India’s Zorawar Light Tank Vs. China’s Type 15 Light Tank

After the deadly 2020 clashes on the disputed borders of Eastern Ladakh in the Himalayas, tensions have remained high between India and China, which can develop into a full-fledged military confrontation any day. Since the clashes in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley (named after Ghulam Rasool Galwan), the army has taken several steps to boost its combat capabilities. Since May 2020, the militaries of India and China have confronted each other on the border and a reasonable settlement of the border dispute is not yet in sight. Both sides, however, have pulled back from several areas of conflict.

Against this background, both countries continue strengthening their troops and infrastructure in the border highlands. Both China and India face specific problems due to the difficult terrain separating them, especially affecting the OBT. Low air pressure at high altitudes reduces the performance of tank power plants, and low temperatures force crews to start engines for up to 30 minutes every 2-3 hours to prevent freezing of their components.

In eastern Ladakh, the army has also stationed heavy tanks, such as the T-90 and T-72, as well as infantry combat vehicles. Additionally, the artillery units have deployed K-9 Vajra-tracked, self-propelled howitzers, Pinaka rocket systems, and Dhanush gun systems along the border with China. Indian Army has deployed a substantial number of easily transportable M-777 ultra-light howitzers in mountainous areas along the LAC, including Arunachal Pradesh. The M-777s can be swiftly using Chinook helicopters. However, these were not enough.

This prompted the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to work on Zorawar, India's new light tank. Zorawar Light Tank is named after Zorawar Singh Kahluria, the Dogra General who conquered Ladakh and raided Tibet.

So, who is Zorawar Singh Kahluria

Zorawar Light Tank Named After Zorawar Singh Kahluria – Dogra General Who Conquered Ladakh, and Raided Tibet

https://rbt-defense.blogspot.com/2023/03/zorawar-light-tank-named-after-zorawar.html

Who is Ghulam Rasool Galwan

On 3rd Galwan Anniversary - Profile of Ghulam Rasool Galwan

https://rbt-defense.blogspot.com/2023/06/on-3rd-galwan-anniversary-profile-of.html 

Zorawar Tank

The Indian Army has been left without light tanks since the Soviet PT-76 was decommissioned in 1989. It relies mainly on the T-90S Bhishma, T-72M1 Ajeya, and Arjun MBT, which weigh anywhere between 48 to 68 tons. 2 of these tanks were purchased from the Soviet Union/Russia taking into account the threat from Pakistan and are better suited for open plains and deserts. Although India has made periodic attempts to develop a new light tank since 1983 alongside the heavy Arjun Tank (that has been developed & inducted), it has not been able to complete any of the projects. However, the clashes in Ladakh in 2020 prompted renewed efforts to acquire a light tank.

In 2021, the Ministry of Defense of India announced its intention to purchase 350 light tanks. These vehicles should weigh no more than 25 tons and have a crew of 2-3 people. Additional requirements include automatic loading, a remote-controlled machine gun, the ability to fire "smart" ammunition and ATGM, as well as the ability to install DZ units. Initially, it was assumed in the West that India could purchase the 2C25 Octopus-SDM1 from Russia, which has repeatedly offered to transfer the technologies necessary for its manufacture. However, the Government of India expressed a preference for a tank of domestic design.

At the end of 2022, the Ministry of Defense approved the purchase of 315 tanks, which will consist of seven regiments, with a potential increase in the order to almost 700 vehicles. The Indian company Larsen Toubro was announced as a government partner for the development of new equipment, and in April 2023 it received a contract to create the first prototype. It will be equipped with an 800 hp Rolls-Royce engine and a 105 mm cannon from the Belgian company John Cockerill. Indian officials have said that the first tanks will be ready for trial tests by the end of this year, with an initial order for 59 units with a total initial requirement of at least 354 units.

India’s Zorawar Light Tank, weighing 25 tons and equipped with a 750 horsepower engine, underscores its superior power-to-weight ratio of 30 compared to the Type 15’s 28.5. Despite its lighter weight, the Zorawar matches the Type 15 in firepower and tactical capabilities while excelling in maneuverability and logistical flexibility, which are critical for maintaining operational readiness in Ladakh’s challenging terrain and unpredictable weather.

The Zorawar’s comparable firepower ensures it can effectively engage targets similar to the Type 15, while its enhanced maneuverability allows for agile navigation through mountainous and high-altitude landscapes. This capability facilitates rapid deployment and strategic positioning in defensive and offensive operations. Furthermore, Zorawar’s logistical adaptability enables efficient operation in remote and austere environments, mitigating logistical challenges exacerbated by Ladakh’s geographical constraints.

It also features a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and smoke grenade launchers for increased operational versatility. The Zorawar tank can be airlifted by a C-17 aircraft making it strategically more flexible. This allows for quick deployment of up to two tanks at once to remote areas along the LAC.

Type 15

China has deployed Type 15 (VT5 ZTQ-15) light tanks in the Himalayas, which are designed for operation in mountainous areas. Type 15 is a "fresh" product of the defense industry of China: it was introduced in 2016. It is designed to provide direct support to infantry and light armored vehicles when storming enemy positions. The emphasis when creating them was on speed and maneuverability to the detriment of armor and firepower. While heavily armored vehicles, such as the T-72 and T-90 MBT, face difficulties in conditions of lack of oxygen, the Type 15 light tank can operate at high altitudes thanks to its powerful engine and oxygen generators. Its low weight and high power-to-weight ratio also make it more mobile compared to heavy tanks.

Equipped with a 105 mm rifled cannon with automatic loading and ammunition of 38 shells, the Type 15 is also armed with a remotely controlled 12.7mm machine gun and a 40 mm grenade launcher. It can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h on highways and 40 km/h off-road. The standard steel structure of the tank is reinforced with passive DZ units on the turret and sides. In addition, it can be equipped with a Chinese-made KAZ. The Type 15 boasts state-of-the-art electronics, including a laser rangefinder, night and IR optics, a warning sensor system, satellite communications, as well as inertial and satellite navigation systems.

The tank's hydropneumatic suspension allows the gun to be aimed at higher vertical angles than conventional tanks, which is useful for hitting targets in high-altitude combat conditions. According to Western observers, China has about 500 Type 15 tanks in service. Their deployment in the Himalayas revealed the limitations of the Indian armored arsenal, which relies heavily on MBT, unsuitable for operation at high altitudes. China’s deployment of the Type 15 tank, weighing 35 tons with a 105mm gun and a powerful 1000 horsepower engine, presents a significant strategic challenge along the LAC.

All this puts the scale ever so slightly in the favor of Zorawar Light Tank against the Type 15 Light Tank. Even though a comparison isn't exactly valid between the 2 tanks, as the latter is full 10 tons heavier than the former. But let us see which one scores over the other at times of strife when there is a real confrontation between India and China.