DRDO conducts successful trial of light tank, air missiles

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted preliminary automotive trials of Indian light tank Zorawar, a versatile platform designed for deployment in high-altitude areas.

During the field trials conducted in desert terrain, the light tank demonstrated exceptional performance, meeting all intended objectives. In the initial phase, Zorawar’s firing capabilities were rigorously evaluated, achieving the required accuracy on designated targets.

Zorawar was developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), a unit of DRDO, in collaboration with Larsen and Toubro Ltd. Various Indian industries, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), contributed to the development of sub-systems, highlighting the strength of indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, the Indian Army, and all industry partners for the successful trials, describing the achievement as a significant milestone towards India’s goal of self-reliance in critical defence systems and technologies.

Meanwhile, India on Friday successfully test-fired the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM) for the second consecutive day from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur on the Odisha coast, defence sources said.

A statement from the DRDO confirmed that both tests on September 12 and 13 were successful. “In both the tests, the missile successfully intercepted a high-speed low altitude aerial target mimicking sea skimming aerial target,” the statement said. The missile showcased its precision and capability to neutralise targets, the statement said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO, the Indian Navy and all associated teams for the successful flight tests and stated that this missile equipped with modern technologies will give further technological boost to the Armed Forces, it said. For safety reasons, the Balasore district administration temporarily relocated 3,100 residents from six villages within 2.5 km radius of ITR Launch Pad 3. Secretary of Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams involved in the flight tests of the VLSRSAM system. — (With PTI inputs)