The recent revelation by Jayant D Patil of L&T regarding delays in acquiring the MTU engine for the Zorawar Light Tank underscores India’s vulnerability in defense supply chains, prompting a pivot to a Cummins engine as a temporary solution. The Zorawar project, crucial for high-altitude combat, aims for full indigenization with DRDO developing a local engine. While the switch to Cummins offers immediate relief, it highlights the need for self-sufficiency in defense technology amid geopolitical risks. Experts advocate for fully indigenous solutions to ensure strategic readiness against adversaries like China, reinforcing the importance of the Make in India initiative in advancing defense capabilities.