Indian media quoted sources in the defence and security establishment as saying that the trials of three K9 Vajra

The K9 Vajra is a version of the Korean K9 Thunder howitzer, manufactured by Mumbai-based firm Larsen & Toubro in partnership with a South Korean firm. As per agreement, Samsung Techwin will transfer key technologies, and the vehicle will be manufactured under license in India using 50 percent of the domestic content such as FCS and communication system. Earlier in 2014, the Indian military evaluated the Korean K9 Thunder and Russia’s 2S19 Msta, and K9 was the winner.

Since 1989, Korea has been working on the construction of the K9 Thunder self-propelled howitzer as a supplement and replacement for the K55 155mm self-propelled howitzer, a variant of the American M109, to confront the world’s largest artillery batteries from North Korea. The requirements for the K9 were fast rate of fire, long range, high accuracy, short deployment and recovery times, and effective operation in the rugged mountainous terrain typical of the Korean peninsula. In 1998, the project was accepted and in 1999, K9 was mass-produced and equipped for the Korean army.

K-9 VAJRA Howitzer
K-9 VAJRA Howitzer

K9 is welded with 20 t of MIL-12560H armor steel developed by POSCO for K2 Black Panther project, which can withstand explosion pressure and fragments from 155 mm HE rounds, 14.5 mm armor piercing rounds, and anti-personnel mines all around. The vehicle can protect crews from CBRN warfare using air purification system.

The power pack consists a 1,000 hp MT881Ka-500 MTU engine, and is installed on state of the art hydropneumatic suspension chassis. The 47 tons vehicle has max speed of 67 km/h, and is capable of operating in various terrain conditions including desert, snow, jungle, and mountains.

For the Indian army, the Vajra is the choice because it has a great range, and because it is tracked, the movement in the mountains becomes easier. Given its range and mobility, the system can be deployed strategically. The Vajra has a range of over 50 km depending on the munition used.

The Army has already ordered for the M-777 lightweight howitzers, delivery of which is currently on. Both gun systems have their own unique ability. The M-777 can reach places where the Vajra can’t. Similarly, Vajra has its own unique capabilities. A combination of these two systems along with those already in service and the ones that will come in future will add to the lethality of Indian firepower.

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