However, in the 1980s, these light tanks were phased out in favor of heavier main battle tanks (MBT), which have several limitations in mountain warfare. Shivane notes that India had successfully deployed French-made AMX 30 light tanks in earlier mountain border skirmishes with Pakistan and China in 19, respectively. He notes that forward deployment of light tanks, armored personnel carriers (APC), attack helicopters, infantry, special forces, light artillery, and combat aircraft supported by drone and satellite intelligence in the guise of a training exercise could have prevented that year’s lethal border skirmishes. In a 2020 article for Raksha Anirveda magazine, Retired Lieutenant General Ashok Bhim Shivane wrote that India’s lack of light tanks contributed to its failure to deter China’s advances in the high mountain area. The 2020 Ladakh clashes exposed India’s capability gaps in its disputed border with China. ![]() Janes also mentions that L&T is collaborating with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), with the latter’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) leading its work. Prototype equipment has passed field tests for induction clearance, after which production can commence. ![]() However, it is unclear if L&T will play a role in the tank’s actual production process. ![]() Jayant Patil, L&T senior executive vice-president for defense, confirmed that his firm has been selected as a development partner for the new light tank, known as “Project Zorawar.” India is poised to unveil a homemade light tank optimized for mountain warfare on its disputed Himalayan border, ostensibly to counter China’s light armor in the high mountain area.ĭefense publication Janes reported this month that the Indian Army has partnered with local conglomerate Larsen & Toubro Ltd to develop a light tank for mountain warfare, which is expected to be unveiled in 2023.
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