K-9 Vajra: A Powerful Self-Propelled Artillery System

The K-9 Vajra is a significant 'Made in India' defense project developed in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro and South Korean defense major Hanwha Defense.

1. This advanced artillery system is eagerly awaiting final approval from the Centre after the elections.

About K-9 Vajra:

1. It is a 155 mm, 52-caliber tracked self-propelled artillery system.
2. The K-9 Vajra is engineered to fire shells at high elevation angles, allowing it to strike targets at extended ranges.
3. Built by Larsen & Toubro, it incorporates technology transferred from Hanwha Defense, based on their acclaimed K9 Thunder platform.
4. The K-9 Vajra has a versatile range of missions due to its capacity to fire various artillery ammunition, including high explosive, smoke, and illumination shells.

Features of K-9 Vajra:

1. All-welded steel armor up to 19mm thick for enhanced protection.
2. Equipped with a 155mm/52 caliber gun as its main armament.
3. The gun weighs 50 tonnes and fires 47kg bombs.
4. It possesses a burst rate of fire of three rounds per 15 seconds and a maximum rate of fire of 6 to 8 rounds per minute for 3 minutes.
5. The K-9 Vajra can hit enemy targets approximately 50 kilometers away.
6. Remarkably, it can turn around at a zero radius, allowing for precise positioning.
7. The K-9 Vajra utilizes a sophisticated digital fire control system, enabling multiple rounds to impact a given area simultaneously.

K9 Thunder: The South Korean Origin:

1. The K9 Thunder is the original South Korean self-propelled 155mm howitzer developed by Samsung Techwin and now manufactured by Hanwha Land Systems.
2. In 2017, a contract was signed between India's Larsen & Toubro and Hanwha Techwin (HTW) to produce the K9 155mm/52 Caliber Tracked Self-Propelled howitzer for the Indian Army under the name Vajra-T.
3. This enhanced version of the K9 Thunder is designed to meet specific requirements of the Indian Army, including desert operations.

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