Indian army deploys one regiment of K9 Vajra 155mm howitzers in Ladakh sector.
According to information published by Indian newspaper websites on October 2, 2021, the Indian army has deployed a first artillery regiment equipped with K9 Vajra 155 tracked self-propelled howitzer in the Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
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Indian Army deploys K9 Vajra howitzers regiment in Ladakh region. (Picture source Times Now video footage)
Beginning on 5 May 2020, Chinese and Indian troops engaged in aggressive melee, face-offs and skirmishes at locations along the Sino-Indian border, including near the disputed Pangong Lake in Ladakh and the Tibet Autonomous Region, and near the border between Sikkim and the Tibet Autonomous Region. Additional clashes also took place at locations in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
April 2020 onwards divisions from the Western Theatre Command of PLA's (Chinese Armed Forces) Ground Force, the 4th (Highland) Motorized Infantry and 6th (Highland) Mechanized Infantry Divisions, moved units towards the LAC in eastern Ladakh reinforcing the existing deployment. The divisions stayed in eastern Ladakh from May 2020 to February 2021 following which they rotated with the 8th and the 11th Motorized Divisions. PLA Air Force and PLA Rocket Force deployed in support.
China is continuing to deploy a large number of troops and armaments in several high-altitude forward areas on its side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the government said on September 28, 2021.
According To Indian armed forces, around 50,000 to 60,000 Indian soldiers continue to be stationed along the LAC.
On October 2, 2021, the Indian Armed Forces commander has announced that China continues to deploy an important number of troops near Eastern Ladakh and Northern front right up to Indian Eastern command.
Citing Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane," The K9 Vajra howitzers can work in high-altitude areas, field trials were extremely successful. We have now added an entire regiment."
With the K9 Vajra, the Indian army has a powerful artillery vehicle that is able to provide fire support up to 50 km. The K9 Vajra is based on the K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and is now manufactured by Hanwha Defense.
The K9 Vajra howitzer is armed with a 155mm / 52 caliber cannon. It has a burst rate of fire of three rounds per 15 seconds and a maximum rate of fire of six to eight rounds a minute for three minutes. It has a maximum firing range of 50 km with the use of extended range ammunition.
