Deal sealed: K9 Vajra artillery guns set to boost firepower of Indian Army in high-altitude combat zones

In a move that is expected to significantly boost the strike capabilities of the Indian Army in all terrains, the defence ministry inked a contract with Larsen & Toubro Ltd for procurement of K9 Vajra artillery guns at a cost of Rs 7,628 crore.

K9 Vajra artillery guns, equipped with cutting-edge technology, are capable of delivering long-range lethal fires with great accuracy.

According to media reports, the ministry is procuring around 100 Vajra guns largely for deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as these would be able to operate in sub-zero temperatures in high-altitude areas without any glitches.

"The defence ministry signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Ltd for procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army under Buy (Indian) category at a total cost of Rs 7,628.70 crore," a defence ministry statement said.

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The procurement of K9 Vajra-T will catalyse the artillery modernisation and enhance overall operational readiness of the Indian Army, it added.

"This versatile artillery gun, with its cross-country mobility, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the firepower of the Indian Army, enabling deeper strike with precision and its lethal firepower will bolster the capability of artillery in all terrains," the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the project will generate an employment of more than nine lakh man-days over a period of four years.

"The project will be a proud flag-bearer of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in consonance with the 'Make-in-India' initiative," it added.