India Chooses K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Again This Time

Hanwha Aerospace Secures Additional K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer Order
Plans to Supply to Indian Army After Production by Local Partner L&T

India has decided to additionally procure Hanwha Aerospace's K9 self-propelled howitzers. Hanwha Aerospace signed a supply contract for the K9 self-propelled howitzers in 2017 and successfully completed delivery in 2020.

Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace (right), Lee Sung-ho, Ambassador of Korea to India, and Arun Ramchandani, Senior Vice President of L&T, are taking a commemorative photo at the K9 self-propelled howitzer export contract ceremony held on the 3rd (local time) at the Korean Embassy in New Delhi, India. Hanwha Aerospace

According to Hanwha Aerospace on the 3rd, "The additional export contract for the K9 self-propelled howitzers is valued at approximately 370 billion KRW, and we plan to supply the howitzers to the Indian Army in collaboration with the Indian company Larsen & Toubro (L&T)."

L&T has been producing the Indian version of the K9, called the ‘K9 Vajra’ (Vajra means thunder in Hindi), with technical support from Hanwha Aerospace and directly supplying it to the Indian military. The company explained that this additional contract is a result of the K9 self-propelled howitzer meeting the Indian Army’s stringent operational requirements and proving its reliability.

Hanwha Aerospace expects the Indian market to grow further. India is currently implementing military reform policies that include enhancing integrated operations capabilities across the army, navy, and air force, as well as modernizing infrastructure. The defense market in India is projected to grow from the current $17 billion to $25 billion within five years. This successful contract win positions Hanwha Aerospace advantageously for further expansion into the Indian market.

Hanwha Aerospace plans to challenge again for the Indian Army’s new self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system (SPAD-GMS) project by proposing the K30 Biho self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system. Anti-aircraft guns are close-in air defense systems designed to rapidly respond to attacks from aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles targeting ground forces. The Biho system combines the short-range self-propelled anti-aircraft gun ‘Biho’ with the Shingung surface-to-air missile and is currently operated by the Republic of Korea Army.

Until now, the Indian Army has used outdated 40mm Bofors autocannons (1,360 units) and Soviet-made ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft guns. According to the request for proposals for the new self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to replace these, the new system must have: △ a 6-wheel or 8-wheel armored vehicle equipped with main gun and missile capabilities △ up to six missiles with an effective range of 6.5 km and altitude of 3 km △ multiple barrels if the caliber is 35mm or less, or a single barrel if the caliber is above 35mm.

Hanwha Aerospace plans to produce the Biho system locally in India in partnership with L&T. India, which is implementing the national ‘Make in India’ policy to expand its manufacturing base, requires local production of imported weapons. The Biho system was previously selected as the preferred bidder for this project but did not reach a final contract. At that time, the project scale was known to be about $2.5 billion (approximately 3 trillion KRW), including the supply of 104 Biho systems. Hanwha Aerospace plans to complete exports by partnering with Indian companies, having already proven the excellence of the Biho system.

Since the Indian Army’s bid announcement in 2013, after technical evaluations, tests were conducted on Hanwha’s Biho system, Almaz-Antey’s upgraded Tunguska, and KBP TULA’s Pantsir missile systems. Almaz-Antey and KBP TULA are both Russian companies.

A Hanwha Aerospace official said, "The Biho system was the only anti-aircraft weapon system that met the Indian government’s requirements, and having been selected as the preferred bidder, its excellence has already been proven. We will prepare our best efforts."

Son Jae-il, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, said, "With the excellent performance and stable delivery record of the K9 self-propelled howitzer, we will further strengthen cooperation with each country in the Asian defense market, including India, beyond Europe."