The Indian government is seeking a middle ground to facilitate the swift induction of a initial limited batch of indigenous Zorawar light tanks, which are constructed by Larsen & Toubro, with superior-protected variants scheduled to follow. NDTV reported.

The Zorawar light tank was jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment alongside Larsen & Toubro.

Larsen & Toubro was entrusted with system integration, while Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises provided various subsystems.

The project received approval in March 2022, and the vehicle was unveiled on 6 July 2024 at Larsen & Toubro's plant in Hazira, taking under two years to construct. Such progress reflects an unusually rapid pace for major weapon systems developed in India.

Defence Secretary RK Singh noted during an address at the NDTV Defence Conclave 2026 that initial requirements are often expanded mid-way through development, causing delays in the induction process.

Singh indicated that extra requirements had been added prior to accepting the Zorawar for initial induction. Domestic defence manufacturers have frequently complained about shifting goalposts set by planners in the armed forces, referring to additional and sometimes inexplicable capability requirements that force manufacturers back to the drawing board.

The government remains intent on bringing the Zorawar into service in phases, despite the initial sanction of 59 tanks covering less than a fifth of the Army's full requirement of approximately 354 light tanks. Out of these 59 units, only around 18 are expected to be inducted in the first batch.

Singh stated that they attempted to find a middle way, leveraging his role to mediate differences. The plan involves introducing an initial MK-1 version of the Zorawar tank featuring a specific capability level, followed later by the balance. The initial batch of roughly 18 tanks will carry a slightly lower level of protection, whilst the remaining units will feature enhanced protection.

This initial order for the Zorawar MK-1 aims to ensure that Larsen & Toubro does not lose heart and cease work on the project. The Army has largely agreed to this arrangement, enabling the project to move forward in this manner.

The sanctioned cost for designing and developing the Zorawar, including a prototype, stood at ₹2,3450 Lakhs (₹234.5 crore), according to a Ministry of Defence reply in the Lok Sabha in July 2024. India required the armoured vehicle to counter China's Type-15 light tank along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh.

The Army's heavier T-72 and T-90 tanks experience a reduction in engine power at high altitude, whereas the Zorawar weighs approximately 25 tons, handles mountainous terrain effectively, and two units can be airlifted inside an Indian Air Force C-17 heavy transport aircraft. The tank completed high-altitude trials above 4,200 metres at Nyoma.

India is procuring roughly 354 light tanks across two distinct pathways. The first route covers the DRDO-designed Zorawar, with the Ministry of Defence nominating DRDO and Larsen & Toubro to supply the first 59 tanks. Singh expects Larsen & Toubro to receive an order for the initial 18 units shortly.

The second route encompasses the remaining 295 tanks under a Make-I competition, where the government funds up to 70% of prototype development costs. TATA Advanced Systems emerged as the lowest bidder in this program—reportedly valued at around ₹20,000 crore ($2.1 billion)—and is required to deliver two prototypes within 130 weeks. Mahindra Defence Systems Limited, the second-lowest bidder, will also construct a prototype.

The selection procedure took three years and experienced further delays owing to objections raised by a rival entity, which were subsequently scrutinised and deemed invalid.

Agencies