Key facts
- The Indian Army intends to order 300 additional K9 Vajra self-propelled guns.
- This order would represent the largest acquisition of the K9 Vajra platform.
- The Army currently operates 100 K9 Vajra systems and has an additional 100 on order.
- The K9 Vajra is a 155 mm/52-calibre artillery gun with a range exceeding 40 km.
- The system features shoot-and-scoot capability, MRSI, and NBC protection.
- The K9 Vajra has been adapted for high-altitude deployment and is partially manufactured in India.
The Indian Army is reportedly planning its largest-ever acquisition of K9 Vajra self-propelled guns, with an order for an additional 300 units for the Regiment of Artillery. This move would significantly expand the Army's fleet of the tracked gun system.
The Army currently operates 100 K9 Vajra systems and has already ordered another 100. If the proposed acquisition of 300 guns is approved, the total fleet would rise to 500 units, enabling the force to equip approximately 25 artillery regiments. An artillery regiment typically comprises 18 guns, with two additional systems held as war-wastage reserves.
The K9 Vajra is a 155 mm/52-calibre artillery gun system capable of long-range precision strikes, with a range of over 40 km with standard ammunition and up to around 54 km with extended-range projectiles. It features a shoot-and-scoot capability, allowing it to fire and reposition rapidly, and can achieve a three-round burst in about 15 seconds. The system also supports Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) and is fitted with an advanced fire-control system and Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) protection for the crew.
Originally inducted for operations in plains and desert terrain, the K9 Vajra's role expanded following its deployment in the high-altitude conditions of eastern Ladakh after the Galwan clashes. Modifications have been made to ensure its effectiveness in extreme cold weather. The gun's tracked platform is designed for diverse terrains, including deserts, plains, and mountainous regions, with a maximum speed of approximately 67 kmph and an operational range of about 480 km.
The K9 Vajra was designed by South Korea's Hanwha Defense and is assembled in India at Larsen & Toubro's Hazira facility. The system incorporates 14 major components manufactured in India, including the fire-control system, communication equipment, and NBC protection system, with nearly half of its components by value sourced domestically, supporting indigenous defence manufacturing.