The DRDO has conducted high-altitude trials of its new Indian Light Tank. The platform is being developed to be operated in India's northern border region. (Press Information Bureau)
India's state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted high-altitude trials of the Indian Light Tank (ILT), also known as ‘Zorawar'.
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 12 December that the new trials were held at a “high-altitude location”, reportedly in India's northern union territory of Ladakh.
“[The] Indian Light Tank (ILT) has achieved a major milestone by firing a number of rounds at different ranges at an altitude of more than 4,200 m,” the MoD said in a press release.
It added that the trials provided “consistently accurate results” but did not provide any additional information regarding the parameters and results of the trials.
The MoD also said the ILT's airlift capability was demonstrated by the Indian Air Force, transporting the tank into the trial location. “[This airlift] capability would assist in [the] quick deployment of [the] ILT in operating conditions, which are remote and difficult to access through road or rail,” said the MoD.
The high-altitude tests constitute the second phase of ILT trials. The first phase was held in desert terrain in the northwestern state of Rajasthan in September.
Looking forward, the MoD said the ILT will undergo more trials before it is offered to the Indian Army for user trials.
Citing DRDO Chairperson Samir V Kamat, Janes reported in September that these user trials will commence in 2025. The DRDO expects the ILT to be ready for induction into the Indian Army by 2027.
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