New Delhi: South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace announced a $253 million contract with India for a second round of 100 K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers.
“This follow-up order reflects the deepening defence partnership between Korea and India,” Jae-il Son, CEO and president of Hanwha Aerospace, said in a statement. “We will continue to be a trusted, reliable partner for India’s defence capabilities in the years ahead, supporting India’s vision for defence manufacturing self-reliance.”
The 155mm howitzers will be built in India by Larsen & Toubro, as part of the country’s vigorous effort to increase the amount and value of weapons built in India. The contract was signed at the South Korean embassy in New Delhi. An initial order of 100 of the same self-propelled howitzers was placed in 2017. The first K9 Vajra-T order used more than 50 percent local materials and parts, according to Hanwha release. The new contract plans to hit 60 percent.
Defence cooperation between Korea and India “has expanded significantly in recent years, encompassing various domains including land systems, aerospace, and maritime technologies,” the Hanwha release said mentioning “air defence systems and advanced military technologies.” That’s likely a reference to a Hanwha product called Hybrid BiHo, reportedly still under consideration for acquisition by New Delhi.
The release by Hanwha Aerospace stated that it “remains committed to expanding its partnership with India beyond the K9 Vajra program.”
In 2018, Prime Minister Modi noted his country’s “strong momentum in our cooperation with Republic of Korea” at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. The two countries elevated their cooperation to that of a “Special Strategic Partnership” in 2015 and have reinvigorated it since.
