BIG Firepower Boost For Indian Army As Over 300 K9 Vajra-T Guns Near Approval | EXCLUSIVE

New Delhi: The Indian Army's firepower is set for a major boost, with the government poised to induct over 300 K9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked artillery guns. The process has been initiated with an expected cost around Rs 23,000, making it one of the biggest procurements for the Indian Army, sources told Times Now.The proposal will now be placed before the Defence Procurement Board for approval this week, as per sources.The initial 100 units were ordered in 2017 at the cost of Rs 4500 cr, and delivery was completed in 2021, before the schedule. As per the sources, these “guns performed well across India’s diverse operational environments”.In December 2024 the Ministry of Defence signed the repeat order for 100 more guns with Larsen & Toubro

Limited for the procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns, designed by South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace, for the Indian Army at a total cost of Rs 7,628.70 crore.K9 Thunder Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH), have a range of over 40 km. The indigenous content in the first lot reached 50 per cent and it is to touch 60 per cent in the next lot of 100 guns being procured.The initial deployment of the guns was at the India-Pakistan border. But the K9 guns, along with other guns, were moved to Eastern Ladakh after the Chinese troops clashed with the Indian Army soldiers in May 2020.Indian Army’s Artillery Undergoing Major Modernisation:The Indian Army’s fighting Arm Regiment of Artillery comprises 18 guns. This Artillery Regiment is undergoing a major modernisation process with a focus on acquiring indigenously produced weapon systems and ammunition. Artillery is one of the oldest arm which was raised on 28th September 1827.The Arm of Artillery consists of guns, rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It launches munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms.Under the Indian Army’s 'mediumisation' programme of guns, by the year 2042, 155mm guns will be the standard calibre of all artillery guns. For it the Army has prepared plans for the next 25 years with a plan for 2027, for 2047, and even for 2042.Also Read: Historic Milestone: Defence Ministry Signs Rs 6,900 Crore ATAGS Deal, Boosting India's Indigenous Defence IndustryThe Regiment of Artillery is said to be the second largest arm of the Indian Army, after the infantry. It currently has a mix of 105mm, 122mm and 155mm guns. Even now, 105mm Indian Field Guns (IFG) and Indian Light Guns (ILG), of 70s & 80s vintage, are in majority.Significant battle role for Artillery:Artillery has a significant role, with the primary ones including suppressing and countering the enemy fire, and hitting the enemy concentration and high value targets and supporting their own armoured and infantry movement.It was Joseph Stalin who had stated that 'Artillery is the god of war'

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The procurement of K9 VAJRA-T will catalyse the artillery modernisation and enhance overall operational readiness of the Indian Army. This versatile artillery gun, with its cross-country mobility, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the firepower of the Indian Army, enabling deeper strikes with precision, and its lethal firepower will bolster the capability of artillery in all terrains. The gun being equipped with cutting-edge technology is capable of delivering long-range lethal fires with high accuracy and higher rate of fire and will be able to operate in sub-zero temperatures in high-altitude areas to its full potential.