India eyes biggest K-9 Vajra artillery expansion with 300 more howitzers

India is preparing a major expansion of its long-range artillery capabilities, with the Army considering the procurement of 300 additional K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers in a deal estimated at 230 billion Indian rupees (approximately $2.42 billion).

A proposal to advance the acquisition is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Defence's Defence Procurement Board this week, as Indian media reported.

If approved, the contract is likely to be awarded to Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which manufactures the K-9 Vajra in India under a technology transfer partnership with South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace.

The planned purchase would dramatically expand India's self-propelled artillery force. The Indian Army already operates 100 K-9 Vajras, while another 100 units were ordered in 2024. Approval of the latest proposal would bring the fleet to 500 howitzers, significantly strengthening India's long-range fire support along both its western border with Pakistan and its northern frontier with China.

The K-9 Vajra is India's customized version of South Korea's K9 Thunder, designed to provide highly mobile, long-range fire support across a variety of operational environments.

Powered by a 1,000-horsepower engine, the 50-ton platform can reach speeds of up to 67 kilometers per hour and has an operational range exceeding 360 kilometers.

Its 155 mm main gun is capable of firing both conventional high-explosive and precision-guided munitions to ranges of up to 50 kilometers. The system can fire three rounds in 15 seconds and sustain rates of up to eight rounds per minute during short periods of intensive bombardment.

According to several media sources, India selected the K-9 Vajra in 2015 after it outperformed Russia's 2S19 Msta-S during competitive field trials. The latest procurement plan reflects New Delhi's continued emphasis on boosting indigenous defense manufacturing while expanding its long-range strike capabilities amid evolving security challenges on both of its major land frontiers.

By Nazrin Sadigova