SOURCE: AFI
In a significant decision reflecting continuity in its military procurement strategy, the Indian Army has confirmed it will adhere to the MTU 1,000 hp diesel engines for its second batch of 100 K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers. This choice underscores the Army’s trust in the proven reliability and performance of the German-made MTU engines, which have been coupled with the Allison Transmission X1100-5A3 automatic transmission in the first batch of these formidable artillery units.
The K-9 Vajra, a variant of South Korea’s K9 Thunder, is manufactured in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under a license from Hanwha Aerospace Co. The first batch of 100 howitzers was inducted into service with the same MTU engines, demonstrating their effectiveness in various terrains, including the high-altitude regions along India’s borders.
Despite the availability of a newer engine, the STX Engine SMV1000, a 735 kW (1,000 hp) @ 2,700 rpm 8-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine developed by a South Korean firm, the Indian Army has decided against switching. This choice to stick with the MTU engines for the second batch reaffirms the Army’s strategy of maintaining a standardized and well-understood platform for operational efficiency and logistics.
However, this does not mean the door is closed to future technological advancements. The Indian Army, while committed to the MTU engines for the K-9 Vajra, continues to evaluate emerging technologies for other platforms and future procurements. The emphasis remains on enhancing the self-reliance of the Indian defence sector under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, though not at the cost of compromising on proven field performance.