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The Indian Army is moving forward with one of its most substantial artillery upgrades in recent history, seeking to acquire over 300 additional K9 Vajra-T 155mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled howitzers.
Estimated at a massive ₹23,000 crore, this ambitious procurement plan will significantly expand the military's arsenal.
If approved, this new mega-deal will take the total number of K9 Vajra-T units ordered by the Indian armed forces well past the 500 mark.
According to current reports, the proposal is slated for review by the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) this week.
A green light from the board would pave the way for a major enhancement of the Army's modern tracked artillery strength.
Planners in the defence establishment see this as a vital step in maintaining readiness along both the western borders and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, ensuring that troops have access to highly mobile and precise long-range firepower across multiple active theatres.
The K9 Vajra-T has already proven to be a cornerstone of the Army's ongoing artillery modernisation drive.
The initial agreement for 100 howitzers was inked in 2017 for roughly ₹4,500 crore. Manufacturer Larsen & Toubro (L&T) successfully delivered these units by 2021, finishing ahead of the stipulated timeline.
The impressive performance of these guns in various difficult terrains across India cemented the military's confidence in the weapon system.
Following the success of the first batch, the Ministry of Defence placed a follow-on order in December 2024 for an additional 100 units. Priced at ₹7,628.70 crore, this contract once again partnered with L&T to produce the systems in India.
The Vajra-T is a heavily customised variant of the K9 Thunder, originally developed by South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace, and is produced domestically under a critical technology transfer agreement that continually increases local content.
A major tactical advantage of the K9 Vajra-T is its impressive reach, capable of striking enemy positions more than 40 kilometres away.
Furthermore, it possesses advanced "shoot-and-scoot" capabilities. This means the armoured vehicle can fire multiple rounds and instantly change its location before the enemy can trace the origin of the attack and retaliate.
Such high mobility guarantees better crew survival against counter-battery fire and allows for rapid repositioning as battlefield dynamics evolve.
The K9 Vajra-T programme is also a major success story for the "Make in India" initiative, showcasing a strong push for self-reliance in the defence sector.
While the first 100 guns featured around 50% domestic components, the second batch is projected to hit nearly 60% indigenous content. This steady increase in local manufacturing continues to strengthen India's private defence industry capabilities.
Originally, the military stationed the K9 Vajra-T primarily along the desert regions of the India-Pakistan border to maintain a strong conventional deterrent.
However, the strategic calculus shifted after the May 2020 border clashes with China in Eastern Ladakh. The Army quickly adapted the platform—including testing cold-weather modifications—for extreme high-altitude operations.
The successful redeployment and excellent performance of these heavy guns in the harsh Himalayan mountains have thoroughly proven their immense tactical flexibility.
