K9-VAJRA - DEFENCE AND SECURITY
News: Government
starts process to buy 100 more K9-Vajras
What's in the news?
● The
Defence Ministry has started the process for the procurement of 100 more
K9-Vajra tracked self-propelled
howitzers which are built in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) using
technology transferred from South Korean
defence major Hanwha Defence.
Key takeaways:
● The
induction of Dhanush, K-9 Vajra and M777
Ultra Light Howitzers has enhanced the reach of artillery firepower on the
northern borders.
K9-Vajra:
● The
K9 Vajra is a 155 mm, 52-caliber tracked self-propelled howitzer built by
L&T with technology transferred from South Korean defence major Hanwha
Defense based on its K9 Thunder.
● The
K9 Vajra was mainly bought for use in
deserts, but the standoff prompted them to be deployed in the mountains as well.
● To
ensure that these systems performed optimally in the extreme cold weather conditions of the mountains, the Army also
procured winterisation kits for the regiment deployed.
M777 Ultra Light Howitzers:
● It
is a 155 mm, 39-caliber towed artillery gun made of titanium and aluminium alloys, procured
from the U.S.
● It
has a range of 2.4 to 30 km, depending on the type of ammunition used.