India diversifies defence arsenal with Korean howitzer deal
India, which for years primarily purchased weapons from Russia, is increasingly acquiring armaments from other countries. This time, it reached an agreement with the South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Aerospace. Under the agreement, it will strengthen its army with a hundred K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers.
The K9 Vajra-T is a variant specially prepared for India of the well-known K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer. The agreement between the Indian authorities and Hanwha Aerospace is valued at $253 million CAD. Production will involve Larsen & Toubro, meeting the requirements for the participation of the Indian defence industry in the entire project.
More K9 Vajra-T for the Indian Army
Industry media note that this is a continuation of cooperation with the South Korean conglomerate. The first agreement regarding the K9 Vajra-T was made back in 2017, and it also covered 100 units of these gun-howitzers. According to Hanwha Aerospace representatives, the new deal emphasizes the deepening defence relations between Seoul and New Delhi. South Korea and India are considered among the world's major powers, just like neighbouring China, which is perceived as a threat.
Tracked self-propelled howitzers are essential equipment for the Indian army. Thanks to them and the indigenous towed ATAGS systems of 155 mm calibre, they can systematically reduce the significance of the old howitzers still in their ranks, including the Soviet-era M-46s of 130 mm calibre.
Local variant of the K9 Thunder
The K9 Thunder, as well as the K9 Vajra-T, is a gun-howitzer whose main armament is a 155 mm calibre cannon with a barrel length of 52 calibres. With standard ammunition, it can strike targets at a distance of about 40 kilometres. The onboard 12.7 mm calibre machine gun eliminates smaller targets at close range.
An engine with 1,000 horsepower enables this equipment, weighing over 45,000 kilograms, to reach speeds of about 65 km/h. The range on a full fuel tank is estimated to be around 500 kilometres. The K9 Vajra-T variant differs from the original primarily in its ability to work more efficiently in harsh conditions—mountainous and desert areas—and at lower temperatures.
"The procurement of K9 VAJRA-T will catalyze the artillery modernization and enhance the overall operational readiness of the Indian Army. This versatile artillery gun, with its cross-country mobility, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the firepower of the Indian Army, enabling deeper strike with precision," wrote the Indian Ministry of Defence in a statement.
