Desk:The Indian Army is set to bolster its artillery capabilities as the Ministry of Defence has signed a ₹7,628.70 crore agreement with Larsen & Toubro Limited for the procurement of 155mm/52 caliber K-9 Vajra-T self-propelled tracked howitzers. The ministry announced on Friday that the purchase would be made under the “Indian” category, promoting domestic defense production. The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, senior ministry officials, and representatives from L&T.
The acquisition of K-9 Vajra-T howitzers marks a significant step in the modernization of India’s artillery. These advanced howitzers will enhance the Indian Army’s operational edge with their cross-country mobility and high-precision deep-strike capabilities. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the K-9 Vajra-T is designed to deliver accurate and rapid firepower over long distances, even in extreme conditions, including high-altitude areas with sub-zero temperatures.
This project is expected to generate over 9 lakh man-days of employment over four years, fostering active participation from MSMEs and other Indian industries. It stands as a testament to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, underscoring the government’s commitment to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).
INS Tushil Strengthens Indian Navy in Indian Ocean
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy’s latest Russian-built warship, INS Tushil, has set sail from Kaliningrad, Russia, for India. Commissioned on December 9 in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, this advanced warship combines cutting-edge Russian and Indian technologies.
With a length of 125 meters and a weight of 3,900 tons, INS Tushil is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. This comes at a time when China’s PLA Navy has increased its activities in the region.
The induction of K-9 Vajra-T howitzers and INS Tushil reflects India’s focused approach towards modernizing its armed forces and strengthening its defense capabilities in land and maritime domains.