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In what could become the Indian Army’s largest artillery acquisition in decades, the government is set to consider a proposal to procure more than 300 additional K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers in a deal estimated at around Rs 23,000 crore.
According to Defence Ministry sources, the proposal is expected to be placed before the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) this week. Clearance at this stage would pave the way for one of the Army’s most significant modernisation programmes aimed at strengthening its long-range strike capability across both the western and northern fronts.
If approved, the contract is expected to be awarded to Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which manufactures the K9 Vajra-T in India under a technology transfer agreement with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace. The fresh order would take L&T’s cumulative production of the artillery system to more than 500 guns, making it the biggest single artillery production run undertaken by the private sector in India.
The move reflects the Army’s growing emphasis on mobile firepower as it prepares for the possibility of simultaneous contingencies involving Pakistan and China.
The K9 Vajra-T is a 155mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 40 kilometres. Unlike conventional towed artillery, the system combines mobility, protection and rapid deployment, allowing units to fire and relocate quickly before coming under enemy counter-battery fire.
The Army’s association with the K9 platform began in 2017, when it signed a contract worth approximately Rs 4,500 crore with L&T to induct 100 guns. Deliveries were completed ahead of schedule in 2021, with the systems deployed largely in desert formations along the western border.
A second order followed in December 2023, when the Ministry of Defence concluded a contract valued at around Rs 7,600 crore for another 100 K9 Vajra guns.
The proposed third tranche marks a sharp acceleration in the Army’s artillery modernisation plans and underlines the changing operational environment confronting Indian forces.
Military planners increasingly view tracked self-propelled artillery as indispensable for high-intensity operations. Their ability to move with armoured formations, offer better crew protection and execute “shoot-and-scoot” missions has assumed greater importance in an era of precision surveillance and long-range counter-battery systems.
While the K9 Vajra was initially inducted with the western theatre in mind, the Army has also explored its deployment in extreme-altitude conditions. A cold-weather-adapted version of the system underwent trials in Ladakh, where it reportedly demonstrated satisfactory performance.
The latest procurement is expected to bridge capability gaps across the Thar Desert and sectors along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, significantly enhancing the Army’s ability to deliver sustained, responsive fire support in diverse operational environments.
If the proposal receives the necessary approvals, it will not only represent a major boost to India’s artillery capabilities but also reinforce the country’s push towards indigenous defence manufacturing through licensed production and increasing private-sector participation in strategic programmes.
Team BharatShakti
