Why In News?

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN for the procurement of over 300 additional K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers at an estimated cost exceeding ₹20,000 crore.

What is K9 Vajra-T?

The K9 Vajra-T is a 155 mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer manufactured in India by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) with technology transferred from South Korea's Hanwha Defense (Hanwha Aerospace).  

• Type: Tracked self-propelled artillery system (howitzer) designed for high-angle ballistic firing.  

• Weight & Armor: Weighs 50 tonnes and features an all-welded steel armor hull (up to 19 mm thick) protecting against shell splinters, mines, and small-arms fire.  

• Engine & Mobility: Powered by an MTU MT 881 Ka-500 diesel engine (1,000 HP), reaching a top road speed of 67 km/h and capable of 360-degree pivot turns in place. 

• Firing Range: Can hit targets up to 40 km with standard high-explosive shells and up to 50 km with extended-range rocket-assisted projectiles. 

• Rate of Fire: Features a burst rate of 3 rounds per 15 seconds and a sustained maximum rate of 6 to 8 rounds per minute. Supports MRSI (Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact) via a digital fire control system.  

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• Crew: Operated by a crew of 5 personnel.  

Strategic Significance 

• Terrain Adaptation: Initially procured for desert operations, the 2020 India-China standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) led the Indian Army to deploy regiments to high-altitude cold regions (such as Ladakh) outfitted with special winterization kits, auxiliary power systems, and heated battery compartments.  

• Make in India / Indigenization: Built under the 'Buy Global' program with local manufacturing at L&T's Hazira facility in Gujarat. Indigenous content has scaled past 50–82% (with new proposed procurements aiming for over 70–80% domestic value addition across fire control systems, hulls, and turrets).  

What is Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)?

It is the highest decision-making body in the Ministry of Defence for capital acquisitions and procurement policies governing the armed forces and the Indian Coast Guard.  

• Origin: Established in 2001. Created based on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Reforming the National Security System following the 1999 Kargil War.

• Goal: To streamline the procurement process, remove bureaucratic delays, and ensure timely acquisition of military capabilities.  

Composition

• Chairman: Union Defence Minister (Raksha Mantri)  

• Members:

• Raksha Rajya Mantris (Ministers of State for Defence)

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force

• Defence Secretary

• Secretary (Defence Production)

• Secretary (Department of Defence R&D)

• Secretary (Defence Finance) / Financial Advisor  

• Member Secretary: Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Policy, Planning & Force Development)

Key Functions

• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN): Grants the first formal clearance (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals.  

• Categorization: Decides procurement categories such as Buy, Buy & Make (Indian), Buy & Make, and Make to drive indigenization under Atmanirbhar Bharat.  

• Long-Term Planning: Gives in-principle approval to the 15-year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) for the armed forces. 

• Financial and Policy Oversight: Evaluates single-vendor clearances, monitors major projects via the Defence Procurement Board, and decides on offset provisions (for deals exceeding ₹300 crore).  

Source: BUSINESS-STANDARD