Hanwha Aerospace Co. signed a 370 billion won ($254 million) contract to supply K9 self-propelled howitzers to India, marking its second major defense deal with the South Asian nation since their initial partnership in 2017.
The South Korean defense manufacturer will deliver the artillery systems by September 2030 in collaboration with Indian engineering firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which will manufacture the localized K9 Vajra-T version at its plant in Gujarat state according to statements from the company.
This contract follows a previous 770 billion won agreement from 2017, under which Hanwha supplied 100 K9 howitzers to the Indian Army through 2020. The new deal raises the indigenous content from over 50% in the first program to 60% through expanded industrial cooperation.
The K9 Vajra-T was jointly developed to meet India’s requirements for operations in varied terrains including deserts, highlands, and plains. The 155mm, 52-caliber tracked artillery platform has demonstrated strong performance in India’s challenging environments.
Son Jae-il, Hanwha Aerospace’s CEO, emphasized that this additional order reflects their proven track record in delivering reliable systems on schedule. “We will continue to be a trusted partner for India’s defense capabilities, supporting India’s vision for defense manufacturing self-reliance,” he said.
The agreement comes amid India’s broader military modernization efforts. The country’s defense market is projected to expand from $17 billion currently to $25 billion within five years, according to industry analysts.
Hanwha claims its K9 howitzer holds a 50-55% global market share. The system has been exported to numerous countries including Poland, Finland, Norway, Estonia, Australia, Egypt, and Romania.
