The Indian Army is planning its largest artillery modernization initiative, proposing a ₹23,000-crore deal to procure 300 additional K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers. If approved, this would expand the fleet to about 500 units and enable the formation of roughly 25 artillery regiments. The Army operates 100 K9 Vajra guns and has another 100 on order. The new proposal would significantly scale up this capability, with each regiment typically consisting of 18 guns plus two additional units reserved for operational contingencies. This expansion goes well beyond the earlier Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, which had projected a much smaller mix of tracked and wheeled self-propelled systems. Once completed, the Vajra series would become the core of India’s tracked artillery strength.

The K9 Vajra is a 155 mm/52-calibre self-propelled gun system designed for long-range precision fire, capable of striking targets beyond 40 km using standard ammunition and up to around 54 km with advanced extended-range projectiles. It can fire three rounds in 15 seconds and supports multiple-round simultaneous impact, allowing shells fired at different times to hit a target together. Its shoot-and-scoot capability enables it to fire and quickly relocate, improving survival against enemy counter-battery attacks.

Equipped with an automated loading system, modern fire-control technology, and protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical threats, the system is designed for high battlefield survivability. Its armored and tracked design allows it to operate across deserts, plains, and mountainous terrain. After the 2020 Galwan clashes, it was deployed in Ladakh and adapted for extreme cold conditions, proving its effectiveness in high-altitude environments. The system can travel at speeds of up to 67 kmph with an operational range of about 480 km.

The K9 platform is used by multiple countries worldwide, including South Korea, Finland, Egypt, and Australia, highlighting its adaptability across diverse climates. In India, the Vajra-T variant is manufactured domestically by Larsen & Toubro at its Hazira facility in Gujarat. Domestic production includes a growing share of indigenous components—such as fire-control systems, communications gear, NBC protection systems, and targeting optics—with local content rising from around 50% in the initial batch to nearly 60% in later orders, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

India first ordered 100 Vajra units in 2017 for about ₹4,500 crore, followed by another 100 in 2023 worth roughly ₹7,600 crore. The proposed third tranche, valued at ₹23,000 crore, would be the most significant artillery purchase in decades and would substantially increase Larsen & Toubro’s manufacturing output.

The Army’s long-term goal is to standardize 155 mm artillery systems across regiments by 2042, and this acquisition is expected to play a central role in that transition. Strategically, the expansion is aimed at enhancing strike capability on both western and northern fronts—against Pakistan in desert terrain and China in high-altitude regions like Ladakh. With its rapid-fire capability and ability to reposition quickly, the K9 Vajra is considered highly effective in modern combat scenarios where mobility and protection from counter-battery fire are critical.