In major defence boost, Army seeks 300 K9 Vajra artillery guns at Rs 23,000 crore
The Indian Army is preparing for what could become its largest artillery modernisation programme in decades, with plans to seek approval for the procurement of
The Indian Army is preparing for what could become its largest artillery modernisation programme in decades, with plans to seek approval for the procurement of more than 300 additional K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers in a deal estimated to be valued at around Rs 23,000 crore. Top defence sources told India Today that the proposal is expected to be placed before the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) this week. Read Full Story If approved, the contract is likely to be awarded to Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which manufactures the K9 Vajra-T in India under a technology partnership with South Korean defence major Hanwha Aerospace. The proposed acquisition would significantly expand the Army’s artillery inventory, taking the total number of K9 Vajra guns ordered by India to more than 500.
Defence planners view the expansion as a critical step in strengthening long-range firepower across both the western front and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, amid a rapidly evolving security environment. The move comes as the Indian military continues to draw lessons from recent operational requirements, including the high-intensity precision strike capabilities demonstrated during Operation Sindoor. Military planners have increasingly emphasised the importance of responsive and mobile artillery systems capable of delivering accurate fire support across varied terrain and operational scenarios. WHY K9 VAJRA IS SPECIAL The K9 Vajra, a 155mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled artillery platform, is capable of engaging targets at ranges exceeding 40 kilometres. Its ability to quickly fire and relocate, commonly referred to as “shoot-and-scoot”, reduces vulnerability to counter-battery fire and has made it a key component of modern battlefield doctrine.
The platform also offers armoured protection and high mobility, enabling deployment in both desert and mountainous regions. The Army’s confidence in the system has been reinforced by its operational performance over the past several years. India signed its first contract for 100 K9 Vajra guns in 2017 at a cost of approximately Rs 4,500 crore. Deliveries were completed ahead of schedule in 2021, and the guns were primarily deployed in desert sectors along the western border with Pakistan. A second order for another 100 guns was cleared in December 2023 under a contract valued at around Rs 7,600 crore, reflecting the Army’s continued confidence in the platform. More recently, trials of a modified cold-weather variant were conducted in Ladakh, where the artillery system reportedly performed successfully under extreme high-altitude conditions.
The BriefWire