PM opens 1st pvt howitzer gun-making unit

Hazira (Gujarat), January 19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Armoured Systems Complex of Larsen and Toubro in Gujarat, the first private facility in the country where the K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer guns will be manufactured.

In 2017, L&T had won the Rs 4,500-crore contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled gun systems to the Army under the Centre’s “Make in India” initiative.

“I congratulate the entire team of L&T for building the state-of-the-art K-9 Vajra Self Propelled Howitzer. This is a significant contribution towards India’s defence sector and protecting the country,” Modi tweeted. The PM shared a short video on his Twitter handle of himself standing in a tank. “Checking out the tanks at L&T’s Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira,” he said in the tweet.

The company has set up the facility in Hazira, around 30 km from Surat, to manufacture and integrate advanced armoured platforms, such as self-propelled artillery Howitzers, future infantry combat vehicles, future-ready combat vehicles and future main battle tanks. Spread over 40 acres within L&T’s 755-acre Hazira Manufacturing Complex, the ASC is executing the K9 Vajra guns programme.

The K9 Vajra contract involves delivery of 100 such systems in 42 months, which is the largest contract awarded to a private company by the Ministry of Defence.

Present at the function were Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Defence Acquisition of the Republic of Korea Wang Jung Hong, and L&T Group Chairman AM Naik. The facility has been developed to make full-fledged battle tank manufacturing possible in India, a senior L&T Defence official said. — PTI

100 units in 42 months

755 acre L&T’s Hazira manufacturing complex

40 acre Armoured Systems Complex that will execute K9 Vajra guns programme

100 Units of K9 Vajra to be manufactured by L&T

42 months time in which these will be delivered

Larsen and Toubro had signed a transfer of technology contract for guns with South Korean company Hanwha Corporation

Boosting ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector is our endeavour. I am glad that the private sector too is supporting this pursuit and making a valuable contribution. Narendra Modi