At the same time, the NDMA said that negotiations concerning the KMW-made Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the Nexter Caesar had been put "on hold". [33], In July 2016, the Finnish Ministry of Defence announced that an undisclosed number of used K9s have been selected to be acquired from the Republic of Korea. L&T said it has received a contract from the Indian MoD for delivery of 100 guns along with the associated engineering support package (ESP) and maintenance transfer of technology (MToT). K-9 Vajra-T:: India’s Deadly Self-Propelled Howitzer. The reloading is done through a munition bridge on the K10 that extends out to lock itself into a reception hole located at the rear of the K9. The gun has a maximum range of 28-38 km. The K9 Vajra is the Indian Army’s new self-propelled howitzer (SPH) jointly developed by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and South Korean defence manufacturer Hanwha Defence. Specifications. The deal included engineering and maintenance support and the necessary transfer of technology from Hanwha Defence. It’s a self-propelled artillery system, meaning that it doesn’t need to be towed behind an artillery truck like the Bofors 155mm cannon or the M777 howitzer. The purpose is to reduce the crew needed to operate the vehicle to two in order to mitigate personnel losses expected to be suffered during North Korean attacks. Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer is a variant of K9 Thunder which is in use in many armies including the Korean Army. India has been lacking in artillery systems to counter Pakistan. Along with the 155mm L52-series main gun, the gun platform is equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun with 500 rounds of ammunition. September 15, 2018 In a major accomplishment, Indian Army victoriously test fired from indigenous advanced gun K9-Vajra-T (long range) 155mm/ 52 calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer, which hit the target at Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer. The K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha Defense. As a result, the ADD determined to create new weapon system and worked on conceptual model till 1991. [30], In September 2015, Larsen and Toubro emerged as the finalist for a US$800 million contract to supply 100 self-propelled howitzers to the Indian Army. May 7, 2018 Shiva. [13][14], K9 is an indigenous system of an all-welded steel armour construction which is rated to withstand 14.5 mm armour piercing rounds, 152 mm shell fragments, and anti-personnel mines. Incidentally, it can also fire the Excalibur round, which is a smart shell used in the M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer. K9 howitzers operate in groups with the K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicle variant. [56], Norway has selected the K9 Thunder in its bid to replace the M109A3GNM SPHs that have been in service since the 1960s. The features of the K9 Vajra self-propelled Howitzer guns. Explore more on K9. Deolali: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inducted three major artillery gun systems, including the M777 American Ultra Light Howitzers and the K-9 Vajra, into the Army.. [4], By late 1990s, internal review showed localization of 107 out of 235 (45.5%) technologies required to build the artillery. The K9 Vajra -T 155mm/ 52 Cal. Six ROKMC howitzers engaged against the surprise attack from the North Korean artillery. The gun has a maximum range of 28-38 km. The K9 VAJRA-T is a variant of K9 Thunder, a South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer developed by Samsung Techwin for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and now manufactured by Hanwha Land Systems. Make in India – Defence [23][24][25] The Turkish variant self-propelled howitzer was named T-155 Firtina and to be assembled in Turkey. [citation needed], The K9 has the ability to fire its shells in MRSI mode (Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact). It is less likely to be engaged by counter-battery fire, by relying on shoot-and-scoot. The K9 VAJRA-T is a variant of the K9 Thunder, a South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer developed by Samsung Techwin for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces and now manufactured by Hanwha Land Systems. [20] Maximum transfer rate of shells is 12 rounds per minute, and maximum load of shells is 104 rounds. With a claimed range of 75 km, it offers greater mobility, longer range, higher rate of fire, and increased battlefield survivability, as it can quickly be brought into action, open fire, and come out of action. Here’s all you need to know about the K9 Vajra-T. Adreesh Ghoshal is an automobile engineer with a deep interest in defence technology. In 2015, L&T was shortlisted as the main vendor for the manufacture & supply of 100 K9 Vajra-T tracked artillery guns, with a view recapitalizing the Indian Army Artillery… Total production of 1,178 K9s and 179 K10s were fielded by 2019. It has a hydro pneumatic suspension system that allows it to drive over a 30% side slope, a 60% gradient and turn in 360-degrees using brake-torqueing, like a main battle tank. The K9 Vajra -T 155mm/ 52 Cal Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer. [28], Hanwha Techwin joined hand with Indian conglomerate Larsen and Toubro Limited to supply 100 K9-T guns (known in India as K-9 Vajra) for the Indian Army Howitzer competition. The entire K9 fleet operated by the ROK Armed Forces … K9 Vajra self-propelled Howitzer guns. Turkey is guaranteed to build 350 T-155 Fırtına under license for US$1.6 million per vehicle including right to export and modify. The air-conditioning units, auxiliary power units, running gear, hydraulics, structural assemblies, ammunition handling equipment and 14 other key sub-systems have been developed in India by L&T. Samsung Techwin has a joint venture with India’s Larsen and Turbo for producing K9 Howitzer for Indian Army. [6], A total of two prototypes were built and performed first open trial in 1996. The main weapon of the K9 Thunder consists of one 155mm / 52 caliber gun able to fire standard M107 high-explosive (HE) projectile. Mobility is provided via a 1,000-horsepower engine. [16], The K10 is an automatic ammunition resupply vehicle built on the K9 platform, part of the K9 Thunder system. With technical support from ADD and Samsung Aerospace Industries, Turkey started designing the structure of its self-propelled howitzer based on the K9 in 1999. The 155-mm howitzer can hit targets at a distance of 40km. Tracking The Tejas: The Design Evolution Of An Indian Fighter Part-I, The gun being manufactured for India is called the. He lives in Mumbai. [37] According to other sources, Estonia is teaming up with Finland in the procurement of the K9, and will order 12 howitzers. Firing range: 30 - 56 km. [45], Hanwha Defence Australia has been named the sole preferred bidder for the procurement of 30 K9 'Huntsman' self-propelled howitzers and 15 K10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicles. The K9 VAJRA-T is a variant of K9 Thunder which is inarguably the world's best 155mm/52 Cal.SPH in terms of number of systems in active service. [18], It was designed to give the artillery arm of the Republic of Korea Army a significant improvement in capability. The Vajra-T can operate in a CBRN environment (an area where chemical, biological or nuclear weapons have been used). 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