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.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

LT charged Rs 45 crores per K-9 Vajra while direct import would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit - that's almost 80% profit for screw driver assembly of CKD kits & painting their logo under ATMANIRBHAR scheme. Even for light tank they will charge a hefty 80-100% profit - so it's better to import Hanwa's light tank K21-105 directly from SK and paint 'DRDO' & 'Zorawar' or 'Forever' or 'Whatever' on it.

Isn't that what HAL has been doing for the past 70 years? Isn't that what most of our PSU have been doing? So why expect L&T to suddenly start innovating and produce original designs, when our PSU didn't for past 7 decades? L&T are still new to game and require more time to mature and at least L&T delivers the same on schedule.

 

[Akshat]

That is just throwing numbers.
Doesn't justify the fact that IA has been rather weak at procurement.
I am not specialist, but even a person selling vegetables on street will tell you, it is always cheaper to buy vegetables from a wholesaler than from a retailer. But wholesaler will sell you when you buy in bug numbers.

10 Apache, 100 K-9s, 145 M777s. These piece meal purchases are not acquisition you's expect from a nation with $3.9 Trillion USD GDP staring at real risk of a two-front war from hardened adversaries.

Can a vegetable vendor who sells chili potatoes buy just the potatoes and skip on the masalas because they get a better deal by buying in bulk? Army is not a vegetable vendor but a food vendor who has to buy everything required, even if that means buying in small batches within the prescribed budget.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Army is not a vegetable vendor but a food vendor who has to buy everything required, even if that means buying in small batches within the prescribed budget.

This is even worse. Because then, they are food vendor which is behaving like a restaurant for all purposes.

That also reminds me of Pakistan Army, another entity which in into many things including defence.

Too bad, that did not turn out very gratifying for them. I hope iur IA learns a lesson or two from them. Focus on defence and sort out its logistics.

IA has no business becoming guinea pig for foreign vendors by buying in low numbers. They need to prioritise and acquire in bulk.

 

[Akshat]

This is even worse. Because then, they are food vendor which is behaving like a restaurant for all purposes.

That also reminds me of Pakistan Army, another entity which in into many things including defence.

Too bad, that did not turn out very gratifying for them. I hope iur IA learns a lesson or two from them. Focus on defence and sort out its logistics.

IA has no business becoming guinea pig for foreign vendors by buying in low numbers. They need to prioritise and acquire in bulk.

which is behaving like a restaurant for all purposes.’- Exactly. Army is like a restaurant. It can’t just buy the potatoes and sit on them. It needs to make chili potatoes and sell them.

Let’s not waste each other’s time and let’s be objective.

Army is spending all of its budget (at least for last five years). So there is no extra money lying around. And we both know that whether we buy 101 k9 or 1000, the total cost will always be more than 100 k9, even if unit cost goes down.

This means that if the army had to buy any extra k9 (or any other product you mentioned), they would have had to ditch some other product. Can you name even one product that we could have done without? Name one and then blame IA. Let’s see if you can come up with one.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Can you name even one product that we could have done without? Name one and then blame IA. Let’s see if you can come up with one.

Mate, as of now I am at a loss as to where the IA is expending all its annual budget if over $35 billion USD on.

That was also my very first question to you, if you remember.

You mentioned bullet proof jacket followed with Apache heli and T-90 and M777.

IIRC , Apache A64, M777 and T-90 were all old acquisition and were almost payed for by now.

A quick review of IDSA data, and barely 21000 crores were soent in new acquisition by IA.

 

[Akshat]

Mate, as of now I am at a loss as to where the IA is expending all its annual budget if over $35 billion USD on.

That was also my very first question to you, if you remember.

You mentioned bullet proof jacket followed with Apache heli and T-90 and M777.

IIRC , Apache A64, M777 and T-90 were all old acquisition and were almost payed for by now.

A quick review of IDSA data, and barely 21000 crores were soent in new acquisition by IA.

You are not answering the question buddy. I am asking one product which IA could have done without.

As for where the budget is going, IA was paying for K9 till 2021. It is buying armored vehicles. Apaches are being paid for now. In fact, first Apache was received only this year, so a bulk of the payment is still left. Only advance payments are done before delivery which is usually a token amount. Drones are there. Dhanush. Sharang upgradation. Rifles. Bullet proof jackets. T90 is still being paid for as a new deal was signed in 2019 for which deliveries are to start this year if I am not wrong. It is still buying Akash missiles. Brahmos missiles. LUH. Rudra choppers. LCH. The list is so long.

So tell me one item out of this entire list which IA could have chopped out. Name one.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

You are not answering the question buddy. I am asking one product which IA could have done without.

As for where the budget is going, IA was paying for K9 till 2021. It is buying armored vehicles. Apaches are being paid for now. In fact, first Apache was received only this year, so a bulk of the payment is still left. Only advance payments are done before delivery which is usually a token amount. Drones are there. Dhanush. Sharang upgradation. Rifles. Bullet proof jackets. T90 is still being paid for as a new deal was signed in 2019 for which deliveries are to start this year if I am not wrong. It is still buying Akash missiles. Brahmos missiles. LUH. Rudra choppers. LCH. The list is so long.

So tell me one item out of this entire list which IA could have chopped out. Name one.

I am no expert but K9 and Apache make no sense in such small quantity. They wont tilt a battle's outcome and should be the first to get a cut.

BTW how many Rudra and LCH are they talking about purchinf this year?

 

[alpha numeric]

LT charged Rs 45 crores per K-9 Vajra while direct import would've cost only Rs 25 crores per unit - that's almost 80% profit for screw driver assembly of CKD kits & painting their logo under ATMANIRBHAR scheme. Even for light tank they will charge a hefty 80-100% profit - so it's better to import Hanwa's light tank K21-105 directly from SK and paint 'DRDO' & 'Zorawar' or 'Forever' or 'Whatever' on it.

Private players who had been barred from defense manufacturing has to start somewhere and it makes sense for them to start with basic assembly if it is infact what they did, This is a THE tried and tested strategy that was employed by every entity engaged in manufacturing, To not recognise that makes you unqualified to criticize this particular development at L&T. Now if they fail to kick start their own r&d processes and move up the value chain, THEN you can criticize them, until then their priority is to learn to walk so that they can run marathons in the future. Short sighted m0r0ns like you are an impediment to long term development initiatives.

 

[Akshat]

I am no expert but K9 and Apache make no sense in such small quantity. They wont tilt a battle's outcome and should be the first to get a cut.

BTW how many Rudra and LCH are they talking about purchinf this year?

Not everything gets bought every single year buddy. I am talking about last 5 years as a total.

As for K9, army had an entire field modernization plan and it called for 100 units only. So are you saying you are more knowledgeable than an entire commission full of experts who have won almost every single war in their history with just one loss?

Similarly, army needs Apaches. They are already planning to buy more but as said before, can’t buy all at once as they need many other things as well. These are just like AEEACS which will direct other choppers in war.