Surat-made Indian Light Tank ‘Zorawar’ to Roll Out Soon: Report

Surat: India will soon unveil its first homegrown AI-powered light tank, Zorawar, which is currently being manufactured at Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) facility in Hazira, according to a news report on Wednesday.

Zorawar, a highly versatile platform capable of deployment in high-altitude areas, is being developed jointly with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The tank marks a significant milestone in India’s defence production.

In its initial phase, about 400 Zorawar tanks will be built, each costing around ₹70 crore. The total projected requirement stands at around 1,000 units. Designed for all terrains, this next-generation tank can operate in deserts, plains, high-altitude areas, marshlands, and even shallow water bodies — making it India’s first AI-enabled tank with such versatility.

Zorawar weighs around 25 tonnes, significantly lighter than conventional 70-tonne tanks, allowing for quick deployment and airlifting via military aircraft. Built with a high-strength titanium body and 80-mm armour plating, it is optimized for combat in mountainous regions, particularly along the Indo-China border, including Ladakh. Following Operation Sindoor, the tank is also being evaluated for use along the Indo-Pak border, especially in Punjab, where its maneuverability in narrow spaces could prove strategically valuable.

As per the report, equipped for modern combat, Zorawar features an AI-enabled fire control system that can autonomously identify and lock on to targets, reducing crew size to just two or three members. It also includes an integrated anti-drone system capable of detecting and neutralizing aerial threats on its own. DeshGujarat