The DRDO light tank is a tracked amphibious

light tank A light tank is a tank variant initially designed for rapid movements in and out of combat, to outmaneuver heavier tanks. It is smaller in size with thinner armor and a less powerful main gun, tailored for better tactical mobility and ease of ...

developed in

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

DRDO The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) (IAST: ''Raksā Anūsandhān Evam Vikās Sangaṭhan'') is the premier agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in Ministry of Defence of the Government of India, ...

. It is based on the "Sarath" chassis, a licensed variant of BMP, built by the

Ordnance Factory Medak Ordnance Factory Medak (OFMK) (Hindi: आयुध निर्माणी मेदक), previously called Ordnance Factory Project Medak (OFPM) while in its development stage, is a factory owned by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited , a company that ...

with a French GIAT TS-90 turret and 105 mm gun. This was an experimental vehicle, designed to carry high-caliber weapons without sacrificing mobility.

Development

The "Design and Development of Light Tank on BMP-I" project approved in 1983 was intended to be completed in 1986. It never reached completion but continued in production and trials until 1996 at a total cost of Rs 4.53 crore (Rs 2.91 through foreign exchange), well beyond its estimated Rs 2.54 crore. The army, which had inspired the project with a 1976 GSQR, determined in July 1985 that a light tank on BMP was not needed, but did not withdraw its association from the project and even made suggestions that led in 1988 to 105mm turrets being implemented rather than the planned 90mm turrets. In May 1993, a year after the project left the

Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Located at Avadi, in Chennai, India. It is the main DRDO lab involved in the development of Armoured fighti ...

, Avadi, to come under the governance of

Vehicle Research and Development Establishment Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) is a laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) located at Vahannagar near Ahmednagar. Its primary function is research and development of various light tracked, whee ...

Ahmednagar Ahmednagar (), is a city located in the Ahmednagar district in the state of Maharashtra, India, about 120 km northeast of Pune and 114 km from Aurangabad. Ahmednagar takes its name from Ahmad Nizam Shah I, who founded the town in 1494 ...

, the Army again announced that the light tank was unnecessary. Nevertheless, firing trials continued until August 1996, notwithstanding the February 1994 recommendation of the scientific advisor to Raksha Mantri that the project be closed.

Features

*Crew: 3 men for turret *Main Gun: 105 mm semi-automatic with muzzle brake *Turret: Al alloy with 12.7 AP protection level *Ammunition: APFSDS, APDS, HESH *Fire Control System (FCS): COTAC semi-automatic *Stowing capability: Main gun–42 rounds (turret–10 rounds; ammunition compartment–32 rounds) *Accurate ranging by Laser Range Finder (LRF) *Low-light level TV for commander and gunner *Panoramic sight for Commander *Amphibious capabilities

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Drdo Light Tank Light tanks of India Defence Research and Development Organisation Light tanks of the Cold War