India is ready for threats, will deploy Joravar on LAC, it is as fast as a cheetah

New Delhi. The trials of the advanced light tank Zorawar, jointly developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization and Larsen & Trubo, will begin soon in high altitudes. The army has started preparations for this. These tanks are specially designed to face China. They are to be deployed on the LAC. The first phase of the tank’s trials have been completed last month and now the trials are to be conducted in high and cold areas. Usually tanks weigh between 40-50 tonnes.

The most used tanks in India are T-72 weighing 41 tonnes and T-90 weighing 46 tonnes. Zorawar weighs less than 25 tonnes. This not only makes it easier to deploy them in high altitudes, but also improves performance. China has deployed similar light tanks near the LAC, which India realized during the clash in 2020.

DRDO and L&T were given the contract to manufacture 354 such tanks. In September, its first phase tests were conducted in the desert area of ​​Rajasthan which were successful. DRDO claims that they were successful on all parameters. But now the second phase tests are to be conducted in cold weather in high altitudes.

Lightest tank, speed 70 km per hour
Zoravar tanks have been prepared by DRDO’s Chennai-based laboratory Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE). These will be the lightest tanks made in the country. According to sources, currently their weight is around 25 tonnes and efforts are being made to reduce it further in the new versions. Due to the reduced weight, these tanks can run at a speed of 35/40 km per hour on unpaved areas. Whereas their maximum speed on the road is 70 km per hour.

Army withdrawal in final stage
The withdrawal of troops from the confrontation points Demchok and Depsang in eastern Ladakh is in the final stage after the agreement between India and China. In compliance with the agreements, Indian troops started bringing back their equipment from these areas. Army sources said last week that the agreement was only for these two confrontation points and negotiations are still going on for other areas. It was also told that patrolling will start in these areas after the military withdrawal started last week is completed.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday urged the military leadership to be prepared for the rapidly emerging geopolitical threats and opportunities. He emphasized that there is a need for all mechanisms of the government to work together with a more holistic approach to effectively strengthen national security. Jaishankar made this remark in his address on the closing day of the second phase of the Military Commanders Conference-2024. In this conference, senior officers of the Indian Army discussed important strategic issues affecting the security of the border areas and hinterland.

The conference took place at a time when the withdrawal of troops from two deadlock points in eastern Ladakh – Demchok and Depsang – is in its final stages as per an important consensus reached between India and China. The theme of Jaishankar’s address was ‘Global and geopolitical complexities: opportunities for India and expectations from the armed forces’. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi shared the stage with the External Affairs Minister.

Jaishankar said in a post on X, “Glad to address the Military Commanders’ Conference in Delhi today. Discussed the current geopolitical complexities, challenges, prospects and opportunities. Emphasised the need for all mechanisms of the government to work together with a more holistic approach to effectively strengthen national security.” The Defence Ministry said in a statement that the conference reaffirmed the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to readiness and adaptability, as the senior leadership resolved to “accelerate existing transformational initiatives” and actively contribute to various national efforts.

According to the statement, the Indian Army is fully dedicated to preparing to deal with existing and emerging challenges, emphasizing a visionary approach, to ensure a progressive, flexible and future-ready force in line with India’s strategic interests. It said that at the conference, the Foreign Minister outlined the complex global and geopolitical developments affecting India and highlighted the country’s expectations from the armed forces and the preparations needed to deal with the “contradictions and challenges of the current world order”.

According to the statement, Jaishankar emphasized on the vigilance of the Indian Army and urged the military leadership to be prepared for the rapidly emerging geopolitical threats and opportunities. It said that the Foreign Minister underlined the importance of technological advancements and lessons learned from ongoing conflicts in the world in shaping India’s strategic position. Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan in his address mentioned the success of the recently held Joint Commanders Conference in Lucknow. Highlighting the current security situation, Gen Chauhan emphasised the importance of joint working and better integration across all domains, which is crucial for effective conduct of future wars and operations.