Alex Zino, Director of Business Development and Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce, has officially confirmed that the India's Zorawar Light Tank will be powered by the MTU 8V199 TE21 engine, as originally planned.
This clarification comes in response to earlier media reports suggesting a potential switch to a Cummins engine due to delays in obtaining German export clearance for the MTU engine.
Mr. Zino confirmed that while there were initial delays in obtaining the necessary export clearances, these issues have been resolved and the MTU 8V199 TE21 engine, delivering a powerful 600 kW (804hp) output, has been successfully integrated into the Zorawar platform.
The engine has already been delivered to L&T, the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for the Light Tank Program.
The MTU Series 199 engine, renowned as the best-selling tank engine in its power class, is celebrated for its exceptional power-to-weight and power-to-volume ratios.
Rolls-Royce is actively developing a variant of the MTU Series 199 engine that will deliver an impressive 800 kW (1000hp), further enhancing off-road mobility for heavier vehicles in the future.
While Rolls-Royce has provided assurances regarding the use of the MTU engine in the Zorawar Light Tank project, DRDO has not yet officially confirmed this information.
However, the resolution of the export clearance issues indicates a positive trajectory for the project's development with a powerful and reliable engine at its core.
The prospect of a future, even more potent version of the MTU Series 199 engine further strengthens the capabilities envisioned for the Zorawar Light Tank, underscoring India's commitment to developing advanced military technologies.
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