Zorawar Roars: Indian Army to Induct Indigenous Light Tank Armed with Nag Mk-2 This Winter

In a major milestone for India’s armoured warfare capability, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired the indigenous Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) from the Zorawar light tank, a next-generation combat platform engineered for high-altitude operations. The test, conducted last week at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, marks a decisive step toward India’s quest for self-reliance in defence technology.

Following the successful trial on October 17, the Indian Army is preparing to induct the Zorawar light tank this winter. Developed specifically to counter China’s light armour deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Zorawar has now been fully integrated with the Nag Mk-2 ATGM, significantly enhancing its precision strike capability and lethality.

This achievement represents a quantum leap in India’s capability to conduct armoured warfare in mountainous terrains like Eastern Ladakh, where agility, firepower, and survivability are paramount.

Deadly Combination: Zorawar and Nag Mk-2

The recent test-firing validated all major performance parameters — including top-attack capability, lock-on-after-launch, and high-accuracy engagement of moving targets.

The Nag Mk-2 is a third-generation, fire-and-forget missile with an effective range of 4–5 km. Designed for top-attack strikes, it can penetrate the turret armour of enemy tanks with devastating precision. Once launched, it autonomously tracks and destroys its target, eliminating the need for operator guidance.

Zorawar: Designed for the Himalayas

Weighing approximately 25 tonnes, the Zorawar is a compact yet powerful platform built for mobility, firepower, and protection under extreme conditions. Named after the legendary Dogra military commander General Zorawar Singh, the tank embodies a fusion of India’s martial legacy and cutting-edge innovation.

Unlike heavier main battle tanks such as the T-90 or Arjun, which face mobility constraints in high-altitude areas, Zorawar’s lightweight design allows it to manoeuvre effortlessly across snow, sand, and rocky terrain. Its induction is seen as India’s strategic response to China’s deployment of over 400 ZTQ-15 (Type-15) light tanks along the LAC.

Key Features of Zorawar

• High Mobility: Optimised for operations above 14,000 feet; tested successfully in Ladakh-like conditions across multiple terrains.
• Superior Firepower: Capable of firing gun-launched ATGMs and Advanced Multi-Purpose Smart Munitions alongside conventional rounds.
• Advanced Protection Systems: Equipped with explosive reactive armour (ERA), soft-kill countermeasures, CBRN defence, and automated fire suppression.
• Enhanced Survivability: Designed to withstand drone and ATGM attacks.
• Situational Awareness: Features high-resolution thermal imagers and day/night targeting sensors for all-weather operations.
• High-Angle Fire & Auto-Loader: Allows mountain warfare engagement and faster reload under combat conditions.

Ladakh Deployment Imminent

Sources indicate that at least one Zorawar prototype is ready, with another nearing completion. The Indian Army is expected to begin user trials in Ladakh this winter, paving the way for early induction into frontline service. If successful, mass production and deployment along the LAC could follow swiftly.

Strategic Significance

The induction of Zorawar marks a turning point in India’s armoured doctrine for high-altitude warfare. It not only bridges a critical capability gap but also reinforces India’s deterrence posture along the northern borders.

With the Zorawar–Nag Mk-2 combination, the Indian Army gains an agile, lethal, and indigenous platform tailor-made for the Himalayan battlespace — a powerful message to adversaries and a proud moment for India’s defence innovation ecosystem.

Huma Siddiqui