India is considering a major expansion of its self-propelled artillery force with plans to procure 300 more K-9 Vajra howitzers in a program valued at approximately 230 billion rupees ($2.42 billion). A formal proposal is expected to be submitted to the Defence Procurement Board in the coming days for further evaluation.
If approved, the order is anticipated to be awarded to Larsen & Toubro, which produces the K-9 Vajra domestically under a technology-transfer agreement with South Korean defense firm Hanwha Aerospace.
The Indian Army already operates 100 K-9 systems and added another 100 units to its inventory through a procurement approved in 2024. A fleet of 500 howitzers would provide a substantial boost to the Army’s long-range fire support capabilities across both the western and northern theaters.
Based on the South Korean K9 Thunder, the K-9 Vajra has been customized to meet Indian operational requirements. Designed for rapid maneuver and sustained fire support, the platform is powered by a 1,000-hp engine that enables a top speed of 67 km/h and a range of more than 360 kilometers.
The howitzer’s 155mm weapon system can engage targets at distances of up to 50 kilometers using high-explosive or precision-guided ammunition. It is capable of firing three rounds within 15 seconds and maintaining burst rates of up to eight rounds per minute. India chose the system in 2015 following successful trials in which it surpassed the performance of the Russian-made 2S19 Msta-S.
