European defence giant John Cockerill partners with Indian firm for Zorawar light tank programme

New Delhi: European defence major John Cockerill and Indian firm Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics Ltd on Tuesday firmed up a joint venture to produce turrets for the Indian Army's Zorawar light tank programme.

Officials of Belgium-headquartered John Cockerill said the joint venture (JV) would explore the export market for the turrets besides supplying components to the Indian Army.

India is developing the Zorawar tank, a highly versatile platform, to boost the Army’s combat capabilities along the contested frontier with China.

A turret is a rotating heavily armoured structure on a tank connecting the gun to the hull. The JV will focus on manufacturing, assembling, and commissioning turrets for the Indian Army’s light tank programme, a critical initiative aimed at enhancing India’s defence capabilities in extreme and challenging terrains, the two companies said.

The JV Is also eyeing to manufacture turrets for export markets. It will be for the first time that John Cockerill will produce turrets in a country outside of Europe.

“John Cockerill is a partner to India in making the country a manufacturing hub for the world,” Chief Executive Officer of John Cockerill Defense, Thierry Renaudin, said.

“Our joint venture with Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics Pvt Ltd highlights our unwavering commitment to supporting India’s defence modernisation and self-reliance goals,” he said.

Renaudin also said the partnership will provide India with powerful and customised defence solutions. Vivek Bhide, Regional President, India, and Group Transformation Officer of John Cockerill, added: “The defence sector is critical to the security of the nation. Therefore, it is important to encourage and develop India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.” The JV aims to equip India’s armed forces with advanced defence solutions for diverse and challenging combat environments, he said.

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