Larsen and Toubro on Friday announced a partnership with South Korean Hanwha Techwin to manufacture self-propelled battle guns for the Indian Army.

Both sides signed a contract here for the execution of at least 100 ‘K-9 Vajra’ 155mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzers, nearly 10 years after the first request-for-proposal was floated way back in 2007. Since then, two more RFPs were issued, with L&T emerging the top choice in 2011.

This move comes after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by the Prime Minister, cleared the multi-million dollar proposal. The procurement programme is expected to give a major boost to the Indian Army, which is in dire need of battlefield guns.

"L&T plans to begin production of this vital weapon system at its strategic systems complex at Talegaon near Pune. L&T has initiated the setting up of a greenfield manufacturing line at Hazira, Gujarat, to produce, test and qualify the K9 Vajra-T guns," said Jayant Patil, Head of Defence and Aerospace and Member of the Heavy Engineering Board, L&T, at a press conference here.

However, the company has not yet been able to grab the contract from the Ministry of Defence, although it hopes that it will be signed soon.

Under the present arrangement with Hanwha Techwin, 50 per cent of the gun will be indigenised in India.

"A total of 100 guns will be produced, of which 10 will be sent from Korea. The remaining 90 units will be assembled in India by L&T," said Hyun Woo Shin, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Hanwha Techwin.

The first batch of 10 guns is expected to be ready for delivery before the end of the current fiscal.

Both firms also have long-term plans to export these guns to countries where there is a requirement for battle guns in desert areas.

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