Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Transforming India’s Defense with the K9 VAJRA-T Artillery

• The Indian Army’s K9 VAJRA-T is a vital weapon due to its mobility, survivability, and fire support capabilities.
• The Indian Army will have far more artillery firepower thanks to K9 VAJRA-T weapons, which will undoubtedly speed up its modernization process and improve operational preparedness.
• The K9 VAJRA-T includes 50% indigenous components and 14 major Indian-manufactured systems, such as an environment control and NBC protection system, communication systems, and a fire control system (FCS) compatible with Nub ammunition.
• In combat situations, the K9 VAJRA-T is crucial in border defence, counteroffensive operations, and support for mechanized forces against armoured threats and entrenched positions.

MoD Signs Rs 7,629 Crore Contract with L&T for Indian Army K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns as Part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. As part of its efforts to become self-reliant in defense production under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth Rs 7,628.70 crore with Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) to procure 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army. On December 20, 2024, the deal was signed in South Block in New Delhi, in front of Defense Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh.

The Indian Army will have far more artillery firepower thanks to K9 VAJRA-T weapons, which will undoubtedly speed up its modernization process and improve operational preparedness. These are high-tech, precision, long-range weapons with a fast rate of firing. They can function in any kind of terrain, including high-altitude locations where the guns can reach their maximum potential at zero degrees Celsius.

Detailed Analysis of K9 VAJRA-T Artillery Guns

The most sophisticated 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzer, the K9 VAJRA-T, was created by South Korea’s Hanwha Defense and customized for Indian circumstances as part of Larsen & Toubro’s ‘Make-in-India’ campaign. With metal tracks for added durability, the vehicle’s combat weight is 47 tons for the K9 and 48.5 tons for the K9A2. On the battlefield, a vessel with a body length of 12 meters, (39 feet 4 inches) and a hull length of 7.44 meters, 24 feet 5 inches, a breadth of 3.4 meters by 11 feet 2 inches, and a weight of around 2.73 meters by 8 feet 11 inches is a compactly strong and intimidating sight. In the K9 and K9A1 versions, the K9 VAJRA-T is manned by 5 personnel (Commander, Driver, Gunner, and two Loaders); in the K9A2 version, the crew consists of 3 personnel (Commander, Driver, and Gunner).

Using the K315 LAP/HE shell, this artillery system can fire a variety of rounds with a maximum firing range of up to 60 km. South Korean versions are constructed using POSCO MIL-12560H steel armour, whereas foreign-licensed versions are produced with Bisalloy steel. This provides a robust defence against any kind of assault. The Hyundai WIA CN98 155 mm 52-caliber gun, which can fire up to 48 rounds, is the primary weapon in use. The SNT Dynamics K6 12.7×99 mm NATO heavy machine gun is the secondary weapon.

The STX Engine/MTU Friedrichshafen MT881Ka-500 8-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine that powers the K9 VAJRA-T produces 735 kW (1,000 hp), or 21.3 hp/ton (15.88 kW/ton). The SNT Dynamics/Allison Transmission X1100-5A3, which has an overdrive for 4 forward gears and 2 reverse gears, is its transmission mechanism. Mottrol/Horstman’s Hydropneumatic Suspension Unit (HSU) guarantees superior mobility on both smooth and uneven surfaces. With a ground clearance of 410 mm (16 inches), the K9 VAJRA-T can easily navigate obstacles. Additionally, it has a maximum speed of 67 km/h (42 mph) and an operational range of 360 km (220 miles) The 850 litres (225 U.S. gallons) fuel capacity of the K9 VAJRA-T allows it to operate for lengthy periods without requiring frequent refilling. Under a bilateral agreement that promoted defence technology transfer and co-development, India and South Korea developed the K9 VAJRA-T. As a result of this collaboration, the K9 Thunder platform was localized to satisfy the Indian Army’s operational requirements. To strengthen their military and commercial relations, 

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2012. Key technologies, like as the fire control and communication systems, were transferred by Samsung Techwin in partnership with Larsen & Toubro so that the K9 Thunder could be manufactured in India with 50% domestic content.

After extensive testing against the Russian 2S19 Msta-S in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, the K9 VAJRA-T was declared the winner. Because of its autonomous control system, which adjusted its output based on environmental factors like high temperatures and low air density, the K9’s engine performed better. Following two years of testing, the Indian Ministry of Defense selected the K9 for a $310 million deal to supply 100 units, with Larsen & Toubro manufacturing the remaining 90 units under license in India and Hanwha Techwin delivering the first 10.

The K9 VAJRA-T includes 50% indigenous components and 14 major Indian-manufactured systems, such as an environment control and NBC protection system, communication systems, and a fire control system (FCS) compatible with Nub ammunition. A GPS (Gunner’s Primary Sight) for direct firing, a South African APU that has been proven to be effective in desert conditions, and a firing rate of three rounds in 30 seconds are among the modifications made for desert and high-temperature operations. The K9 VAJRA-T is a formidable artillery platform for contemporary warfare because of its sophisticated design, potent armament, and mobility.

Strategic Impact and Role of the K9 VAJRA-T in Modern Warfare

The Indian Army’s K9 VAJRA-T is a vital weapon due to its mobility, survivability, and fire support capabilities. It can provide accurate long-range artillery fires against enemy positions to disrupt them thanks to its maximum firing range of 60 km and firing rate of three rounds in 30 seconds. With an operational range of 360 km and a top speed of 67 km/h, its high mobility enables quick deployment over a variety of terrains, making it extremely effective in both offensive and defensive operations.

In combat situations, the K9 VAJRA-T is crucial in border defence, counteroffensive operations, and support for mechanized forces against armoured threats and entrenched positions. Its extreme condition adaptability and indigenous components guarantee dependability in a variety of operating conditions, including mountainous or desert areas. The K9 can improve India’s strategic deterrence and battlefield effectiveness by providing area denial and fire support during asymmetrical warfare or peacekeeping missions. The firepower, mobility, and precision of this artillery platform make the K9 VAJRA-T an essential part of India’s defensive strategy and an indispensable weapon in contemporary combat.

References:

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086514
• https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/mod-signs-rs-7-629-cr-deal-with-lt-for-additional-k9-vajra-artillery-guns-124122001200_1.html
• https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-k9-vajra-artillery-guns-cabinet-committee-ladakh-line-of-actual-control-china-border-2649636-2024-12-14
• https://www.spslandforces.com/story/?id=802&h=K9-Vajra-shows-the-way-for-Atmanirbharta
• https://annualreview.larsentoubro.com/defence.html
• https://delhidefencereview.com/2020/02/08/the-indian-armys-k-9-vajra-t-self-propelled-howitzer-all-you-need-to-know
• https://www.larsentoubro.com/media/43151/2020-01-11-lt-made-91st-k9-vajra-t-gun-flagged-off-by-gujarat-cm-at-armoured-systems-complex.pdf

Piyush Anand

Piyush Anand is a Biotechnology Engineering student at Chandigarh University. His primary interest lies in International Affairs, Defence and Strategy. Views expressed at the author’s own.