New Delhi: The Indian Light Tank (ILT) has reached a major milestone by successfully firing multiple rounds across varied ranges at an altitude exceeding 4,200 meters in a high-altitude location. The trials yielded consistently accurate results and followed Phase I trials conducted in the desert environment in September 2024.
The ILT was conceptualized, designed, and developed by the Chennai-based Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The tank was built to meet the Indian Army’s Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements and is manufactured by industry partner Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Precision Engineering & Systems.
Designed as a 25-ton class armored fighting vehicle, the ILT addresses the Armed Forces’ operational needs for high-altitude applications. The complete process—from design to high-altitude demonstration—was accomplished in just three years.
Additionally, the Indian Air Force showcased the ILT’s airlift capability, demonstrating its potential for rapid deployment in remote and challenging terrains inaccessible by road or rail. These capabilities were tested during two phases of internal performance trials, conducted with active support from both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The ILT will now undergo further trials before being offered for user evaluations.
