Since the deadly clash at Galwan Valley in the Eastern Ladakh region, the military deployment from both sides of the border has increased exponentially. Despite numerous rounds of talks to ease tensions, China is constantly increasing its military infrastructure along the borders. Damien Symon, a satellite imagery expert, revealed that China has recently constructed a new random structure to provide early warning or surface monitoring data to its troops in the disputed border areas. Considering these military build-ups, India has also increased its military capabilities around the Line of Actual Control.
As war with China cannot be ruled out in the near future, the Indian Army has launched Project Zorawar to increase its firefighting capabilities in the high-altitude regions. Zorawar will be the name of the Light Tanks of the Indian Army that have been envisaged to be manufactured locally. Considering the unfavourable geographical location along the LAC, a specially designed light tank infantry is the need of the hour to counter the Chinese aggression in the Himalayan areas.
Project Zorawar: Light Weight, Heavy Fire Power
Reports suggest that after aggression from China, India deployed multiple battle tanks along the LAC to check its operational capabilities. Although the current tanks were sustainable in war-like situations, but in higher altitude areas the need for a lighter tank with equal fire capabilities was felt.
Explaining the requirement of the Zorawar tanks, sources from the military in talks to The New Indian Express said, “A light agile platform with high power to weight ratio with substantial firepower, protection, surveillance, and communication capabilities is essential to provide the Indian Army the versatility to execute operations in different terrains against diverse threats and equipment profile of the adversaries.”
Considering the requirements, the Indian army launched Project Zorawar to procure new lightweight tanks. Zorawar, also known as the Armoured Fighting Vehicle-Indian Light Tank (AFV-ILT), will provide multiple deployment options along with the niche technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Drone integration, an Active Protection System, and a High Degree of Situation Awareness. Project Zorawar is designed to operate from high altitude areas, on difficult terrain and island areas. Being highly transportable for rapid deployment, to meet any war like situations, Zorawar will prove to be a game changer in Himalayan warfare.
Also read: China lost more men than it reported in Galwan clash with India, clarifies a new Australian report
War With China Can Not Be Ruled Out
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, on multiple occasions, has highlighted the tensions along the border. Delivering a lecture on ‘India’s Vision of the Indo-Pacific’ at the prestigious Chulalongkorn University Thailand, he said that at the moment India-China relationship is going through an extremely difficult phase after what China did at the border.
Jaishankar’s statements are aligned with successive failures of border talks with China. From the Galwan clash in 2020 till July 17 this year, 16 rounds of military talks have been completed. No round of military talks has been able to bring any breakthrough in resolving the dispute and the situation remained tense in the area around the clash point.
Moreover, China enhanced its military presence in the sensitive area. Reports suggest that China has deployed 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers in the area and is also increasing its military infrastructure. Also, as a part of a new border management strategy along LAC with India, China is building “Dual-use villages”. These villages look like civilian settlements, but in reality, they are extended cantonment buildings with storage facilities, reinforced bunkers, and connecting roads to possible tunnels.
Disputed land between #Bhutan & #China near Doklam shows construction activity between 2020-21, multiple new villages spread through an area roughly 100 km² now dot the landscape, is this part of a new agreement or enforcement of #China's territorial claims ? pic.twitter.com/9m1n5zCAt4
— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) November 17, 2021
Also read: China admits that they were outclassed and thrashed by Indian soldiers in Galwan
These military build-ups along the border are nothing but a threat to the territorial sovereignty of India. Consequently, it is important that India is battle ready in every condition to counter any small or outright strike from China. India must be ready to meet any mis-adventurous steps from China. Project Zorawar is one of the many key projects that India has launched to enhance its capabilities. With other military deployments, India is now ready for the long game ahead along the LAC.
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