Amid disengagement with China, Indian Army deploys indigenous K-9 Vajra Tank in Ladakh

Even as disengagement process between India and China is underway, Indian Army on Thursday deployed last of 100 K-9 Vajra Tank in high altitude mountainous regions of Lakh. Three of se Howitzers have been deployed for trials in Lakh as tanks reached Leh on Wednesday and are now being transported to a high altitude base to be tested if y can be used in high altitude areas against enemy, ANI stated quoting government sources. Army Chief MM Naravane inducted last of 100 tanks as he h been monitoring manufacturing operations of se howitzers at L&T facility in Gujarat's Surat.

 (Pic credit: ANI)

(Pic credit: ANI)

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K-9 Vajra

 K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer designed and developed by  Agency for Defense Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for  Republic of Korea Armed Forces and is now manufactured by Hanwha Defense.

In 2017, Hanwha Defense of South Korea signed a contract worth $583 million with Indian Army to supply 100 K-9 self-propelled artillery guns. Post delivery of 10 K-9 Vajra guns, India’s private-sector defence contractor Larsen & Toubro h been manufacturing remaining 90 guns in India under 'Make in India' initiative with technical support from Korean firm.

Based on performance of se big guns,  Indian Army would consider placing orders for two to three ditional regiments of self-propelled howitzers for mountain operations, sources said according to ANI. Earlier in January 2021, Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani h flagged off 91st K9 VAJRA-T Gun from L&T's Armoured System Complex.

According to PTI quoting L&T, K9 VAJRA-T systems have been delivered with more than 80% indigenous work packages and above 50% indigenisation (by value) at programme level. This involves local production of over 13,000 s of components per gun system through a supply chain of about 1,000 industrial partners, mostly MSMEs, with about 150 of m being from Gujarat.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh h visited facility of L&T to oversee manufacturing operation of se big guns in January 2020.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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