The Indian Army is preparing to enhance its firepower following a decision by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which recently approved a proposal to procure an additional 100 K-9 self-propelled howitzers from Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
This new order for the 155-mm, 52-caliber howitzers has faced delays, likely due to the approaching 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The procurement process began over a year ago, but it was only on Thursday that the CCS finalized its approval, according to informed sources.
While the exact financial details of the contract remain undisclosed, sources indicate that the total cost for the 100 units will exceed ₹4500 crore, accounting for inflation and other modifications related to the guns. Reports from November 18 suggested that the CCS was on the verge of approving this deal to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Army.
The K-9 Vajra howitzers are currently operational in high-altitude regions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and in the desert regions adjacent to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. These artillery systems are versatile, proving effective in both extreme heat and cold conditions. The K-9 Vajras are produced at L&T’s Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, Gujarat, utilizing a technology transfer agreement from South Korean defense manufacturer Hanwha Defense. L&T has significantly indigenized many components of the artillery piece, contributing to India’s self-reliance (aatmanirbharta) in the defense sector.
A K-9 Vajra howitzer weighs approximately 50 tonnes and boasts a firing range of over 50 kilometers.
In addition, L&T’s Zorawar light tank has recently reached a testing milestone, successfully firing multiple rounds at various ranges at an altitude exceeding 4,200 meters, as reported by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Zorawar’s performance in high-altitude conditions was noted to be consistently accurate.
This follows successful Phase I trials conducted in the desert environment in September 2024. Designed and developed by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, a laboratory of the DRDO in Chennai, the Zorawar tank was conceived as a response to the challenges faced during the Galwan face-off with China in May 2020. During that incident, the heavier conventional tanks of the Indian Army struggled in high-altitude conditions, while Chinese tanks demonstrated greater agility. This spurred the need for a lighter, more mobile tank.
The Zorawar is engineered as a 25-ton class armored fighting vehicle tailored for high-altitude operations, representing a swift development effort achieved within a three-year timeline.
