Watch: Narendra Modi rides K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, video goes viral

The Lok Sabha Elections are being billed as the most crucial battle for India. While war idioms are often used for poll stories these days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen getting in combat mode, literally! On Saturday, while the entire Opposition targeted the BJP government at Mamata Banerjee-led United India Rally, the Prime Minister was seen checking out new gun system at an establishment in Gujarat’s Hazira. PM Modi inaugurated the Armoured Systems Complex of Larsen and Toubro in Gujarat, the first private facility in the country where the K9 Vajra self-propelled Howitzer guns will be manufactured.

Soon, PM Modi shared a small clip of him riding the K-9 Vajra howitzer. The video has gone viral.

 

Checking out the tanks at L&T’s Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira. pic.twitter.com/zf7wRrbX7Y

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2019

The L&T had in 2017 won the Rs 4,500-crore contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled gun systems to the Indian Army under the Centre's 'Make in India' initiative.

 

#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi rides a K-9 Vajra Self Propelled Howitzer built by Larsen & Toubro pic.twitter.com/ww9B90OaiD

— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2019

In a series of tweets, PM Modi also congratulated the Vajra team. “Had the privilege of inaugurating the Larsen and Toubro Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, Gujarat. Boosting ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector is our endeavour. I am glad that the private sector too is supporting this pursuit and making a valuable contribution,” PM Modi said on Twitter. He also hailed L&T for its role in developing the howitzer guns. “I congratulate the entire team of Larsen & Toubro for building the state-of-the-art K-9 Vajra Self Propelled Howitzer. This is a significant contribution towards India’s defence sector and protecting the country,” he said in another tweets.

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The company has set up the Armoured Systems Complex at Hazira, around 30km from Surat, to manufacture and integrate advanced armoured platforms, such as self-propelled artillery Howitzers, future infantry combat vehicles, future-ready combat vehicles and future main battle tanks. The manufacturing complex is executing the 'K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52-caliber tracked self-propelled Howitzer guns' programme. K9 Vajra contract involves delivery of 100 such systems in 42 months, which is the largest contract awarded to a private company by the Ministry of Defence.

L&T had signed a transfer of technology contract for guns with South Korean company Hanwha Corporation. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was also present at the inauguration Saturday.  

(With agency inputs)

HIGHLIGHTS

• L&T has set up Armoured Systems Complex at Hazira, 30km from Surat.
• The K9 Vajra contract involves delivery of 100 such systems in 42 months.
• It is largest contract awarded to a private company by Ministry of Defence.