TSAMTO, August 12. As it became known to the Indian resource The Print, the command of the Indian Land Forces is considering the possibility of purchasing up to 40 tracked self-propelled howitzers K-9 VAJRA-T for use in mountainous areas in the border areas with China.
Sources of the publication in the field of defense reported that the tests of three K-9 VAJRA-T, which were sent to Ladakh earlier this year, were successful. Currently, plans are being finalized to order at least two more regiments of howitzers of 155-mm/52 caliber, which will be placed in the mountains. The cost of delivery of additional howitzers is also in the process of approval.
As reported by TSAMTO, in 2015, the Ministry of Defense of India, based on the results of a tender, selected the Indian Larsen & Toubro, which together with the South Korean Hanwha Techwin offered an adapted version of the SG K-9 "Thunder", a supplier of new 155-mm self-propelled howitzers for the country's SV.
In May 2017, Larsen & Toubro signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense of India for the supply of 100 units of 155-mm/52 self-propelled howitzers K9 VAJRA-T (five regiments) worth 43.66 billion ind. Rs. (about $ 700 million), as well as an accompanying support package, including spare parts, documentation and training. The contract also included the transfer of technologies to ensure self-maintenance of the installations during their service life.
The first 10 installations were produced in the Republic of Korea and transferred to the Indian Army on November 9, 2018. The remaining 90 howitzers are assembled by the joint venture L&T and Hanwha Techwin at the enterprise in Hazira (Gujarat). Their delivery was completed in February 2021.
According to The Print resource, L&T and DRDO are also working on a "VAJRA light tank". The idea is to replace the heavy 155-mm gun with a 105-mm or 120-mm gun. The chassis or body will remain the same.
