L&T Defense Sets Sights on Another 100 Winterized K-9 Vajra Howitzers for India's Ladakh Region

India's defense industry is buzzing with anticipation as Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defense eyes a significant order for an additional 100 K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, specially equipped for the harsh winter conditions of Ladakh. This comes hot on the heels of the successful delivery of 100 standard K-9 Vajras, demonstrating the Indian Army's confidence in this powerful artillery platform.

These new howitzers won't just be clones of their predecessors. They'll be upgraded with state-of-the-art winterization kits, ensuring they can operate flawlessly in the extreme cold and high altitudes of Ladakh, a region of strategic importance bordering China. This move not only bolsters India's defense capabilities in a sensitive area but also underscores the country's commitment to indigenous defense production.

For L&T Defense, securing this order would be a major coup. It would solidify their position as a leading player in India's defense sector and highlight their expertise in customizing advanced weaponry to meet the specific needs of the Indian armed forces. The company has already proven its mettle by incorporating over 18,000 Indian-made components into the existing K-9 Vajras, aligning with the government's "Make in India" initiative.

The potential deal also signifies a deeper strategic shift in India's defense posture. By investing in winterized artillery, the country is sending a clear message: it's prepared to defend its borders in any weather, any terrain. This move is likely to have significant geopolitical implications, especially given the ongoing tensions in the Ladakh region.

While the final decision on the order is yet to be made, all eyes are on L&T Defense as they gear up for what could be a landmark deal. If successful, it would not only be a win for the company but also a testament to India's growing self-reliance in defense technology. The K-9 Vajra, once a South Korean import, is rapidly becoming a symbol of India's indigenous defense capabilities, thanks to the efforts of companies like L&T Defense.

 

[GMR]

L&T will develop Myopia if they keep eying any longer for additional order from IA

 

[abhinav srivastava]

18,000 components sounds like a good number but how many components are there overall?

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

This is one of the best howitzers suitable for high altitude operations as it was specifically designed for South Korean. India and South Korea has almost the same high altitude requirement. IA should consider ordering more quantities of this.

 

[Tls Mani]

Babu dom will scuttle any indigenous development & prefer overseas equipment
For obvious reasons

 

[Pink Panther]

L&T will develop Myopia if they keep eying any longer for additional order from IA

L&T still couldn’t make a howitzer under it’s own brand from the scratch, even after making 100 Korean ones with 18,000 locally sourced parts, still wanted to make 100 more Korean ones.

 

[Sparkle Studio]

I hope IA orders K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle along with K9 Vajra so that we can have automatic resupply of ammo in the battlefield. Maybe L & T can indigenize this technology also.

 

[SK]

I hope that IA orders for additional 100 to 200 K-9 Vajra SPGs to boost it's capability & Indian defence Industry.

 

[GMR]

L&T still couldn’t make a howitzer under it’s own brand from the scratch, even after making 100 Korean ones with 18,000 locally sourced parts, still wanted to make 100 more Korean ones.

How will that matter?? Even if L&T develops from scratch, IA will trial that for 2-3 decades and then will choose K9 as it has a scent of foreign maal.

 

[Andy S]

L&T has to wait until next Chinese incursion. Then only they will get order.
IA & defence ministry is currently sleeping.

 

[Pink Panther]

How will that matter?? Even if L&T develops from scratch, IA will trial that for 2-3 decades and then will choose K9 as it has a scent of foreign maal.

Right, it is hopeless, what happens if the military looses all these 36 or 100 imported items in a protracted war, they will transfer the ownership of part of India to the enemies as they ran out of all the imported items and defend anymore.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

The upgraded K-9 koreon Howitzer must now be manufactured . Galvan happened in 2020 and 4 years later still no orders have been placed . Atleast 500 -800 guns are required for both the western and Chinese borders on east .The army must now become equipment heavy as it cannot fight a two front war with 30 Apaches ,20 Chinooks , 11 C-17 , 100 k-9 , 145 M-777 .18 C130 , 6AWACS, 6 refuellers . The nos need to be augmented 5to 10 times for each equipment .The artillery , armour is hopelessly outdated with mechanised regiments still operating BMPS of 1980 .The capital budget needs to be increased doubled and tripled to fast track the modernization , equipment , rearmament plan 2012-2027 .Despite repeated attacks by terrorists in kashmir , the RR battallions are still without night vision scopes , bullet proof helmets and jackets and old AK-47 rifles . The 540 infantry battallions need to be modernised requipped fast with combat gear , shoes , gen 6 jackets , helmets , nvg scopes and new rifles and carbines . Exo skelotons packs need early induction for mountain troops .

 

[Akshat]

How will that matter?? Even if L&T develops from scratch, IA will trial that for 2-3 decades and then will choose K9 as it has a scent of foreign maal.

If it meets the requirements, then IA completed trials really really fast for indigenous products. Look at drones and armored vehicles.

 

[Hita Techi]

Self propelled artillery park is too small for the size of Indian army, look at the losses sustained by artillery by both Ukraine and Russia should give an example of the scale of peer conflict in modern times

 

[Akshat]

Babu dom will scuttle any indigenous development & prefer overseas equipment
For obvious reasons

We don’t need babus for that. DRDO is there to do that all on its own.

 

[Akshat]

L&T has to wait until next Chinese incursion. Then only they will get order.
IA & defence ministry is currently sleeping.

No one is sleeping. IA had a requirement of 100 and they have been inducted.

 

[venkat]

About 300 K9, 500 Zorawar, 1000 Arjun and 1800 Future MBT needed for IA in addition to 4000+ 155 mm artillery guns. Only if i were the defMin, will it happen

 

[Sandeep]

India should definitely order more as we need them but the indigenous content and critical technology transfer has to be higher this time. By now India should easily be able to reverse engineer or replicate a lot of the critical parts and technology in the gun which needs to be exploited.

India needs to bypass patent protection agreement with South Korea which limits the number of guns we can make and the type and amount of technology they give. India should easily be able to move forward and fill in the parts and technology with indigenous weapons and content.

 

[beencensured]

How will that matter?? Even if L&T develops from scratch, IA will trial that for 2-3 decades and then will choose K9 as it has a scent of foreign maal.

Like they did with Bhim spg.