India’s DRDO Developing New Gun-Fired ATGM for Zorawar Light Tank’s 105mm Cannon

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making steady progress in developing a new gun-launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) specially designed for the 105mm cannon of the Zorawar Light Tank. This marks a significant achievement in India’s goal of strengthening indigenous defence technology and reducing dependence on foreign weapon systems.

Zorawar Light Tank: India’s Mountain Warrior

The Zorawar Light Tank, jointly developed by DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is India’s first indigenously built light tank designed for high-altitude warfare. Weighing around 25 tons, this highly mobile and agile tank is built for rapid deployment in mountainous regions like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, where heavy tanks face operational limitations.

Originally, the tank was equipped with a 105mm high-pressure rifled gun sourced from John Cockerill of Belgium. However, DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) is now working on an indigenous version of this gun to support the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.

Why a Gun-Fired ATGM?

One of the most important features of the Zorawar Light Tank is its capability to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles directly from its 105mm main gun. This allows the tank to strike enemy armoured vehicles, fortified positions, and bunkers at extended ranges without exposing itself to immediate counterfire.

The development of a gun-launched ATGM is especially valuable for operations in high-altitude and rugged terrains where mobility, accuracy, and stand-off capability are vital for survival and success in combat.

Expected Capabilities and Specifications

The upcoming 105mm gun-fired ATGM is designed to deliver powerful anti-armour performance with the following expected specifications:

• Calibre: 105mm (launched from the tank’s main gun)

• Effective Range: 2,000 to 2,500 meters

• Penetration Capability: Approximately 500mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA)

• Guidance System: Likely semi-active laser guidance or imaging infrared seeker for precise targeting

• Warhead Type: Tandem High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat explosive reactive armour (ERA)

• Operational Use: Day and night, all-weather capability

This missile will significantly enhance the Zorawar’s ability to engage modern main battle tanks and armoured personnel carriers from long distances, offering tactical advantages in difficult battlefield conditions.

Advanced Features of the Zorawar Tank

Apart from the ATGM capability, the Zorawar Light Tank comes equipped with several modern features designed for versatility and survivability:

• Remote-Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) for secondary armament

• Active Protection Systems (APS) to intercept incoming threats

• Modular Composite Armour for improved crew protection

• Amphibious Capability for crossing rivers and lakes

• Thermal Imaging Sights and Laser Rangefinders for accurate target acquisition

• High Power-to-Weight Ratio for swift mobility across challenging terrains

These capabilities make the Zorawar an ideal platform for rapid and decisive operations along India’s sensitive mountain borders.

Ongoing Trials and Future Plans

Before entering service, the new ATGM and indigenous 105mm cannon will undergo multiple stages of rigorous trials, including internal test firings and integration into Zorawar prototypes. These evaluations will check for performance, accuracy, durability, and reliability under extreme environmental conditions.

As development progresses, more indigenous subsystems — including a locally developed engine, fire control system, and communication equipment — are expected to replace imported components, further enhancing the tank’s self-reliant status.

A Strategic Step Towards Self-Reliance

The development of a gun-launched ATGM for the Zorawar Light Tank is a key step in India’s defence modernization strategy. It not only boosts India’s high-altitude warfare capability but also contributes to strengthening the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Once operational, this missile system will provide Indian troops with a decisive edge in mountainous and border regions, ensuring they can effectively counter armoured threats while maintaining mobility and tactical superiority.