[Yonhap News Photo]
South Korea's Hanwha Techwin signed a 646 million US dollar joint venture contract to supply 100 units of its modified 155mm K-9 tracked self-propelled howitzer to the Indian army.
The deal on K-9 Vajra-T howitzers was signed in New Delhi between Hanwha and its Indian partner, Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Hanwha said ten K-9 Vajras would be built in South Korea and 90 others at L&T's plant near Pune, western India.
British defense media outlet IHS Jane's 360 reported earlier that the K9 deal would be the biggest signed with India's private sector for a large military platform and includes the option for an additional 50 guns.
K-9 is South Korea's home-made howitzer that entered service in 1999. It is compatible with standard NATO 155-mm ammunition and has a maximum range of 30 kilometers (18 miles).
K-9, one of South Korea's best-selling weapons, has been widely used by South Korean troops deployed along the border with North Korea and exported to Turkey and Poland. In early March, Hanwha forged a deal to sell 48 K-9s to Finland.
Lim Chang-won = cwlim34@ajunews.com
