To modernize the Indian Army, the Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited to procure 155 mm/52-caliber K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns.
The contract, which will cost around 7,629 crores, was signed between senior MoD officials and representatives of L&T in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in South Block, New Delhi, on December 20, 2024.
What is K9 VAJRA-T?
The K9 VAJRA-T is a 155mm, 52-caliber self-propelled howitzer gun. It was designed and developed by the South Korean Agency for Defence Development with private industries, including Dongmyeong Heavy Industries, Kia Heavy Industry, and Samsung Aerospace. Currently, it is manufactured by Hanwha Aerospace. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) manufactures the K9 VAJRA-T under license in India using 50 percent Indigenous content, including Nub ammunition capable of FCS and its storage, communication system, and environment control and NBC protection systems, which are manufactured by 14 major Indian Defence companies.
The Indian Army deployed 100 K9 VAJRA-T guns procured in 2015. These guns were primarily designed and procured for deployment in desert areas. However, during the stand-off with China in Ladakh in 2021, the Indian Army deployed a significant number of K-9 VAJRA-T guns in its northern borders. The Indian Army has rigorously tested these guns in high-altitude areas. Their long range and higher rate of fire make them lethal and can outperform in all terrains.
The Indian Army employs an array of howitzer guns, including the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), K9 VAJRA-T, M777 Howitzer, and FH77 (Bofors). The Indian Army aims to replace older Artillery Systems, such as Bofors FH-77B Howitzers, 130mm M46 Towed guns, and 105 mm Artillery Systems, with more advanced systems, such as the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), K-9 Vajra-T and Indigenous Dhanus guns. In its modernization efforts, the Indian Army has signed a contract worth Rs. 700 crores with Bharat Forge and Tata Advance Systems Ltd to procure 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS).
K9 VAJRA-T will not only modernize and enhance the Indian Army’s operational readiness but also generate employment and bolster GOI’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” through “Make in India” in defense manufacturing.
