NEW DELHI — Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) in the Ministry of Defence’s competitive process to develop the Indian Army’s next-generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle-Indian Light Tank (AFV-ILT) under Project Zorawar. The programme is valued at nearly ₹20,000 crore.
The selection follows a three-year evaluation of technical and commercial bids from five entities, with TASL securing the L1 position. Mahindra Defence Systems emerged as the second-lowest bidder (L2).
Under the Make-1 category, the government will fund up to 70% of development costs. TASL will develop and demonstrate two prototypes within 130 weeks, while Mahindra Defence Systems will also be invited to develop its own prototype. The competitive approach is intended to maintain competition and strengthen the supply chain.
The bidding process was delayed after one competitor raised objections to the selection. The Indian Army and Defence Ministry examined the objections and found them invalid, allowing the programme to move forward towards the Production Order stage.
The Indian Army requires approximately 295 light tanks under this competitive Make-1 segment. The tanks are intended for high-altitude areas, deserts, marshlands and riverine terrain, where heavier main battle tanks can face mobility limitations.
The light tank is expected to be in the approximately 25-tonne weight class, allowing better mobility and air-transportability in restricted mountain areas. The platform is planned to have a 105–125 mm calibre main gun and speeds of up to around 60 km/h. TASL has proposed an indigenous turret system along with self-developed loitering munitions.
Project Zorawar is named after General Zorawar Singh Kahlon, the 19th-century Dogra military commander.
The programme marks the first time a private-sector company will fully build a battle tank for the Indian armed forces. TASL has previously supplied tactical trucks and infantry fighting vehicles to the Army, and the project expands its role into tracked armoured systems.
The wider Project Zorawar programme also includes a separate parallel effort by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for an initial batch of light tanks, while the competitive Make-1 process covers the larger requirement of approximately 295 tanks.
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