras to know that a light tank has been named after the Dogra General Zorawar Singh Kehluria. Hope it will open the eyes of the country particularly of J&K and HP to include him in their curriculum of studies and Research.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jan 2023 03:06

Thanks, Rakesh for doing the needful.

I think in order to place the Zorawar we need to put here historical light tanks with Indian Army for the record

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jan 2023 03:20

The first light tank seen in Indian Army is the M3 Stuart light tank.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3_Stuart

The M3 Stuart/Light Tank M3, was an American light tank of World War II. An improved version of the tank entered service as the M5 in 1942 to be supplied to British and other Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war. Afterward, it was used by U.S. and Allied forces until the end of the war.

The British service name "Stuart" came from the American Civil War Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart and was used for both the M3 and the derivative M5 Light Tank. Unofficially, were also often called "Honeys" by the British, because of their smooth ride.[3] In U.S. use, the tanks were officially known as "Light Tank M3" and "Light Tank M5".

{A famous cricketer, Bob Crisp wrote a book "Brazen Chariots " about his wartime experience in Operation Crusader. Our vsunder likes this book very much as it describes desert warfare quite well.}

Light Tank Doctrine
Light Tanks were issued to Tank Battalions (one of the four companies was a light tank company), Light Tank Battalions and Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons. The original role of the light tank in these formations was similar to medium tanks and they were expected to engage enemy armor with AP rounds and enemy positions with HE rounds. As a result, tank gunnery training for Light and Medium tankers was common.[12]

US Army Field Manuals written before 1944 clearly show that light tanks were to be part of an armored assault on enemy positions, and examples of fire on enemy armor were in these manuals.[13] When pursuing an enemy, Light Tank Battalions were expected to move parallel with enemy columns and, together with accompanying infantry and engineer units, seize "critical terrain that will block hostile retreat".[14] Despite the fact that light tank platoons were not expected to function as a reconnaissance unit, they could be used for reconnaissance purposes.[15] In this role, they were expected to remain behind the main reconnaissance force as the support element and augment the firepower whenever enemy contact was made.[16]

In the summer of 1942, the British usually kept Stuarts out of tank-to-tank combat, using them primarily for reconnaissance. The turret was removed from some examples to save weight and improve speed and range. These became known as "Stuart Recce". Some others were converted to armored personnel carriers known as the "Stuart Kangaroo", and some were converted into command vehicles and known as "Stuart Command". M3s, M3A3s, and M5s continued in British service until the end of the war, but British units had a smaller proportion of these light tanks than U.S. units.[citation needed]

When the U.S. Army joined the North African Campaign in late 1942, Stuart units still formed a large part of its armor strength. After the disastrous Battle of Kasserine Pass, the U.S. quickly followed the British in disbanding most of their light tank battalions and reorganizing medium tank battalions to include one company of light tanks, where the Stuarts mostly performed the traditional cavalry missions of scouting and screening; for the rest of the war, most U.S. tank battalions had three companies of M4 Shermans and one company of M3s or M5/M5A1s.[35]

The M5 played a significant role in the First Kashmir War (1947) between India and Pakistan, including the battle of Zoji-la pass fought at an elevation of nearly 12,000 ft (3,700 m).

Atmavik · Post by **Atmavik** » 25 Jan 2023 03:31

Amx 13 we air lifted to Chushul during the 1962 war. Shiv ku Al varmas book has some nice picture

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMX-13

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jan 2023 05:13

Next we look at AMX-13

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMX-13

The AMX-13 is a French light tank produced from 1952 to 1987. It served with the French Army, as the Char 13t-75 Modèle 51, and was exported to more than 26 other nations. Named after its initial weight of 13 tonnes, and featuring a tough and reliable chassis,[1] it was fitted with an oscillating turret built by GIAT Industries (now Nexter) with revolver type magazines, which were also used on the Austrian SK-105 Kürassier.[1]

The tank was designed at the Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (AMX) in 1946 to meet a requirement for an air-portable vehicle to support paratroopers. The first prototype ran from 1948. The compact chassis had torsion bar suspension with five road-wheels and two return rollers; the engine runs the length of the tank on the right side, with the driver on the left. It features an uncommon two-part FL-10 oscillating turret, where the gun is fixed to the turret and the entire upper turret changes elevation. The turret is set to the rear of the vehicle and holds the commander and gunner. The original 75 mm SA 50 gun was loaded by an automatic loading system fed by two six-round magazines located in on either side of the automatic loader in the turret's bustle.

The IDF realised that the AMX-13 tank was too lightly-armored and had a weak main gun. Losses were heavy at places like Rafah Junction and Jiradi Pass during the Six-Day War with many destroyed by heavier Arab-fielded Soviet armour, such as T-55 MBTs and IS-3 (tank) heavy tanks. Subsequently, Israel gradually phased out all of its AMX-13s following the Six-Day War, with most ending up being sold to the then newly established Singapore Army between 1968 and 1969.

During the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, India deployed AMX-13 Tanks to oppose the initial armour onslaught of Operation Grand Slam in the Chhamb-Jaurian area and also in the Battle of Asal Uttar.

During the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War in Chhamb-Jaurian in Jammu & Kashmir, the 20 Lancers, equipped with AMX-13 tanks was under command of the 10th Infantry Division. Pakistan's surprise attack on 1 September, Operation Grand Slam, fell on the 191 Infantry Brigade which was supported by "C" Squadron of the regiment, under Maj Bhaskar Roy. The Pakistani armoured attack comprised two regiments, one of M48 Patton medium tanks and one of M36B2 tank destroyers.[5] The attack began at 0805 hours and was strongly resisted. During the initial phases of the attack, Roy destroyed six Pattons, three recoilless guns and captured a jeep. A second attack was launched by Pakistani armour at 1100 hours and contested by the AMX-13s of 20 Lancers, which despite being outgunned and outnumbered, destroyed a total 13 tanks that day and prevented the encirclement of 191 Infantry Brigade.[6] The regiment later fought in the defence of Jaurian under 41 Infantry Brigade.[7] For the defense of Chhamb-Jaurian, the regiment was awarded a theatre honour and Maj Bhaskar Roy was awarded Maha Vir Chakra for his leadership in this action.[6]

In the Battle of Assal Uttar, on 8–10 September 1965 in Asal Uttar (Khem Karan, Punjab, India), a regiment of AMX-13s — 8th Light Cavalry — along with a regiment each of Centurions and M4 Shermans fought off and defeated a Pakistani armoured offensive comprising five regiments of M48 Patton tanks and one regiment of M24 Chaffee tanks.[8]

Basically served India quite well considering the circumstances.
From memory, the 75mm gun on the AMX-13 was the same as the ones on Panzers but with a shorter barrel. The French received these cannons as war reparations and installed these on the AMX. I think the barrel was shortened.

The same gun was installed on the M-4 Shermans as a modernization. However, Capt Amarinder Singh Patiala, wrote in "The Monsoon War" that after firing the tank turret of M4 needed to be registered again and wasn't too happy.

Maj Bhaskar Roy

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jan 2023 05:21

Next we look at PT-76

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PT-76

The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious light tank that was introduced in the early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armed forces. It was widely exported to other friendly states, like India, Iraq, Syria, North Korea and North Vietnam.

The tank's full name is Floating Tank–76 (плавающий танк, plavayushchiy tank, or ПТ-76). 76 stands for the caliber of the main armament: the 76.2 mm D-56T series rifled tank gun.

The PT-76 is used in the reconnaissance and fire-support roles. Its chassis served as the basis for a number of other vehicle designs, many of them amphibious, including the BTR-50 armored personnel carrier, the ZSU-23-4 self-propelled antiaircraft gun, the ASU-85 airborne self-propelled gun and the 2K12 Kub anti-aircraft missile launch vehicle.

The PT-76 saw action with Indian forces in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and 1971. The superior tactics of the Indian Army enabled the PT-76 to play a vital role in the Eastern theater of the 1971 war where the PT-76s proved superior to the obsolete Pakistani M24 Chaffee light tanks despite being outnumbered. A good example of such an engagement was the Battle of Garibpur, where an Indian Army Infantry Battalion with only 14 PT-76s was able to maul a much larger brigade-strength unit of Pakistani armor and inflict heavy casualties.[25]

During the battle 8 Pakistani M24 Chaffee tanks were destroyed, 3 captured at the cost of 2 PT-76.[26]

V_Raman · Post by **V_Raman** » 25 Jan 2023 06:26

Which war did we fight with soviet gear then?

asal uttar - western gear
1971 - Marut saved the day
Kargil - Bofors and Mirage 2000
Balakot - mirage 2000

one instance i know is mig21- downing a F16 in the aftermath of balakot strike.

what else? where is soviet gear? Navy maybe?

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jan 2023 06:33

This thread is about the Zorawaar Light Tank.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jan 2023 06:55

News Report dated 23 Jan 2023

https://www.republicworld.com/india-new ... eshow.html

The Zorawar Light Tank that is getting developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will be equipped with all the modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Drone Integration, a high degree of situational awareness, and amphibious operation capability. Also, it will have a crucial role in defending against enemy gunships.

{Except for making tandoori roti, it is expected to do everything in a light tank! does IA procurement directorate have any lessons learned from Arjun fiasco?}

DRDO is putting a lot of effort to avert any major threats and also tackle the upcoming war-related ammunition.

Light Tank named after Dogra Army General

The tank has been named after the legendary erstwhile Dogra Army General who led multiple, victories in Tibet which is now controlled by the Chinese Army.

Usually, high altitude areas, range from 11000-16500 ft. above sea level and are under the grip of extreme weather conditions. The tailor-made light tanks are getting developed with this view only to curb difficulties faced in the operations and sustenance of tracked vehicles in the northeastern borders.

Tanks getting developed in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Limited

One of the biggest benefits of the light tank is that they are “air portable” and can conveniently be deployed in critical areas. Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) under the DRDO has been given the responsibility for the development of a light tank in collaboration with the Lead System Integrator (Larsen & Toubro Limited, Mumbai).

{Glad no Avadi as they deal with only heavy tanks!
Writer doesn't understand how will L&T collaborate when its the mfg of the tank with technology provided by DRDO?}

The Light tank will have a lot of features such as a high power-to-weight ratio, superior firepower, protection, surveillance, and greater communication capabilities. It will also possess the lethal firepower to defeat the armour of low-flying helicopters.

It's being overspeced and will end up as a medium tank.

RM via COAS needs to have oversight to ensure all these functions don't prevent its primary task to combat the PLA combined arms brigades.
May be its chassis can be used for special vehicles for those roles.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jan 2023 07:04

Pretty good overview of what led to the decision for Zorawar LT development

https://eurasiantimes.com/indias-1st-pr ... t-by-2023/

...In the last two years, Beijing has positioned the most recent ZTL-11 wheeled armored personnel carriers, CSK series assault vehicles, and ZTQ 15 (Type 15) third-generation modern light tanks along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.

The scramble for Light tanks shows the adhoc threat appreciation in the MoD. Sad it still continues since the 1950s.

Can some one post the specs for ZTQ 15?

Aditya_V · Post by **Aditya_V** » 25 Jan 2023 07:34

V_Raman wrote:Which war did we fight with soviet gear then?

asal uttar - western gear
1971 - Marut saved the day
Kargil - Bofors and Mirage 2000
Balakot - mirage 2000

one instance i know is mig21- downing a F16 in the aftermath of balakot strike.

what else? where is soviet gear? Navy maybe?

1971 war was won mainly fighting with Soviet equipment, please read about the war, for Airforce the Mig 21, Su 7, for Navy styx missiles etc. The Indian forces always fought with a mix of Soviet and Western gear.

The M2000 did a stellar job in Mantho Dhalo and Tiger hill, but there many important sorties were done by Mig 21s, Mig 27, Jaguars and Mig 29. Transport by IL76 etc . It was always a mix for the Indian forces

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 25 Jan 2023 08:56

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_15_tank

Provides a nice overview of the Type 15 light tank.

The thing to note about the vehicle is that it weighs as much as a T55 with its armour package and claimed protection is only against 30 mm cannon fire. Powered by a 1000 HP engine.

PRC also operates a tank destroyer armed with a 100 mm gun.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/chinese ... tions.html

They are also inducting into service another wheeled fire support vehicle / Assault Gun in shape of ZTL-11 8x8 105mm Mobile Gun System. It's based on a modern 8*8 chassis.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/may_202 ... _army.html

ks_sachin · Post by **ks_sachin** » 25 Jan 2023 09:36

There was a portrait of Gen Zorawar Singh in the bn mess. Awe inspiring figure. Hope the mechanical horse lives up to the name.

VishnuS · Post by **VishnuS** » 25 Jan 2023 15:00

Mods, I know this is not the best place... I hope someone can enlighten me....

Why don't we modify T-55s. I know they are around 35T, but that was 1950's tech, we could have easily reduced it to 25...

If you guys have already discussed it elsewhere, then please share the link....

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 25 Jan 2023 15:05

The same argument can be made for the Vijayanta as well. That it could have been attempted to convert into a light tank.

But the answer is that it was a hopelessly outdated design.

It's better to start with a clean sheet and design something specifically for Indian needs.

Avid · Post by **Avid** » 25 Jan 2023 21:51

ramana wrote:
Can some one post the specs for ZTQ 15?

For easy reference -- copy/pasted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_15_tank

Specifications
Mass 33 tonnes (standard), 36 tonnes (with armor package)
Length Gun forward: 9.2 metres (30.18 ft)
Hull: About 7.5 metres (24.61 ft)
Width 3.3 metres (10.83 ft)
Height 2.5 metres (8.20 ft)
Crew 3 (commander, gunner and driver)
Armor Standard steel armor protection with additional advanced composite armor and/or explosive reactive armor package.
Main armament 105mm rifled gun (38 rounds) with autoloader
Secondary armament Remotely operated weapon station armed with coaxial 12.7mm machine gun and QLZ-04 automatic grenade launcher
Engine Electronically controlled diesel engine 8V132 with fully-automatic transmission 1000 hp (746 kW)
Power/weight 30.30 hp/tonne; 27.8 hp/tonne (Armor package installed)
Suspension Hydropneumatic suspension
Operational range 469 kilometres (291 mi)(without external fuel drums)
Maximum speed 70 kilometres per hour (43 mph)

Avid · Post by **Avid** » 25 Jan 2023 21:55

Additional specs ZTQ 15 from: http://www.military-today.com/tanks/ztq_15.htm

Armament
Main gun 105 mm rifled
ATGW ?
Machine guns 1 x 7.62 mm, 1 x 12.7 mm
Grenade launcher 1 x 40 mm
Elevation range ?
Traverse range 360 degrees

Ammunition load
Main gun 38 rounds
Machine guns ?

Mobility
Engine diesel
Engine power 1,000 hp
Maximum road speed 70 km/h
Range 450 km

Maneuverability
Gradient 60%
Side slope 30%
Vertical step 0.85 m
Trench ~ 2.5 m
Fording 1.1 m
Fording (with preparation) ?

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 25 Jan 2023 22:03

VishnuS wrote:Mods, I know this is not the best place... I hope someone can enlighten me....

Why don't we modify T-55s. I know they are around 35T, but that was 1950's tech, we could have easily reduced it to 25...

If you guys have already discussed it elsewhere, then please share the link....

As LAC got hot in 2020 the initial idea was to bring out the upgraded T-55s in storage instead of the T-72s.
As the immediacy went down, IA realized the need for a light tank.
IA had the T-55 gun upgraded to the L-7 105mm gun from Vijayanta.

We need to look at why the light tank is needed and find the solution.

PLA has reformed its formations into mechanized/armored combat brigades. However, they retain four divisions in Western Theater Command.
The troops used in Galwan were not regular divisional troops but CBT from Eastern Theater Command deployed in Ladakh for 'exercises'. And we did study the composition in the Border thread. Chola contributed to it before he got banned.

So the main threat is the PLA combat brigades which have armor like ZT-15 organic to them.
IA requirements for the tank would be:
- light so can be air transportable
- commonality with K-9 guns for spare parts and repair
- common gun as T-90 as there is plenty of ammo.
So conceptually it could be a K-9 chassis with a T-90 turret.
Expect some push for the L7 gun. then ammo becomes an issue as IA will have to stock two types.

K-9 chassis can handle 155mm recoil forces. So a tank gun of lesser caliber should be fine.

Now some of the new chassis can be used for anti-aircraft missiles, command vehicles, radars, etc.
But these are secondary and tertiary roles. Its primary role will be to fight the ACBs.

I hope RM and CDS appoint someone from Eastern or Northern Army Command as project director to ensure their needs are met. Need unity of command.
DRDO and the private sector operating on a limb is not ideal.
For example in one of the above reports the L&T person is quiet but the DRDO source is giving unneeded details.
All statements should come from Project DDirecctor only.
None of these unnamed sources nonsense.
If you are not authorized to talk then don't talk.

VishnuS · Post by **VishnuS** » 26 Jan 2023 10:59

Thank you Ramana Bhai...

I don't focus alot on Armor.... But during the Galwan incident, everyone seriously talked about T-55s. I have also followed the discussion.

When it comes to Light Tank, earlier the concept was to have a light gun and light Armor. Soon the light gun was put away... This thought still surprises me.

No light tanks can take hit from Carl Gustov or 30mm from APC and go unscathed.

I believe we should see light tanks the way they were seen in the early days of WW2. Deal with anything and everything except MBTs. Sacrifice the bigger gun for better Armor.

My ideal light tank is something that kills anything that's not an MBT and take a hits and shrug it off that were not designed to kill MBT...

Funny as it may sound, I prefer 76mm guns, but I doubt whether we can make a capable HE round. 90mm should be plenty, 105 is too much and 120/125 is stupendous.....

During the initial days of Light tank, 105 was preferred cause that was the prevalent gun even for MBT. Today 120/125 is being preferred for the very reason. Commonality of Ammo and Spares is the excuse. No one talks about gun weight or ammo storage limitations... Oh and before I forget, another reason was one more/cheaper unit to take on enemy MBT.

And all this is being packed under what 30T capacity limit?

Back in the day i.e 70's ATGMs were not trust worthy and it absolutely made sense to have another gun for cheaper cost. Today countless ATGMs, Helos, heck Brits developed Brimstone from fighter plane....

I am sorry, but it still doesn't make sense for me why use a big ass heavy gun with fewer rounds than smaller and lighter gun and use that weight to make it more survivable...

Maybe

Prem Kumar · Post by **Prem Kumar** » 26 Jan 2023 13:09

Rather than increase the armor, which increases the weight, investment in an APS might make more sense for a Light Tank. It anyway cannot take a direct hit from an MBT main gun. So, its best to avoid those engagements, except at standoff distances using its fire & forget ATGMs (if at all needed).

ATGMs & RPGs directed against the light tank can be defeated by a good APS

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 26 Jan 2023 13:12

VishnuS, In the high mountains common spares and ammo is good. Also for mobile repair services.
And with K-9 chassis it can handle the big gun.
I think the trade is between 105mm vs 120mm.
Reason is ZT-15 has a 105mm
I don't know if MIL makes 105mm ammo still.
And even the T-72s are being upgrade with T-90 turrets.

You need to kill the other tank dead and not get repaired.
For all above reasons I support common gun and chassis.

rajkumar · Post by **rajkumar** » 26 Jan 2023 15:08

Slightly off topic for this thread but it might be instructive to watch this report on the US Light Tank and the doctrine change within the US Army that this will require.

ks_sachin · Post by **ks_sachin** » 26 Jan 2023 15:19

ramana wrote:VishnuS, In the high mountains common spares and ammo is good. Also for mobile repair services.
And with K-9 chassis it can handle the big gun.
I think the trade is between 105mm vs 120mm.
Reason is ZT-15 has a 105mm
I don't know if MIL makes 105mm ammo still.
And even the T-72s are being upgrade with T-90 turrets.

You need to kill the other tank dead and not get repaired.
For all above reasons I support common gun and chassis.

Ramana Sir,

These are all hypotheticals without an understanding how we seek to employ armour. Why for example are we talking tank vs tank when we have been building defences in that AoR for donkeys years now.

Employment of any asset does not happen in isolation and there r always tradeoffs.

Aditya G · Post by **Aditya G** » 26 Jan 2023 18:19

rajkumar wrote:Slightly off topic for this thread but it might be instructive to watch this report on the US Light Tank and the doctrine change within the US Army that this will require.

Wasn't stryker supposed to provide firepower to brigade combat teams?

Pratyush · Post by **Pratyush** » 26 Jan 2023 18:29

rajkumar wrote:Slightly off topic for this thread but it might be instructive to watch this report on the US Light Tank and the doctrine change within the US Army that this will require.

Chieftain had an interview with someone in the serving US army. Where it was explained that this is not a light tank.

This to me a more authoritative description of what the vehicle is and how they are planning to use it.

Because it's not designed to be used as a light tank. It might not be useful in our situation.

ernest · Post by **ernest** » 26 Jan 2023 22:06

VishnuS wrote:Thank you Ramana Bhai...

Funny as it may sound, I prefer 76mm guns, but I doubt whether we can make a capable HE round. 90mm should be plenty, 105 is too much and 120/125 is stupendous.....

We'll need 76mm size guns on light armored chassis with good rate of fire in the future. APS will be crucial like Rakesh said for all kinds of munitions (tank, artillery, LM). The proliferation of UGVs that may take place will be best dealt with such light platforms in numbers. Our own light UGVs will do well with such a solution. To start, add a 76mm on MUNTRA-T and explore the possibilities.

NRao · Post by **NRao** » 27 Jan 2023 01:53

I would not use US Army as a reliable source for Indian Army requirements.

In the case of "Light Tank" I just see no commonality. While - as I see it - the IA wants a LT because it either cannot or prefers not to transport the heavier tanks up at altitude, the US wants a LT (MPF)(their functions are exactly the same) to provide firepower to a swiftly moving light infantry. While the LT in IA will be the only tank in the vicinity in high altitudes, for the US Army it will be a part of an element that can be deployed anywhere in the world - give and take some. The Indian LT would be expected to battle anything, the US only against lighter opponents.

(The Stryker group is meant to "connect" the light infantry (MPF) and the heavy infantry (with the M1) - to achieve some network-centric goals.)

Only as an FYI: the USMC, as part of their "Force design 2030", is experimenting with eliminating the tank entirely! A further improvement on the LT concept.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 27 Jan 2023 23:39

ramana wrote: The scramble for Light tanks shows the adhoc threat appreciation in the MoD. Sad it still continues since the 1950s. Can some one post the specs for ZTQ 15?

- ramana, the requirement for a Light Tank has existed since 80s.
- Like a lot of many recent developments, it is being expedited now when we face immediate challenge(s) on our border.
- And guess where was the Light Tank required? In the Reconnaissance Squadrons and Regiments of Armored Brigades and Divisions.
- If you look at the specifications for the Light Tank (which you've already shown your displeasure about), they're all geared towards gaining situational awareness.
- Here's one more interesting data point for you - Guess who is the first one to issue RFP for induction of drones/loiter ammunition and swarm drones in the army? The Directorate of Mechanized Forces!
- The tanks and IFVs will not be moving blind but develop an awareness about their surroundings to a certain depth.
- And with swarm drones or loiter ammunition, also have a sort of organic, precision artillery to take out enemy components like ATGM teams or IFVs.
- With integrated drones (whether on Light Tank or those integrated on IFVs or dedicated, stand-alone platforms), all elements will gain tactical knowledge of area around themselves.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

- A light tank is NOT required to take on enemy's tanks.
- It is for Reconnaissance and for screening enemy forces.
- The US Army terminology for their Light Tank best describes its intended use - MOBILE PROTECTED FIREPOWER (MPF).
- It is meant to provide immediate support to their INFANTRY Brigade Combat Team (equipped up-armored HUMVEES).
- It gives these infantrymen the ability to conduct a combined arms operation, take on defended enemy positions (think of all those pill-boxed and MMG nests on canals in the west) and enemy IFVs and APCs.
- Each IBCT will have 14 MPF platforms.
- That's about 4 per Infantry Battalion with 2 for IBCT HQ.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

- Think of a Recce & Support Battalion equipped with a mixture of Zorawar LT, IFVs and NAMICA!
- Or, a Motorized Infantry battalion with 2-3 LTs per company.
- We need more imagination in terms of its deployment and not go by the Chinese having deployed their Light Tank.
- I mean, the Chinese had to rush their ZTZ-99 MBTs when they saw IA deploying T-90s!

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 27 Jan 2023 23:43

rohitvats wrote:ramana, the requirement for a Light Tank....

Can I add some of this info to the first post of this thread? With due acknowledgement. Please let me know. Thank You.

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 28 Jan 2023 00:29

Rakesh wrote:
rohitvats wrote:ramana, the requirement for a Light Tank....
Can I add some of this info to the first post of this thread? With due acknowledgement. Please let me know. Thank You.

Please, be my guest.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Jan 2023 00:35

rohitvats wrote:
Rakesh wrote: Can I add some of this info to the first post of this thread? With due acknowledgement. Please let me know. Thank You.
Please, be my guest.

Thank You. Greatly appreciated.

If you plan to write up an article on this topic, on your blog...please do post link to article in this thread.

I can add that as well in the first post.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 28 Jan 2023 09:22

The current Light Tank requirement is not the old Mechanized Inf requirement.

Its for LAC.
yes the MI can use the LT as the basis for their requirements.
Lets see how it develops,

rohitvats · Post by **rohitvats** » 28 Jan 2023 16:36

ramana wrote:The current Light Tank requirement is not the old Mechanized Inf requirement.
Its for LAC. Yes the MI can use the LT as the basis for their requirements.
Lets see how it develops,

Hot LAC is just the impetus to get the system into service ASAP. Look-up the spec sheet of LT. It will be deployed across the board. More so now with Integrated Battle Groups in place.

ashishvikas · Post by **ashishvikas** » 14 Apr 2023 22:06

L&T gets order to build prototype of light tank

https://www.ajaishukla.com/2023/04/l-ge ... f.html?m=1

By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 15th April 23

With the Indian Army on a major drive to equip itself adequately on the Sino-Indian border, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and private sector firm, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have joined hands to develop an indigenous light tank that is optimised for the extreme cold and high altitude of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

Having co-designed an indigenous, 25-tonne, light tank, the DRDO has placed a development order on L&T to build the first prototype, say Army sources.

Meanwhile, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) – the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) apex body for capital purchases – has granted an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), or in-principle agreement, for seven light tank regiments, each equipped with 45 tanks.

The AoN requires L&T – the MoD’s development partner – to build one regiment of light tanks, while the MoD acquires the other six regiments under the “Make” procedure.

The light tank will have a hull, co-developed by DRDO and L&T, that will house an 800 horsepower (HP) engine optimised for high altitudes. The engine will be provided by German firm MTU, which is a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce.

Mounted on this hull will be a 105-millimetre gun turret, procured ready-built from Belgian firm, John Cockerill.

It is intended to marry the DRDO’s expertise in tank design, created while developing the Arjun tank, with the heavy engineering capability of L&T, which is already building the K-9 Vajra self-propelled artillery gun system for the army.

The indigenous light tank was initially planned to be built on the chassis of the K-9 Vajra. This, however, was ruled out because the army placed a weight limit of 25 tonnes on the light tank, while the Vajra’s heavy chassis would take its weight to at least 34-35 tonnes.

The armoured challenge from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Ladakh is centred on China’s new light tank, the agile and versatile ZTQ 105 – also known as the Type 15 –developed by China’s North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO) and unveiled during the Zhuhai Air Show in 2016.

The ZTQ 105 has a 105-mm rifled gun that can destroy enemy tanks at ranges of two-to-three kilometres (km). It also fires anti-tank guided missiles to knock out tanks at ranges of five km.

Vips · Post by **Vips** » 16 Apr 2023 19:35

One of the Defence AV channel reports that the Zorawar Tank will be entering service in 2027 after prototype testing and clearance.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Apr 2023 19:39

https://twitter.com/NewsIADN/status/164 ... 76100?s=20 ---> An order placed for manufacturing of the first Zorawar Light Tank prototype to L&T by DRDO. It will feature a Belgian John Cockerill 105mm cannon capable of firing guided missiles. It will be powered by a German MTU engine with 800 hp.

https://twitter.com/NewsIADN/status/164 ... 91232?s=20 ---> The Zorawar Light Tank will reportedly use an off the shelf Cockerill turret. This will have a 105mm cannon capable of firing NATO standard munitions, with hunter killer capability.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 18 Apr 2023 19:41

Indian Army concerned over Chinese moves at LAC, may induct 700 Zorawar Light Tanks
https://www.firstpost.com/india/indian- ... 31122.html
09 April 2023

ks_sachin · Post by **ks_sachin** » 24 Apr 2023 09:44

rohitvats wrote:
ramana wrote:The current Light Tank requirement is not the old Mechanized Inf requirement.
Its for LAC. Yes the MI can use the LT as the basis for their requirements.
Lets see how it develops,
Hot LAC is just the impetus to get the system into service ASAP. Look-up the spec sheet of LT. It will be deployed across the board. More so now with Integrated Battle Groups in place.

RohitVats,

How does the 105 mnn gun sit with you?

Is it going to be effective?