India has successfully test-fired the indigenous Nag Mk-II anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) from the Zorawar light tank, marking a major step forward in the country’s push for a more agile and lethal armored fleet.
Developed by Bharat Dynamics Limited, the Nag Mk-II is a third-generation, fire-and-forget missile built to destroy modern tanks and armored vehicles with pinpoint precision.
Weighing 42 kilograms (93 pounds) and measuring 150 millimeters in diameter, the weapon packs a tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead capable of defeating explosive reactive armor.
Its top-attack profile lets it strike hostile tanks from above, targeting where the armor is weakest. An imaging infrared seeker also keeps it locked on even through smoke, dust, and darkness.
The missile travels at around 230 meters per second (515 miles per hour) and hits targets from 500 meters to 4 kilometers (0.3 to 2.5 miles) away.
Once launched, its fire-and-forget feature allows crews to relocate immediately, reducing exposure to counterfire.
Zorawar in Action
The Zorawar mounts a John Cockerill 3000-series 3105 turret with a high-pressure 105mm gun and stabilized day-night sights for precision fire.
The addition of the Nag Mk-II expands its reach, allowing standoff engagements at 7 to 10 kilometers (4.3 to 6.2 miles).
Under the hood, the light tank pairs a Cummins VTA903E-T760 diesel engine with a RENK HMPT-800 transmission, producing around 30 horsepower per ton at a 25-ton combat weight.
Hydropneumatic suspension and a modular frame enable steep climbs, river crossings, and rapid maneuvers where heavier tanks can’t go.
Cleared for operational use in 2022, the Zorawar reached full-profile firing trials in just two years, a fast turnaround for a new armored platform.
Expanding the Arsenal
The Zorawar-Nag Mk-II pairing comes amid a broader modernization drive across India’s armed forces.
On October 23, 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved procurement proposals worth about 79,000 crore rupees ($9.5 billion) to boost the army, navy, and air force.
For the army, the list includes the Nag Missile System Mk-II, ground-based mobile ELINT system, and high mobility vehicles with integrated cranes.
