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Indian Light Tank Zorawar
TrialsThe Prime Minister reviewed the first Zorawar prototype at Hazira on 5 June 2026, one day after the Army chief described ongoing design refinement and a 2028-29 induction projection.
On June 5, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the first Zorawar prototype at Larsen & Toubro's Hazira facility and was briefed on its capabilities. One day earlier, the Army chief said issues found during development and trials were being addressed through normal design refinement and projected induction in 2028-29, subject to successful trials, user evaluation and production readiness. An October 17, 2025 Ministry of Defence social-media post cited by Janes said DRDO fired a Nag Mk 2 anti-tank guided missile from Zorawar for the first time and met range, top-attack manoeuvrability and accuracy objectives. The prototype had already fired accurately above 4,200 metres in December 2024 after completing its first desert developmental firing phase in September, while the Indian Air Force demonstrated its airliftability. Developed by DRDO's CVRDE with Larsen & Toubro, it combines a 105 mm gun with amphibious mobility and high-angle fire, against an Army requirement reported as 315-354 tanks. Zorawar matters because a lighter, air-transportable tank can move firepower into India's high-altitude frontier faster than the heavier T-72 and T-90 fleets.
Updated 11 Jun 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Combat weight | 25-ton class ↗ |
| Main armament | 105 mm gun ↗ |
| Turret | Modified John Cockerill 3105 ↗ |
| Remote weapon station | Lightweight ROWS with 12.7 mm machine gun ↗ |
| Anti-tank missile fit | Turret-side ATGM launcher; Nag Mk 2 firing demonstrated ↗ |
| Smoke dischargers | 16, arranged in four banks of four ↗ |
| Demonstrated altitude | More than 4,200 m ↗ |
| Strategic mobility | Airlift capability demonstrated by the Indian Air Force ↗ |
| Water mobility | Amphibious ↗ |
| High-angle fire role | Can fire at high elevation and serve as limited artillery ↗ |
| Crew | 3 ↗ |
Spec sources: pib.gov.in ↗ · hindustantimes.com ↗ · janes.com ↗ · hindustantimes.com ↗ · defensenews.com ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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The Economic Times reported that the Army had sought enhanced protection for Zorawar, creating a possible delay of up to two years.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the first Zorawar prototype at Larsen & Toubro's Hazira facility in Gujarat and was briefed on its capabilities.
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Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi said issues found during development and trials were being addressed through normal design refinement and put likely induction in 2028-29, subject to successful trials, user evaluation and production readiness.
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A Ministry of Defence social-media post said DRDO fired the Nag Mk 2 anti-tank guided missile from Zorawar for the first time and met objectives for range, top-attack manoeuvrability and accuracy.
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The Indian Light Tank fired multiple rounds accurately at different ranges above 4,200 metres; DRDO said more internal trials would precede user trials.
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DRDO completed Zorawar's first phase of developmental field firing and preliminary automotive trials in desert terrain, reporting that intended objectives and required accuracy were achieved.
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The Ministry of Defence told Parliament that the first light-tank prototype had been realised and that the sanctioned project cost was Rs 234.5 crore, including design, development and one prototype.
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Hindustan Times reported that DRDO chief Samir V Kamat reviewed the first Zorawar prototype at Larsen & Toubro's Hazira facility in Gujarat when the tank was unveiled.
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The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for Indian Army light tanks within a 24-proposal package valued at Rs 84,328 crore.
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The Defence Acquisition Council granted in-principle Make-I approval for development of an Indian Light Tank.
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