Hanwha Aerospace has announced on April 3 the signing of a new $253 million contract with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to supply components for 100 additional K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers to the Indian Army.
The contract signing ceremony took place at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the defense partnership between South Korea and India.
This second contract follows the successful delivery of the initial 100 units ordered in 2017, which demonstrated exceptional performance across India’s diverse operational environments.
The new contract marks a significant advancement in the established production framework.
While the first K9 Vajra-T program achieved over 50% local production, the new contract aims to increase this to 60% through expanded industrial cooperation.
“This follow-up order reflects the deepening defense partnership between Korea and India,” said Son Jae-il, CEO and President of Hanwha Aerospace.
“We will continue to be a trusted, reliable partner for India’s defense capabilities in the years ahead, supporting India’s vision for defense manufacturing self-reliance.”
The defense cooperation between Korea and India has expanded significantly in recent years, encompassing various domains including land systems, aerospace, and maritime technologies.
The success of the K9 Vajra-T program has paved the way for exploring additional opportunities in areas such as air defense systems and advanced military technologies.
The K9 Vajra-T has proven its exceptional capabilities across India’s challenging terrains with its advanced 155mm/52-caliber gun system.
The artillery system delivers precision fire at long range while maintaining a high rate of fire in burst mode and sustained operations.
Hanwha Aerospace remains committed to expanding its partnership with India beyond the K9 Vajra program.
The company’s comprehensive portfolio, including advanced air defense systems and aerospace technologies, aligns well with India’s military modernization goals.
This partnership exemplifies the growing defense industrial cooperation between South Korea and India, setting a foundation for future collaborative projects in defense manufacturing.
(From left) Kim Dong-hyun, Head of Land Systems Business Group, Ms. Barbara Cena, Member of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer; Son Jae-il, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace, and MR. Wojciech Kedziera, President of the Management Board attend a ceremony for the signing of a contract over the supply of chassis components for Krab Self-Propelled Howitzers on April 7. (Photos: Hanwha Aerospace)
Hanwha Aerospace Signs Contract with HSW over Krab Chassis components
Hanwha Aerospace and HSW S.A. have signed a contract over the supply of chassis components for Krab Self-Propelled Howitzers, setting a new benchmark in a decade-long partnership between the two major industries.
Under the contract valued around USD 280 million, Hanwha Aerospace will supply Krab components between 2026 and 2028.
The contract also includes the supply of powerpacks for the SPH Krab, a key artillery capability operated by the Polish Armed Forces.
The Krab is a 155mm/52-calibre SPH designed and manufactured in Poland by HSW S.A. in cooperation with Hanwha.
The signing ceremony was held at the headquarters of HSW in Stalowa Wola, with the attendance of high-profile representatives from both companies, including Mr. Son Jae-il, President and CEO of Hanwha Aerospace and Mr. Wojciech Kdeziera, President of the Management Board and General Director of Huta Stalowa Wola S.A.; Mr. Arkadiusz Bąk, President of the Management Board, General Director of PGZ S.A.; Mr. Kim Dong-hyun, Head of Land Systems Business Group, Hanwha Aerospace; and Mr. Billy Boo-hwan Lee, CEO of Hanwha Aerospace Europe.
About a decade ago, we began our journey together with the first KRAB program, Mr. Son said during the ceremony.
The success of those 120 units demonstrated not only the integration of technologies from both sides but also became the cornerstone of an ironclad relationship between our two nations.
Mr.Son added, Hanwha Aerospace will stand by HSW for the freedom of our countries, leveraging HSW s world-class facilities and engineering expertise.
In 2014, Hanwha signed an agreement to supply chassis components for the Krab howitzer.
