The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) of the defence ministry on Thursday accorded the approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 24 Capital Acquisition Proposals.

According to defence officials, the proposals include six for the Indian Army, six for the Indian Air Force, 10 for the Indian Navy and two for the Indian Coast Guard for a total value of Rs 84,328 crore. It is pertinent to mention that 21 proposals, worth Rs 82,127 crore (97.4 per cent), are approved for procurement from indigenous sources. This unprecedented initiative of DAC will not only modernise the Armed Forces but also provide a substantial boost to the defence industry to achieve the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

The AoNs accorded will equip the Indian Army with platforms and equipment such as Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles, Light Tanks and Mounted Gun Systems providing a quantum jump to the Indian Army’s operational preparedness. Proposals approved also include the procurement of Ballistic Helmets, with enhanced protection levels, for our soldiers, stated an official statement from Defence Ministry.

Approvals for procurement of Naval Anti-Ship Missiles, Multi-Purpose Vessels and High Endurance Autonomous Vehicles will further enhance maritime strength giving a boost to the Indian Navy’s capabilities.

Indian Air Force will be further strengthened with enhanced lethal capabilities by the induction of a new range of missile systems, Long Range Guided Bombs, Range Augmentation Kit for conventional bombs and advanced surveillance systems.

The procurement of Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Indian Coast Guard will enhance surveillance capability in the coastal areas to new heights.

This tank has been designed to operate in different terrains – from High Altitude Area (HAA) to Island Territories and also marginal Terrain. These tanks are capable of being deployed faster and are expected to be deployed in Eastern Ladakh.

The Army felt the need for these tanks following the aggression of the Chinese Troops as they made advances towards Pangong Tso in 2020.   

In August this year, Financial Express Online had reported that the Indian Army was awaiting the Ministry of Defence approval for these light tanks which will be manufactured in India under the `https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/project-zorawar-know-all-about-it/2924879/">Make in India’ initiative.

The tanks that the Indian Army has deployed are heavy – 45-70 tonnes are operating in deserts and plains — Russian T-72 or T-90 or indigenous Arjun tank. The Light Tanks under Project Zorawar is expected to be around 25 tonnes.

Along the LAC in eastern Ladakh, close to China the terrain is difficult – one has to cross through several passes and in such a situation heavy tanks like the T-72 and others cannot reach the location when required during operations.

Features

These tanks according to sources will have the same fire power as heavy tanks and are expected to have artificial intelligence (AI) equipped drones.  Because of their light weight these tanks can easily move from high mountains to passes.

While China has already deployed light tanks on the LAC in eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army has deployed T-72 tanks. However, the Army is now focusing on acquiring Light tanks under Project Zoravar for faster deployment.

Even Pakistan has inducted state-of-the-art tanks – a mix of medium and light weight and technologically advanced.

What is Project Zorawar?

This is an indigenously designed and developed Light Tank named `Zorawar’ which is meant to modernize the armoured wing of the Indian Army to deal with the emerging threats and modern warfare challenges.

Who was Zorawar?

General Zorawar Singh Chandel (Kalhuria) - The General who conquered Tibbet, Gilgit, Skardu & Baltistan to Jammu & Kashmir Kingdom under Dogra Rule.

In reference to his legacy of conquests in the Himalaya Mountains including Ladakh, Tibet, Baltistan and Iskardu as General and Wazir, Zorowar Singh has been referred to as the “Napoleon of India”, and “Conqueror of Ladakh”. Reason why we still have a claim on Aksai Chin & POJK.

It’s really so weird, that first our history is wiped and then if it comes to light, it’s being tried to shift this from our possession. General Zorawar Singh Kalhuria, a Hindu Chandel Rajput from Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh). Zeneral Zorawar Singh Chandel Whose ancestors the Chandel Rajputs of Jejakabhukti once repulsed the inavsion of Muhammad of Ghor & built the world famous Khajuraho temple in MP. Zorawar Singh Chandel (1784–12 December 1841) was a military general of Dogra Rajput ruler Gulab Singh Jamwal of Jammu & Kashmir.

The Great Dogra General Zorawar Singh was an intense Shiv Bhakt who even had named his special force as Shivji Fateh that still continues to be the name of 4th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (JAKRif- formerly J&K State Forces). He dreamt of freeing the Kailash-Mansarovar, the holy land of his God from clutches of unholy ones & then annexing it into country of Dogras which he made possible after defeating Ladakhi franchisee of Chinese then gradually, Zorawar Singh conquered Tibet and Mansarovar, then worshipped Bhagavān Mahadev by installing a Shiv Linga there.

The conqueror of forts, Tibetans, Baltees and Qing Empire, the General of Dogra kingdom - Skardu town was situated at 2,270 metres above the sea. Aurangzeb once tried to occupy fort but failed. General Zorawar Singh occupied this insurmountable fort and annex areas of Baltistan.

"Far, oriental though, he was, we cannot help admiring a greatness in this man by which he by far surpassed his surroundings. Chinese standard “Flying Tiger” was captured by Dogra force by defeating combined army of China and Tibet in 1841.

After conquering Tibet he moved to mainland China but due to lack of supply, unprecedented weather, he met same fate as Napoleon. His soldiers starved, fell ill. Then came ruthless gigantic mainstream Chinese Army. But the Dogras were ferocious- Shaivite armies have always been. With the of acclamation of Shiv-Shakti they fought against their enemies.Even when highly outnumbered, the Dogras inflicted unimaginable casualties against the Chinese. When out of ammo, even hand to hand combat followed. Present 4 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles is the same Fateh Shibji paltan of the Dogras which defeated the Tibetan Chinese forces in this battle.

But one fateful day General Zorawar was hit by a bullet at his right shoulder and came down of his horse and started fighting with his left hand using his sword. A severe lancer ambush was directed on him and due to a serious lance strike he was martyred on the spot. On the death of their commander, his troops were thrown in disorder.They fled helter-skelter. Hence the saga of military adventures of ‘Napoleon of the East’ ended on the 12th December 1841. Next day the Dogra soldiers avenged the death of their commander by executing the enemy commander.Basti Ram Mehta, the first Commanding Officer of Shivji Fateh, the unit he led in action in Tibet, took over the command. If General Zorawar Singh hadn’t done what he did, Ladakh would have been in China and Chinese would have been lurching around Kishtwar. Chinese realized it will be pure suicide to attack the Dogra Land- because if Dogras can damage this much in hostile territory, what they can do in their own land is a pure nightmare. Chinese never dared to lead any military expedition into country ruled of Dogras. The Rajputs of Jammu and Himachal had traditionally been excellent mountain fighters.

Zorawar Singh Chandel - The Liberator of Kailash. He proved himself a true soldier in the endurances of the extraordinary hardships and in setting an example of personal courage. General Zorawar Singh died on 12th December, 1841 A.D. in the battle of ToYo. Lands from Aksai Chin and Kailash-Manasarovar to Gilgit Baltistan and Jammu are marked with the blood, valor and sacrifice of Maharaja Gulab Singh Ji, General Zorawar Singh and thousands of brave Dogra sons of the soil. Truly the Bravest of the Brave.

References:

indianarrative.com