K9 Vajra Addition Brings Another ‘aatmanirbharta’ Push For India’s Defence

What is the new addition to Indian army?

The induction of K9 howitzer, manufactured by Larsen and Toubro has proven itself to be a big ‘aatmanirbharta’ or self-reliance commitment of the Indian defence. The K9 155mm howitzers, manufactured by Larsen and Toubro has already been bought by the Army.

K9 Vajra addition brings another ‘aatmanirbharta’ But after the first 100 guns, the purchase of an additional 100 will be discussed at the next high-level Defence Procurement Board meeting chaired by the defence secretary, Ajay Kumar, and including the three vice-chiefs of the armed forces and a senior representative of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. “K9 Vajra addition brings another ‘aatmanirbharta”.’A hundred guns are enough for 5 regiments of the artillery and since there is a likeliness of a repeat order, no trials are required. The deal will be valued at Rs 5,500 crore.

What is K9 Vajra?

The K9 Thunder is a South Korean 155 mm self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defence Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha Defense.

The K9-Vajra self-propelled howitzer weighs 50 tonnes and can strike enemy targets 50 kilometres away. These howitzers can also turn around at zero radius, basically at the same place where they are standing. Their induction will give a huge fillip to the firepower capability of Indian Army. The K9s have a maximum range of 28-38 km (up to 50 km by some accounts) and can fire three rounds in 30 seconds in ‘burst’ mode, 15 rounds in three minutes in ‘intense’ mode, and 60 rounds in 60 minutes in ‘sustained’ mode.

More future additions

Other than that, several deals, all indigenous, are on the agenda. They include 6,400 guided extended range rockets of the Pinaka rocket launchers and successor air defence guns for the Army. The rocket launchers project worth Rs 6000 crores will be divided between Explosive Economics Ltd and the government-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

Whoever is L1 or cheaper, after conforming to accepted standards, will get 60 per cent of the deal and the firm that is L2 will get 40 percent of the deal. Explosive Economics, a Nagpur based firm, has already supplied hand grenades to the Army. The project for the successor Air Defence Guns for the Army initially was about buying some and making the rest. Now, 220 guns will be made in India. About 140,000 rounds of ammunition are also being procured.