What is K-9 Vajra?

May 30, 2024

Several key 'Made in India' defence projects, including proposals for acquiring more K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers and fighter aircraft engines, are awaiting final approval by the Centre after the elections.

About K-9 Vajra:

  • It is a 155 mm, 52-caliber tracked self-propelled artillery system.
  • It can fire shells at great elevation angles to hit targets far away.
  • It is built by Larsen & Toubrowith technology transferred from South Korean defence major Hanwha Défense based on its K9 Thunder platform.
  • It can perform a variety of missions due to its capacity to fire a wide range of artillery ammunition, including high explosive, smoke and illumination shells.
  • Features:
    • It has all-welded steel armour up to 19mm thick.
    • The main weapon is the 155mm / 52 calibre gun.
    • The gun weighs 50 tonnes and can fire 47kg bombs.
    • It has a burst rate of fire of three rounds per 15 secondsand a maximum rate of fire of six to eight rounds per minute for three minutes.
    • It can strike enemy targets at around 50 kilometres.
    • It can also turn around at zero radius, basically at the same place where they are standing.
    • The K9 uses a digital fire control system, by which it can fire multiple rounds that can impact a given area at the same time.