Defence Secretary Signals Fast-Tracking of Zorawar Light Tank Programme

The Defence Secretary has signalled that the Zorawar light tank programme will be fast-tracked, in remarks that underscore the government's push to accelerate indigenous armoured capability.

The Zorawar is a light tank developed jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Within DRDO, the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) led the development effort, while L&T was responsible for system integration.

A network of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) supplied subsystems for the platform, making the programme a collaborative effort spanning a large public research body, a major private defence firm and smaller industrial partners.

The Defence Secretary's remarks reflect a broader emphasis on speeding up the induction of domestically developed military hardware. The Zorawar programme, which brings together DRDO's research capabilities and L&T's integration expertise, is positioned within that effort.

Further details on timelines and next steps were not immediately available.