Overview
The Indian Army is preparing a mega deal to buy over 300 K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers. The project is valued at about ₹23,000 crore. If approved, it will be the largest artillery purchase in decades. The guns are made in India by Larsen & Toubro and can hit targets over 40 km away.
What is Project K9 Vajra?
The K9 Vajra-T is a powerful mobile artillery gun. It is a 155mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer . This means it has a large gun mounted on a tank-like body with tracks. It can move fast across deserts, mountains, and plains. The gun can fire shells at enemy targets located more than 40 kilometres away (1; 4). The K9 Vajra-T is based on the famous South Korean K9 Thunder platform. It is made in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under a technology transfer agreement with Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea.
Previous Orders: 200 Guns Already Inducted
The Indian Army has already ordered K9 Vajra guns in two earlier contracts.
The first contract was signed in 2017 for 100 guns at a cost of about ₹4,500 crore (0; 2). Deliveries were completed ahead of schedule in 2021 (4). These guns were mostly deployed in the desert sectors along the western border with Pakistan.
A second contract for another 100 guns was signed by the Ministry of Defence in December 2023 for about ₹7,600 crore (3; 4). These guns have been deployed in high‑altitude areas like Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
The New Proposal: Over 300 Additional Guns
Now, the Indian Army is preparing a proposal to buy more than 300 additional K9 Vajra-T howitzers (0; 4). The estimated value of this mega deal is approximately ₹23,000 crore (0). The proposal is expected to be placed before the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) soon (0; 4). If approved, this will be the single largest artillery procurement by the Indian Army in decades (0; 4). The total number of K9 Vajra guns ordered by India would then exceed 500 (0).
Why Does the Army Need These Guns?
The K9 Vajra offers several advantages over older towed artillery guns.
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High Mobility: Tracked self‑propelled guns can move quickly across difficult terrain. They can “shoot and scoot” – fire and then immediately change position to avoid counter‑attack.
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Crew Protection: The crew sits inside an armoured cabin. This protects them from enemy fire, shell fragments, and extreme weather.
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Long Range: With a range of over 40 km, the guns can hit enemy positions from a safe distance (1).
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High Rate of Fire: The K9 Vajra can fire three rounds in 30 seconds and 15 rounds in three minutes (1).
The army needs to strengthen its long‑range firepower on two fronts simultaneously – the western border with Pakistan and the northern border with China (4). The K9 Vajra has already been successfully tested in the cold deserts of Ladakh (4). An adapted version performed very well in those high‑altitude, extreme cold conditions.
How the K9 Vajra-T is Made in India
The K9 Vajra is a shining example of the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Under the first contract, the first 10 guns were assembled from imported parts. But the remaining 90 were largely manufactured in India at L&T’s Hazira facility in Gujarat (2). The latest proposed order would further boost indigenous defence manufacturing. It would create jobs and enhance the country’s self‑reliance in critical military hardware.
A Human Touch: What This Means for a Soldier
For a soldier deployed on the border, these guns are a lifeline. Imagine being stationed in a remote outpost in Ladakh, where temperatures drop to minus 40 degrees. You need artillery support that can reach the enemy from a safe distance. The K9 Vajra, with its advanced fire control system, can deliver accurate fire in all weather conditions. It also protects the crew from the bitter cold and enemy fire. For the soldier, this is not just a machine – it is a shield and a sword.
The Road Ahead
The proposal is expected to be discussed by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) in June 2026 (0). The DPB is a key body that approves major defence acquisitions. After the DPB’s approval, the proposal will go to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final clearance. If all goes as planned, the new guns will be delivered over the next few years.
Conclusion
The Indian Army’s plan to buy over 300 additional K9 Vajra-T howitzers is a major step towards strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities. These ‘Made in India’ guns are powerful, mobile, and battle‑proven. They will provide the army with the firepower it needs to protect our borders. This ₹23,000 crore deal, if approved, will be one of the biggest artillery procurements in decades and a major boost to India’s quest for self‑reliance in defence.
Exam-Focused Points
| Aspect |
Details |
| Project Name |
K9 Vajra-T (Indian variant of South Korean K9 Thunder) |
| Type |
155mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer |
| Manufacturer in India |
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) |
| Technology Partner |
Hanwha Aerospace (South Korea) |
| Maximum Range |
Over 40 km (can fire up to 40-50 km) |
| Rate of Fire |
3 rounds in 30 seconds; 15 rounds in 3 minutes |
| Engine |
German 1,000 hp MTU MT 881 Ka-500 V8 diesel |
| First Contract |
2017 – 100 guns – ₹4,500 crore – deliveries completed 2021 |
| Second Contract |
December 2023 – 100 guns – ₹7,600 crore |
| New Proposal (June 2026) |
Over 300 guns – estimated ₹23,000 crore |
| Total Guns After Approval |
Over 500 |
| Deployment Areas |
Western desert (Pakistan border) and high-altitude Ladakh (China border) |
| Key Feature |
Cold-weather tested and adapted for Ladakh |
| Next Step |
Proposal to be placed before Defence Procurement Board (DPB) |
| Indigenous Content |
High – manufactured at L&T’s Hazira facility under ‘Make in India’ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is a self-propelled howitzer?
A: It is a large artillery gun mounted on a tracked vehicle. It can move on its own, unlike towed guns that need to be pulled by a truck. This allows it to fire and quickly change position.
Q2: How far can the K9 Vajra-T fire?
A: The K9 Vajra-T can hit targets at a distance of more than 40 kilometres (about 24 miles).
Q3: Who makes the K9 Vajra-T in India?
A: It is made by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Hazira facility in Gujarat, under a technology transfer agreement with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace.
Q4: What is the total value of the proposed new deal?
A: The new proposal to buy over 300 additional guns is estimated to be worth approximately ₹23,000 crore .
Q5: Which body will approve the proposal?
A: The proposal will be first placed before the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) . After the DPB’s approval, it will go to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final clearance.