The Indian Army is preparing to request government approval for a significant procurement of over 300 K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, valued at approximately ₹23,000 crore. This proposal is set to be presented to the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) soon. If approved, the contract will likely be awarded to Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which has been assembling the K9 Vajra under a license from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace. This acquisition would be the largest artillery procurement in decades, pushing L&T's total production past 500 units. The K9 Vajra is a 155mm/52-calibre tracked howitzer capable of targeting beyond 40 kilometers, providing the army with enhanced long-range firepower. The need for this procurement arises from the army's strategy to bolster capabilities on two fronts, particularly in the Thar Desert and along the Line of Actual Control with China. The K9's mobility and protection features are critical for operations in these varied terrains, and trials of a cold-weather variant have shown satisfactory performance in Ladakh. This expanded procurement aims to fill deployment gaps in both operational theaters.