Platform profile · India · 155 mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer · Indian Army
K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52-calibre Tracked Self-Propelled Gun
OngoingSecond-batch production was officially described as in progress on 2026-04-20; Indian media then reported a proposed 300-gun follow-on on 2026-06-12.
Indian media reported on 12 June 2026 that the Army was preparing a proposed Rs 23,000 crore purchase of 300 more K9 Vajra-T guns; the proposal had not yet been approved. An India-Republic of Korea joint statement on 20 April 2026 said second-batch production was in progress, following the Rs 7,628.70 crore Ministry of Defence contract of December 2024 and Hanwha Aerospace's $253 million agreement with L&T in April 2025. The first 100 were ordered in 2017 for about Rs 4,500 crore, formally entered service in November 2018 and were all delivered by February 2021. The Indian-adapted 155 mm/52-calibre tracked system combines a reported 40 km standard-ammunition reach, up to 50 km with extended-range projectiles, high mobility, 6-8 rounds-per-minute burst fire and shoot-and-scoot operation. It matters by giving India's armoured formations protected, mobile deep fire in deserts and high-altitude sectors while sustaining domestic production.
Updated 12 Jun 2026
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Platform type | Tracked self-propelled gun ↗ |
| Calibre and barrel | 155 mm, 52 calibre ↗ |
| Indian variant | K9 Thunder adaptation customised for Indian conditions, including desert operations ↗ |
| Reported standard-ammunition reach | Up to 40 km ↗ |
| Reported extended-range reach | Up to 50 km with extended-range projectiles ↗ |
| Reported burst rate | 6-8 rounds per minute ↗ |
| Maximum speed | 67 km/h ↗ |
| Vehicle range on one fuel load | 360-450 km ↗ |
| Fire-and-move capability | Shoot-and-scoot operation ↗ |
| Mobility and protection | High mobility and protection levels for cross-country operation ↗ |
| Climate and terrain capability | Designed for extreme weather and hostile terrain; the follow-on configuration is intended to operate fully in sub-zero, high-altitude areas ↗ |
| Initial programme indigenous content | More than 50% indigenous content ↗ |
Spec sources: lntpes.com ↗ · corpwebstorage.blob.core.windows.net ↗ · timesofindia.indiatimes.com ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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Indian media reported that the Army was preparing a proposed Rs 23,000 crore purchase of 300 additional K9 Vajra-T guns, with the proposal expected to go before the Defence Procurement Board; no approval was reported.
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India and the Republic of Korea said in a joint strategic vision that second-batch K9 Vajra production was in progress and welcomed efforts to replicate the cooperation model in other defence technologies.
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The Indian Army displayed a K9 Vajra-T at its Army Day parade in Jaipur.
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Hanwha Aerospace announced a new $253 million contract with Larsen & Toubro for the second K9 Vajra-T programme in India.
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The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 7,628.70 crore Buy (Indian) contract with Larsen & Toubro for additional 155 mm/52-calibre K9 Vajra-T guns for the Indian Army.
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Army Chief General M. M. Naravane flagged off the 100th K9 Vajra-T from L&T's Hazira facility, completing the initial 100-gun contract ahead of schedule.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the 51st K9 Vajra-T at L&T's Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira; PIB said 51 of 100 ordered guns had been delivered ahead of schedule.
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Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dedicated the K9 Vajra-T to the Indian Army at Devlali Field Firing Ranges; the first 10 guns were assembled in India from Korean semi-knocked-down kits.
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Larsen & Toubro entered a roughly Rs 4,500 crore contract with the Ministry of Defence for 100 K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled guns, to be delivered in 42 months.
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