Ministry of Defence Approves Purchase of 300 K9 Vajra Howitzers

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Key takeaways

The Ministry of Defence approved the procurement of over 300 additional K9 Vajra-T howitzers valued at more than Rs 20,000 crore.
Manufactured by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in Hazira, Gujarat, in partnership with South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace, the system features an operational range of up to 50 km.
The newly authorized batch increases the required domestic manufacturing content from 50% to over 70%.
Engineers customized the howitzer with specialized cold-weather kits to maintain combat readiness in extreme high-altitude regions above 14,000 feet along the LAC and LoC.

The Ministry of Defence gave in-principle approval through an Acceptance of Necessity to buy more than 300 additional K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers.
This strategic military procurement involves an estimated investment exceeding Rs 20,000 crore.

The K9 Vajra is a 155 mm, 52-calibre heavy tracked self-propelled artillery gun that delivers powerful long-range firepower.
It combines the off-road mobility of a tank with an armored steel hull to execute quick shoot-and-scoot attacks on modern battlefields.
Indian company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) manufactures the artillery system at its Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, Gujarat.
The manufacturing process involves a direct technical partnership with Hanwha Aerospace from South Korea.
This weapon system aims to provide heavy, deep-strike artillery support that moves alongside armored vehicles while surviving enemy counter-attacks across various terrains.

The artillery gun hits targets up to 40 km away using standard shells and reaches up to 50 km with rocket-assisted shells, firing 6 to 8 rounds per minute.
An automated fire control system helps the gun fire several shells and move to a new location within minutes to avoid enemy radar detection.
Its fully welded steel body and rotating turret protect the crew from mine blasts, shell fragments, and small-arms fire from all directions.
The current model uses over 50% local components, while the new batch will raise this indigenous content above 70%.
Special winter kits, heated batteries, and custom lubricants allow the machine to operate smoothly in sub-zero Himalayan regions above 14,000 feet.

Deploying these guns strengthens India's artillery power along the LAC and LoC against foreign armored units and infantry formations.
The project boosts domestic defense manufacturing through tech transfers and builds strong supply networks for military vehicles.