DRDO Invites Indian Industry to Develop Indigenous 105mm FSAPDS Ammunition for Zorawar Light Tank

In a major push toward self-reliance in critical defence technologies, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has invited bids from local industries for the co-development and production of an indigenous 105mm Fin-Stabilised Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) ammunition. This cutting-edge kinetic energy round will be the primary tank-killer munition for India’s upcoming Zorawar light tank, which is being developed to counter threats along high-altitude borders and in rapid-deployment scenarios.

The Expression of Interest (EoI), issued by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), calls upon Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and private-sector players to join hands in designing, testing, and eventually manufacturing the FSAPDS round. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to indigenise tank ammunition and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, especially for advanced rounds used in modern tank warfare.

A Critical Capability for Mountain Warfare

The Zorawar light tank, jointly developed by DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is tailored for operations in challenging terrains like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. Weighing under 25 tonnes, the tank is designed for strategic mobility, including air transportability and amphibious operations. Its firepower will center on the Cockerill 3105 high-pressure 105mm gun, an advanced rifled cannon integrated with an autoloader and modern fire control systems.

To complement this advanced gun, the FSAPDS round under development will provide the necessary punch to penetrate modern armour threats, including China’s new-generation Type-15 light tanks. These rounds are known for their high muzzle velocity and long-rod tungsten or depleted uranium penetrators, which can defeat explosive reactive armour and composite protection.

Technical Details of the Indigenous Round

Although DRDO has not released exhaustive technical specifications in the public domain, available information outlines key design targets:

• Calibre: 105mm

• Round Type: FSAPDS (Fin Stabilised Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot)

• Weight (Shot): Approx. 6.0 – 6.7 kg

• Penetration: Comparable to globally deployed NATO standards like the DM63

• Components: Long-rod penetrator, aluminium or carbon-fibre sabot, tail fins, ignition system, and propellant casing

The FSAPDS functions by discarding the sabot after it exits the barrel, allowing the fin-stabilised penetrator to travel at hyper-velocity and deliver maximum kinetic impact on the target.

This is not DRDO’s first experience with FSAPDS ammunition. The ARDE had previously developed 105mm rounds for legacy platforms like the Vijayanta and T-55 tanks, though production was discontinued in the early 2000s. With the Zorawar now entering limited series production, the requirement for a new, high-performance 105mm FSAPDS has become critical.

Industry Involvement and Make-in-India Focus

The EoI is also a call for industrial collaboration under the Ministry of Defence’s Technology Development Fund (TDF). Indian companies will be involved not only in the final assembly and supply chain but also in co-design and validation phases, including ballistic trials. The aim is to build a robust domestic production line capable of supporting long-term Indian Army requirements as well as potential exports.

Industry experts see this as a golden opportunity for Indian defence startups, private OEMs, and ammunition suppliers to enter a niche but crucial sector. Developing a world-class FSAPDS round indigenously is both a technical and strategic milestone, considering that most such rounds today are imported from countries like Germany, Israel, or Belgium.

Zorawar and Ammunition Synergy

The integration of indigenous FSAPDS ammunition with the Zorawar platform also boosts operational efficiency. The tank will carry a complement of 105mm FSAPDS, High Explosive Squash Head (HESH), and possibly programmable air-burst munitions, all integrated with a digital fire control system, panoramic sights, and thermal imaging.

Importantly, the decision to develop domestic ammunition also ensures that India’s frontline units are not held hostage to foreign embargoes, export restrictions, or logistical delays during wartime.

A Strategic Step Forward

The need for agile and heavily armed light tanks has gained renewed urgency after India’s 2020 standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. While heavy tanks like the T-90 and Arjun remain indispensable for the plains and deserts, mountainous and riverine terrain calls for platforms like the Zorawar. By ensuring the development of its core armament—the 105mm FSAPDS—within Indian borders, DRDO is reinforcing the strategic autonomy of the Indian Army.

As the project moves forward, prototypes of the Zorawar are undergoing trials, and with indigenous ammunition in the pipeline, the day is not far when Indian soldiers on the frontlines will rely entirely on homegrown firepower—from platform to projectile.

The DRDO’s move to develop an indigenous 105mm FSAPDS round for the Zorawar light tank is a defining moment in India’s defence journey. It’s not just about creating another shell—it’s about ensuring that every link in India’s warfighting capability is secure, sovereign, and superior.

With local industry poised to play a pivotal role, the success of this program will mark a new chapter in indigenous armoured warfare readiness.