Prime Minister Modi inaugurates L&T's K9 Vajra weapon making facility

Hazira (Guj), Jan 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday inaugurates the Armored Systems Complex of Larsen and Toubro in Gujarat, the first private facility in the nation where the K9 Vajra self-propelled Howitzer firearms will be made.

L&T had in 2017 won the Rs 4,500-crore contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52 gauge followed self-moved firearm frameworks to the Indian Army under the Centre's 'Make in India' activity.

"I congratulate the entire team of Larsen and Toubro for building the state-of-the-art K-9 Vajra Self Propelled Howitzer. This is a critical commitment towards India's resistance segment and ensuring the nation," Modi tweeted.

"Boosting 'Make in India' in the defence sector is our endeavour. I am happy that the private sector also is supporting this pursuit and making a valuable contribution," he said in another tweet.

The prime minister shared a short video on his Twitter handle of himself remaining in a tank. "Looking at the tanks at L&T's Armored Systems Complex in Hazira," he said in the tweet.

The company has set up the facility in Hazira, around 30km from Surat, to produce 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 more than 40 acres within L&T's 755-section of land Hazira Manufacturing Complex, the ASC is executing the K9 Vajra Spread over 40 acres within L&T's 755-acre Hazira Manufacturing Complex, the ASC is executing the K9 Vajra guns programme.
program.

The K9 Vajra contract includes conveyance of 100 such frameworks in 42 months, which is the biggest contract granted to a private company by the Ministry of Defence.

L&T had signed a transfer of technology contract for weapons with South Korean organization Hanwha Corporation.

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 A M Naik.

The office has been produced to make undeniable fight tank fabricating conceivable in India, a senior L&T Defence official told.

"By including 400 SMEs and creating 13,000 sections indigenously, thecompany is moving in the direction of manufacturing a totally indigenous battle tank without relying upon outer help," said J D Patil, senior official VP, L&T Defence.

"Until further notice, we need to rely upon outer innovation. Under the program, we have joined forces with South Korea's largest defence organization Hanwha. We had offered the program to the administration and Army tried the model for 3.5 years. After accomplishment of the testing, the request was set," Patil said.

"The gun weighs 50 tons and can fire 47kg bombs at a 43-kilometre separate target. It can pivot at zero range. Fire innovation framework and real gadgets and upgrades are indigenous," Patil said.

Of the complete 100 tanks, 10 have been conveyed by September a year ago.

The company also tests tanks at its defensively covered frameworks complex in Hazira by running it for 80-100 kilometres in various recreated territories, he said.

"The greatest advantage of the indigenisation procedure is to the Army, which won't need to rely upon remote countries for extra parts amid its 40-year life cycle. The Army's life cycle cost will be definitely diminished and we won't be held payment by any nation," Patil said.

L&T's ASC in Hazira is the first manufacturing facility in the private sector to produce advanced armoured platforms for the defence sector. This is the tenth assembling unit of the technology, engineering, construction, defence and services conglomerate.