Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Larsen & Toubro's (L&T) Hazira facility near Surat on Friday and reviewed several indigenous defence projects being developed at the complex. The visit highlighted the growing importance of the facility in strengthening India's domestic defence manufacturing sector. It was Modi's first visit to the Hazira plant in nearly seven years, after his previous tour in 2019.

Located in Hazira, the advanced industrial complex has become one of the country's key centres for heavy engineering and defence production. During his visit, the Prime Minister inspected the facility's operations and examined a range of indigenous defence platforms being manufactured there. The Hazira plant is currently the largest private-sector producer of tracked armoured vehicles in India.

One of the major defence systems produced at the facility is the K-9 Vajra self-propelled artillery gun, which is used by the Indian Army. L&T has already delivered 100 K-9 Vajra artillery systems to the Army. Several of these guns have been deployed in the high-altitude regions of Eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control. Recognising the platform's operational significance, the Union government has approved the procurement of another 100 K-9 Vajra units.

The Hazira facility has also gained attention for manufacturing the first prototype of the indigenous Zorawar light tank. The prototype was rolled out from the A.M. Naik Heavy Engineering Complex, which is part of the Hazira facility. The tank was developed within 19 months and has been specially designed for deployment in mountainous and high-altitude areas. It is currently undergoing field trials before its potential induction into service.

Apart from artillery systems and light tanks, the facility is also playing a significant role in L&T's bid for the Indian Army's Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) programme. The project aims to replace the Army's ageing BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles with a modern and advanced platform. During his earlier visit to the facility in 2019, Prime Minister Modi was briefed on prototypes developed under the FICV programme.

The Hazira complex has regularly attracted the attention of senior government leaders because of its contribution to indigenous defence manufacturing. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had also visited the facility in January 2020. During that visit, he reviewed several defence platforms developed at the complex, including the K-9 Vajra artillery system.

Industry experts believe the facility's role in India's defence ecosystem is expected to expand further in the coming years. Potential future orders for the Zorawar light tank and possible success in securing the FICV programme could significantly strengthen the plant's position within the defence sector. Such developments could transform the Hazira complex into one of the country's most important defence manufacturing hubs.

The facility's growing capabilities are seen as a major boost to India's push for self-reliance in defence production. With the development of advanced indigenous military platforms and continued government support for domestic manufacturing, the Hazira plant is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the country's future defence requirements.