Latest Topics in News
K9 Vajra: Unstoppable Force of Protection

K9 Vajra
The Defence Ministry has begun the purchase process for 100 new K9 Vajra tracked self-propelled howitzers produced in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) utilising technology supplied by South Korean defence company Hanwha Defense.
The K9 VAJRA-T is a type of artillery gun that is mounted on a tracked vehicle and is used by the Indian Army. It is equipped with a 155mm/52 Cal. howitzer, which is a type of artillery gun that can fire shells at high angles of elevation to reach targets at a distance.
The K9 VAJRA-T is designed to meet the requirements of 21st-century warfare and is capable of providing deep fire support with its long-range, overcoming numerical inferiority with its high rate of fire and accuracy, and providing effective and reliable fire support in all kinds of circumstances with its high mobility and protection.
The K9 VAJRA-T is a variant of the K9 Thunder, which is a well-known self-propelled artillery gun used by many military forces around the world. The K9 VAJRA-T has proven its capabilities through demonstrations and tests in various environments, and it is able to handle both Indian and NATO standard ammunition.
Introduction
K9-Vajra is an advanced mobile artillery system designed and developed by the Indian Military to provide superior firepower for their forces. It is a self-propelled howitzer produced by the joint venture between India’s Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and South Korean firm Hanwa Techwin. This weapon system has been designed to meet the needs of a modern battlefield, offering superior range and accuracy over its predecessors.
K9 Vajra: A Brief History
The K9 VAJRA (which stands for “Vajra-T”) is a self-propelled artillery gun developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the Indian Army. It is a variant of the VAJRA-305 mm self-propelled gun and is equipped with a K9 Thunder gun. The K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled artillery gun developed by Hanwha Defense.
The K9 VAJRA was developed as part of the Indian Army’s plan to modernise its artillery capabilities. It is intended to provide long-range artillery support and can be deployed in a variety of terrain, including mountainous and desert regions. The K9 VAJRA is equipped with a 155mm howitzer and has a range of approximately 40 km. It is capable of firing a variety of artillery rounds, including high explosive, smoke, and illumination shells.
The K9 VAJRA was developed in partnership with the South Korean company Hanwha Defense, and it is based on the K9 Thunder chassis. The first K9 VAJRA systems were delivered to the Indian Army in 2018, and the program has been successful, with additional systems being procured by the Indian Army.

K9 Vajra: Specifications
The K9 VAJRA is a self-propelled artillery gun equipped with a 155mm howitzer. It is mounted on a tracked vehicle and has a range of approximately 40 km. The K9 VAJRA is powered by a diesel engine and has a maximum road speed of approximately 65 km/h. It is equipped with a fully automatic loading system and can fire a variety of artillery rounds, including high explosive, smoke, and illumination shells.
The K9 VAJRA is also equipped with advanced fire control and navigation systems, which allow it to accurately deliver fire support to target areas. It is designed to be deployed in a variety of terrain, including mountainous and desert regions, and has been built to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
K9 Vajra: Operational Capabilities
- Long-range artillery support: The K9 VAJRA has a range of approximately 40 km, which allows it to engage targets at a distance.
- Variety of artillery rounds: The K9 VAJRA is capable of firing a variety of artillery rounds, including high explosive, smoke, and illumination shells, which gives it the ability to perform a range of missions.
- Advanced fire control and navigation systems: The K9 VAJRA is equipped with advanced fire control and navigation systems, which allow it to accurately deliver fire support to target areas.
- Good mobility: The K9 VAJRA is mounted on a tracked vehicle, which gives it good mobility over rough terrain and allows it to be deployed in a variety of environments, including mountainous and desert regions.
- Part of a larger artillery system: The K9 VAJRA is intended to be used as part of a larger artillery system, working in conjunction with other artillery assets to provide a strong and flexible fire support capability to the Indian Army.
What is the K9 Thunder platform?
The K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled artillery gun developed by Hanwha Defense. It is mounted on a tracked vehicle and is equipped with a 155mm howitzer, which is a type of artillery gun that is designed to fire shells at high angles of elevation in order to reach targets that are located at a distance.
The K9 Thunder has a range of approximately 40 km and is capable of firing a variety of artillery rounds, including high explosive, smoke, and illumination shells. It is intended to be used for long-range artillery support and can be deployed in a variety of terrain, including mountainous and desert regions. The K9 Thunder has been widely exported and is used by several countries around the world.
The K9 gun has been developed under the ‘Buy Global’ programme.
The “Buy Global” program is a procurement process used by the Indian government to purchase military equipment from foreign vendors. It is one of several categories in the Defense Procurement Procedure (DPP), which outlines the rules and procedures for procuring defence equipment in India. Under the “Buy Global” program, the Indian government can directly purchase military equipment from foreign vendors without the need for a tender process.
This program is typically used when the government determines that it is in the national interest to directly purchase a specific item of military equipment from a foreign vendor or when the equipment is not available from domestic sources. The “Buy Global” program is intended to help the Indian government quickly acquire the equipment it needs to modernise its Military and maintain its operational capabilities.
India’s Artillery power
Here are a few other famous artillery guns used by the Indian Military:
- Bofors 40mm L/70: This is a famous Swedish artillery gun that was acquired by the Indian Army in the 1980s. It is a lightweight, high-velocity gun that is effective against a wide range of targets, including enemy fortifications, vehicles, and aircraft.
- Dhanush: This is an indigenous Indian artillery gun developed by the Ordnance Factory Board. It is a 155mm/45 calibre gun that is based on the Bofors design and has a range of approximately 39 km.
- Pinaka: This is a multiple rocket launcher system developed by the DRDO for the Indian Army. It is capable of firing a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds and has a range of approximately 40 km.
- Prahaar: This is a short-range solid-fueled surface-to-surface missile developed by the DRDO for the Indian Army. It has a range of approximately 150 km and is intended to be used as an alternative to artillery in certain situations.
In conclusion, the K9-Vajra is a critical asset to India’s military operations and serves as an unstoppable force of protection. It is a fully armed, tracked vehicle that operates in remote areas with heavy artillery fire and has the capability to operate both day and night. With its advanced thermal imaging capabilities, it is capable of detecting armed personnel from long distances, making it a formidable deterrent against potential threats. In addition, its mobility and speed make it ideal for rapid deployment in hostile environments.