The Indian Army Forces received into service the new K9 Vajra self-propelled 155 mm howitzer and M777A2 155 mm howitzer.
According to local media, the Indian Army received the first batch of its new artillery weapons, in the presence of Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief Bipin Rawat, at Devlali Field Firing Ranges in Maharashtra on Friday 9th November 2018.
The K9 VAJRA-T 155mm/ 52 is a tracked self-propelled howitzer, which has its roots in the K9 Thunder, the mainstay of the South Korean Army.
A Look at the New K9 Vajra
- Made of all-welded steel armour protection material.
- Has an automatic fire-control system (AFCS).
- A powered gun elevation / depression and a turret traverse system.
- Its gun has a maximum range of 28-38 km. It is capable of burst firing three rounds in 30 seconds
- Has a hydro-pneumatic suspension system that provides high-ground clearance and mobility across different terrains.
According to Defense Ministry spokesperson Colonel Aman Anand, the full delivery will be through by November 2020.
The first regiment of K9 Vajra, first-ever artillery gun manufactured by the Indian private sector, is expected to complete by July 2019.
The M777 howitzers were ordered under a government-to-government deal with the U.S.
The M 777 will be deployed on the high-altitude borders with China and Pakistan and is especially valuable with the Chinook helicopters that can transport them quickly.
