The 91st K9 VAJRA-T Gun from L&T’s Armoured System Complex (ASC) was on Monday flagged off ahead of contractual delivery date by the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Vijay Rupani. In this massive project of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the private sector enterprise L&T has been keeping the track record of ahead-of-time deliveries. K9 VAJRA-T’ 155mm/52 calibre Tracked, Self-Propelled Howitzer Guns
The enterprise L&T had won this contract by means of a international bidding and is at present generating this gun in its facility positioned in Gujarat.
The project requires the delivery of one hundred systems with linked Engineering Support Package (ESP) which covers the Spares, Documentation & Training. And, also Maintenance Transfer of Technology (MToT) to the Army Base Workshop to assistance the Howitzer regiments all through their operational life cycle.
Under `Make in India’ initiative, the L&T has established a green-field manufacturing cum integration cum testing facility, the ‘Armoured Systems Complex’ (ASC) at Hazira close to Surat.
According to JD Patil, Whole-time Director & Senior Executive Vice President (Defence & Smart Technologies), L&T, “The production of Armoured Platforms like the K9 VAJRA contributes to the Indian economy with a large multiplier effect. It plays a significant role in building the Defence Industrial base in India and also creates new job opportunities.”
The infrastructure that L&T has constructed at the Armoured Systems Complex in the state of Gujarat, according to Mr Patil, is “Ready to develop, qualify and build India’s future armoured platforms for our Armed Forces.”
The enterprise in its official statement claims to have made an business benchmark by when once again delivering the only in-service, 155mm/52 calibre Artillery Gun, ahead of schedule.
Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat policies of the Central Government, the L&T complicated is anticipated to stay completely engaged in giving sustenance to the provide chain for developing Armoured Platforms indigenously. The Whole-time Director & Senior Executive Vice President expressed hope that “the State of Gujarat will continue to encourage and support the high technology Defence and Aerospace Production units in service of the Nation”.
More about K-9 VAJRA –T
These are getting delivered with more than 80 per cent indigenous work packages and above 50 per cent indigenisation (by worth) at the Program level.
This suggests, the involvement of nearby production of more than 13,000 kinds of elements per gun method by means of a provide chain of about 1000 industrial partners. These industrial partners are mostly MSMEs. And about 150 of them are from the state of Gujarat.
The K-9 VAJRA is the indigenized version of the fundamental K9 Thunder from the South Korean companion Hanwha Systems. L&T has indigenously created and made fourteen important systems. These contain the Fire Control System, Direct Fire System, Ammunition Handling System and other environmental manage and security systems, which suit Indian operating situations and specifications.
The gun is created with India distinct options and is completely compliant to Indian Army’s requirements and has exceeded the indigenous manufacturing content.
A young group of engineers has been made who specialize in manufacturing automation and integration. This group has had education at the Hanwha facilities in South Korea as properly educated by the in-residence weapons systems specialists.
More about the facility
It is a state-of-the-art facility spread more than 40 acres and made to manufacture and integrate sophisticated armoured platforms. These contain Self-Propelled Artillery Howitzers, Future Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV), Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCV) or Future Main Battle Tanks.