ANALYSIS
Reliable sources indicate that one of the major forthcoming initiatives is the expected finalisation of a deal by August to acquire 100 K9 Vajra-T artillery guns from Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts his third term, the Defence Ministry is set to begin an ambitious modernization plan, representing a key change in India’s defence capabilities. In the first 100 days of the new government, one major goal is to enhance the Indian Army’s artillery by acquiring advanced weapons.
Reliable sources indicate that one of the major forthcoming initiatives is the expected finalisation of a deal by August to acquire 100 K9 Vajra-T artillery guns from Larsen & Toubro (L&T). This strategic move aims to boost the Indian Army’s readiness and firepower. A second K9 consignment consisting of 100 howitzers will be upgraded for use in higher altitudes.
The Indian Army is already familiar with the K9 Vajra-T, having added 100 of these self-propelled howitzers to its arsenal. Initially bought for desert operations, these artillery guns have proven their versatility by being used in high-altitude areas near the Line-of-Actual Control (LAC) due to rising military activities by China. To make sure these systems work well in the extreme cold of the mountains, the army bought winterization kits for the deployed regiment. These kits include nine items, such as batteries, oils and lubricants that need protection from freezing at temperatures as low as -20°C.
L&T stated that the K9 Vajra-T systems was delivered with over 80% locally sourced work packages and more than 50% of their value coming from Indian-made parts, including indigenous production of more than 13,000 components per gun system. This involved a supply chain of around 1,000 industrial partners, mostly MSMEs.
Understanding K9 Vajra
1. Operational Stats
The K9 Vajra-T is a tracked self-propelled howitzer capable of firing 155mm shells. Tracked self-propelled’ means that the vehicle moves on continuous tracks (like a tank) and can drive itself without needing to be towed or pushed by another vehicle. It features a long 52-calibre barrel and is capable of shooting at high angles, making it effective for hitting distant targets.
It has a firing range of 38 kilometres.
India’s L&T has developed the K9 Vajra using technology from South Korean defence company Hanwha Aerospace, based on their K9 Thunder platform. This collaboration brought the advanced self-propelled howitzer—a large gun with a short barrel that can be fired at high angles. It is designed to launch shells over long distances—to the Indian market.
The K9—a weapon with a special system that helps it shoot quickly—has a semi-automatic loading system that helps it fire in quick bursts. It can shoot three rounds in 30 seconds, fire intensely with 15 rounds in 3 minutes and keep a steady rate of 60 rounds in an hour. The K9 can shoot three bullets in just 30 seconds when it is firing in short bursts.
The K9 is fitted with a 12.7mm machine gun and 500 rounds of ammunition. It is tough enough to handle fragments from 155 mm artillery shells and can resist anti-personnel mines. It has a secondary 12.7mm machine gun and carries 500 bullets for this. The vehicle is built to withstand damage from large 155mm artillery shell fragments and small landmines.
2. Fire Control Systems
The Vajra has a state-of-the-art digital fire control system. In Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) mode, it can fire several rounds so that they all hit the target area at the same time. In MRSI mode, it can shoot multiple shells in such a way that they land on the target at the same moment.
The K9 comes equipped with a Gunner’s Primary Sight—a tool that helps the gunner aim directly at their target. Each K9 version comes fitted with night-vision. It has a thermal warning device, which sends data to the digital fire control system to help prevent the barrel from getting too hot.
3. Crew for the K9
The crew consists of five members—a commander, a driver, a gunner and two loaders.
4. Platform for the K9
The gun can move up 70 degrees and down -2.5 degrees. It can also rotate a full 360 degrees thanks to its hydraulically powered turret.
The K9 engine is a water-cooled diesel engine with eight cylinders, made by MTU Friedrichshafen and it produces 1,000 horsepower.
The K9 can climb over obstacles 0.75 metres high, cross trenches 2.8 metres wide and move through water 1.8 metres deep.
Its hydro-pneumatic suspension system lets it handle a 30% side slope, climb a 60% gradient and make 360-degree turns using brake-torquing, similar to main battle tanks. It can also counter nuclear, biological and chemical threats.
5. Induction
The Indian Army first used the K9 in 2018. The 51st K9 was delivered in January 2019 and the 100th K9 arrived ahead of schedule on February 18, 2021. The army is in talks to order 100 more of these. The K9 Vajra was successfully deployed in Ladakh along the LAC with China.
(The author of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own and do not reflect those of DNA.
IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs New Zealand match
How To Prepare For The UPSC CSE 2025 Exam?
'India supports dialogue and diplomacy, not war': PM Modi at BRICS Summit
This woman lost in Dubai's desert orders camel via Uber, netizens say 'your camel has arrived'
Good news for Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm gets NPCI nod to..., shares surge over 7%
Fan requests Rohit Sharma to deliver her message to Virat Kohli, here's how Indian captain responded
Rajkummar Rao recalls being scammed in Delhi during struggle days: 'The man had...'
Robbers pose as customers in jewellery shop, what owner did next will leave you shocked
Maharashtra Elections 2024: NCP releases 1st list of 38 candidates; Ajit Pawar to contest from…
Japanese Shah Rukh Khan leaves Bollywood Badshah's fan impressed, social media says...
Will KL Rahul be retained by LSG ahead of IPL Auction? New report provides BIG update, it says...
'Wayanad will have two MPs': Rahul Gandhi after Priyanka files nomination for bypolls
I Want To Talk teaser: Abhishek Bachchan announces his next with Shoojit Sircar, to release on...
Diwali 2024: When is Deepawali, October 31 or November 1? Check dates, mahurat timings and more
JEE Main 2025 exam date to release TODAY: Know how to register, check exam calendar HERE
Jhalmuri fever hits London: Video of British man selling Kolkata-style street food goes viral, watch
SC slams Centre as Delhi air worsens, calls environment laws...
Ex-cricketer suggests replacing KL Rahul with THIS batsman for 2nd Test vs NZ, he is…
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee smashes bottle, hurls it towards Chair in row over Waqf meet
Know how Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani's children Isha Ambani and Akash Ambani got their names
Family finds venomous snakes under their bed, what happened next will leave you in shock
This company's Vice President gets fired after raise and bonus, reason will leave you shocked
Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Financial eyes JVs with Allianz SE in insurance sector
IMD's BIG update: Cyclone Dana forms over Bay of Bengal, to cross Odisha-Bengal coasts on...
This company gifts cars as Diwali bonus, calls its employees celebrities, is owned by…
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan skips her family gathering
When Ratan Tata opened up about his parents separation, first love and childhood, he said...
Blow to Mukesh Ambani ahead of Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani's birthday, Reliance stocks...
Saudi Arabia's futuristic megacity project Neom a big threat to migratory birds? Experts say...
Apple CEO Tim Cook didn’t know about this iPhone feature, left speechless, know here
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio offers superhit Diwali plan, unlimited 5G internet for just Rs...
Bengaluru Rains: Schools closed, WFH advisory for private companies as IMD issues yellow alert
Israel confirms killing of Hashem Safieddine, presumed successor of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah
Big move by Anil Ambani, his company to invest Rs 10000 crore to set up India's largest...
Meet Indian genius, who was born in small town, today leads AI innovations of Google, she is...
Woman stays at luxury resort worth Rs 3 lakh for free, claims she used...
Delhi AQI update: Air quality worsens to 'very poor' level at 349, becomes 'severe' in these areas
PM Modi to hold bilateral talks with Xi Jinping at BRICS Summit today
Odisha, West Bengal brace for Cyclone Dana: How was it named and what it means?
POCSO case: Mumbai Police ask Ekta Kapoor, her mother to appear for questioning tomorrow
Watch: Can you identify all the actors in this clip from 1991?
Priyanka Gandhi to file nomination for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll today
Meet woman, whose father used to sell milk, cracked UPSC exam with AIR 62 to become...
Delhi: No water supply in Capital for 12 hours on Friday due to…; check list of affected areas
Salman Khan resumes shooting for Sikandar amid death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi
India, Pakistan extend Kartarpur Sahib corridor agreement for five years
DNA TV Show: What is BRICS currency? Is it possible to introduce it today?
IPL 2025: Three-time IPL champion set to join Gujarat Titans as batting coach - Reports
PM Modi, Xi Jinping to hold bilateral meet on sidelines of BRICS Summit on Oct 23, first in 5 years
New Himalayan snake species named after Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio, it will be called…
Cyclone Dana: Schools closed in West Bengal, Odisha for 4 days from...
Delhi govt to provide special assistance of Rs 5000 monthly to...
Rape-accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with bone marrow cancer
IND vs NZ: Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul; Who will find a spot in 2nd Test? India coach says…
Mumbai Police interrogates Ekta Kapoor, her mother Shobha Kapoor in case under POCSO act
Mukesh Ambani may team up with govt to sell food products through...
Bengaluru: Several feared trapped as under-construction building collapses
Best Cheap VPS Hosting Providers: Top Picks for Hosting Under USD 10
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal set to raise Rs 8500 crore, says it is meant to...