New Delhi: The Indian Army has ordered additional 155 mm/52 calibre self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) known as K-9 Vajra-T designed by South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, reported a leading media outlet.

The company has received an additional order of 100 K-9s from India, which is in process now, a Hanwha spokesperson was quoted by the media outlet. “[An order of] another 100 numbers [of K-9s] is being discussed and can be closed within 2023. We [Hanwha] are already in touch with our partner Larsen & Toubro (L&T) [regarding the order],” said Hanwha spokesperson. He further added, “These additional quantities under repeat order will include the K-9 upgraded with high-altitude area application as well as existing [technologies on] K-9s.”

At present, the Indian Army has 100 in-service K-9 Vajra-Ts, which are the Indian-manufactured variant of the K-9 Thunder, with 50% of their components being manufactured in India. According to the media report, India’s requirement for 100 NATO-compatible SPHs was issued in 1994, and by 2010, the tender had failed to arrive at a solution that met India’s requirements. It was only in September 2015 that the K-9 was selected.