Hanwha Aerospace has signed a $253 million contract to deliver 100 additional K9 self-propelled howitzers to India.
According to a report from The Korea Herald, Hanwha will provide components to Indian multinational Larsen & Toubro for local production of the Vajra-T variant, following the completion of an initial 100-unit order in 2020. Under the new agreement, local material sourcing is set to increase to 60 percent, up from 50 percent in the previous deal.
The Vajra-T is an Indian-specific variant of the South Korean K9 Thunder, modified for enhanced performance in desert and high-altitude environments. It features a 155 mm/52-caliber main gun capable of firing high-explosive, smoke and guided projectiles up to 50 kilometers with extended-range ammunition. The howitzer is powered by a 1,000-horsepower MTU die/sel engine, allowing a top speed of 67 kph and an operational range of 360 km.
In 2015, India selected the K9 Vajra-T after it outperformed the Russian 2S19 Msta-S in trials that included extensive desert and high-altitude testing. The Indian Ministry of Defence signed an initial contract in 2017 with the units jointly produced by L&T and Korea’s Hanwha Techwin.
The new deal with India is the latest in Hanwha Aerospace’s recent international collaborations. In February, the company partnered with Northrop Grumman to support South Korea’s Mine Countermeasures Helicopter program. Hanwha also announced a tieup with Estonia’s Milrem Robotics to develop and market robotic combat vehicles and other ground robotic systems.