. NEW DELHI: India and South Korea have agreed to broaden their defence partnership during the bilateral talks between PM Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday, as the two countries have planned for the third phase of cooperation that will emphasise greater technology transfer, co-development and joint design of advanced military systems.The two sides already co-manufacture the K9 Vajra, a specialised artillery gun, and now plan to extend the same manufacturing model to futuristic technologies.Addressing a media briefing in Delhi, MEA secretary (East) P Kumaran said on Monday, “Korea supplies K9 Vajra systems, anti-aircraft systems. There are already two phases of supplies that have happened. We’re looking at the third phase, which involves a greater technology transfer. We’re also looking at other kinds of anti-aircraft guns and missile systems.”The K9 Vajra-T is a 155 mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer that forms a key component of the Indian Army’s modern artillery capability. Manufactured in India by Larsen & Toubro with technology transferred from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, the system is based on the widely used K9 Thunder platform.Equipped with a 155mm/52 calibre gun mounted on a 50-tonne chassis with all-welded steel armour up to 19 mm thick, K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers can fire 47 kg shells at distances of up to around 50 km. The Army has successfully deployed K9 Vajra-T in high-altitude, mountainous terrain, specifically in Ladakh and the northeastern border. These 155mm/52-calibre tracked guns were originally designed for desert warfare but after successful trials in 2021, are now operationalised in hilly areas to enhance long-range, rapid-deployment firepower.Kumaran said, “The earlier two phases of cooperation were primarily oriented towards direct acquisitions and progressive localisation, but Phase III will take the relationship even further with advanced manufacturing and technology transfer.”“Co-development and technology transfer, co-design, etc of next-generation defence systems are some other areas where we want to explore cooperation. Then there are possibilities of co-operation on procurement of defence hardware, telecom equipment, cyber security…,” he said.While the production of artillery weapons systems such as the K9 Vajra has been the highlight of this joint venture, there are ongoing talks on developing air defence systems, which include both anti-aircraft guns as well as missile platforms to tackle new aerial threats such as drones.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAllahabad HC Judge Recuses Himself From Rahul Gandhi’s Dual Citizenship CaseCong Submits Breach of Privilege Against PM Modi; Trump Pushes Iran Talks Amid Ceasefire TensionsIndian Army Sends Strong Warning to Terror Groups Ahead of Pahalgam Terror Attack AnniversaryPappu Yadav Faces Notice After Claiming 90% Women Need ‘Leaders’ Bedrooms’ To Enter PoliticsNida Khan Faces Arrest After Nashik Court Rejects Interim Bail In BPO CaseBJP Leader Nazia Elahi Khan Applies Tilak At Lenskart Store Amid Dress Code RowSupreme Court Raises Alarm Over Digital Arrest Scams, ₹2.5 Cr Fraud Case HighlightedKashmir On Alert As SOG Carries Out Search Ops Before Pahalgam AnniversaryGun, Kirpans, Pepper Spray: Clash Inside Germany Gurdwara Leaves 11 WoundedIndia, Korea Discuss Global Tensions, Stress Peace, Security And Stronger Multilateral Cooperation123PhotostoriesExclusive – Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actors Kuldeep Gor and Dharti Bhatt, aka Ratan and Roopa on their new saree shop, their bond with the cast, and a special gift for Daya Bhabhi5 largest birds in the world worth travelling forDo you unconsciously ‘insult’ your child? 5 mistakes that can ruin their mental health5 places that are perfect to visit in MayAnushka Sharma-inspired simple kurta looks perfect for summer 2026Animals you might see in your backyard in AustraliaA dazzling night in Chandigarh over good food and even better mood7 baby names that mean love and affectionWorld’s top 5 most expensive real estate markets10 habits that instantly make you attractive, as per psychology123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingUK School New RulesZohran MandaniIran MilitaryUber Driver CaseIndian Activist stabbedAdam SandlerJKBOSE class 10 result 2026Ai ScamIPL Orange CapUK Electricity Price
NEW DELHI: India and South Korea have agreed to broaden their defence partnership during the bilateral talks between PM Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday, as the two countries have planned for the third phase of cooperation that will emphasise greater technology transfer, co-development and joint design of advanced military systems.The two sides already co-manufacture the K9 Vajra, a specialised artillery gun, and now plan to extend the same manufacturing model to futuristic technologies.Addressing a media briefing in Delhi, MEA secretary (East) P Kumaran said on Monday, “Korea supplies K9 Vajra systems, anti-aircraft systems. There are already two phases of supplies that have happened. We’re looking at the third phase, which involves a greater technology transfer. We’re also looking at other kinds of anti-aircraft guns and missile systems.”The K9 Vajra-T is a 155 mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer that forms a key component of the Indian Army’s modern artillery capability. Manufactured in India by Larsen & Toubro with technology transferred from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, the system is based on the widely used K9 Thunder platform.Equipped with a 155mm/52 calibre gun mounted on a 50-tonne chassis with all-welded steel armour up to 19 mm thick, K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers can fire 47 kg shells at distances of up to around 50 km. The Army has successfully deployed K9 Vajra-T in high-altitude, mountainous terrain, specifically in Ladakh and the northeastern border. These 155mm/52-calibre tracked guns were originally designed for desert warfare but after successful trials in 2021, are now operationalised in hilly areas to enhance long-range, rapid-deployment firepower.Kumaran said, “The earlier two phases of cooperation were primarily oriented towards direct acquisitions and progressive localisation, but Phase III will take the relationship even further with advanced manufacturing and technology transfer.”“Co-development and technology transfer, co-design, etc of next-generation defence systems are some other areas where we want to explore cooperation. Then there are possibilities of co-operation on procurement of defence hardware, telecom equipment, cyber security…,” he said.While the production of artillery weapons systems such as the K9 Vajra has been the highlight of this joint venture, there are ongoing talks on developing air defence systems, which include both anti-aircraft guns as well as missile platforms to tackle new aerial threats such as drones.
