India’s indigenous Zoravar Light Tank is now going to be equipped with state-of-the-art Adaptive Thermal Camouflage System. With the help of this new technology, the tank will be able to hide its heat i.e. thermal signature, due to which enemy drones, thermal cameras and electro-optical sensors will not be able to track it easily. weighing 25 tons Zoravar Tank It is being developed jointly by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). It has been specially designed for deployment in high altitude areas like eastern Ladakh and northern borders. It will compete with China’s Type-15 light tanks.
Under the new technology, Flexible Adaptive Thermal Camouflage Pads will be installed on the tank. These panels will be able to heat or cool themselves as per the need, so that the temperature of the tank resembles the surrounding environment. This will make it extremely difficult for the enemy’s thermal sensors to identify the tank.
This system will continuously monitor the outside temperature. The thermal camouflage system of the tank will keep the temperature of the outer surface of the tank 3 degrees Celsius above or below the temperature of the surrounding environment. Normally in snowy areas, the tank is easily visible in the thermal camera due to the hot engine, but this technology will eliminate that weakness to a great extent.
How does Zorawar Tank’s thermal camouflage technology work?
Each camouflage panel will be equipped with FPGA based microcontroller and sensors, which will measure the surrounding temperature in real time. Conductive ink will be used to generate heat and flexible Peltier technology will be used to provide cooling.
These panels will be made of light Kapton and PET material so that the weight of the tank does not increase much. Each panel will be approximately 200mm x 200mm in size and can be easily installed or replaced with the help of Velcro and military-grade connectors.
This system will be able to work in difficult weather ranging from -30°C to 50°C. Each panel will have a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which will keep the system running continuously for at least three hours, the special thing is that even if the main power system of the tank fails, the rest of the camouflage system will still continue to function.
Strategic importance of Zorawar tank in Ladakh
This technology can give a huge strategic advantage to the Zorawar tank equipped with 105mm main cannon in mountainous battlefields. By adopting the surrounding rocks and ice-like temperatures, this tank will be able to remain hidden from enemy sight for a long time.
The Indian Army felt the need for lighter and faster tanks for high-altitude areas. After this the Zorawar project was taken forward rapidly. In the year 2022, DRDO and L&T formally started work on the development of this light tank. Its first prototype appeared in July 2024 and initial trials began.
Its mobility, firepower and survival trials were conducted in desert and high altitude areas during late 2024 and 2025. During this time, work on features like Active Protection System, Thermal Camouflage and Advanced Sensor Integration also intensified.
DRDO-L&T’s indigenous Adaptive Thermal Camouflage System
If all user trials are successful, limited series production and initial induction are likely to begin by 2026-27. And by 2027-28 it can be included in the Indian Army on a large scale.
The Indian Army is said to require more than 350 light tanks, so that it can effectively respond to China’s Type-15 light tanks on the northern borders. Currently only a few countries in the world are working on active thermal camouflage technology. In such a situation, the use of this technology in Zorawar is being considered a major achievement in India’s defense technology and future war preparations.
Read this also- TV9 INSIDER: Why did India prefer Israel’s Spike Missile instead of American Killer Javelin Missile?
Leave a Reply