Larsen and Toubro, India's multinational engineering conglomerate and private sector defence major, and Hanwha Techwin (HTW) of South Korea, today signed a contract for execution of the 155mm/ 52 Cal Tracked Self Propelled (SP) Gun program for the Indian Army.

LET was declared as the sole qualified bidder, post User Evaluation Trials, based on the performance of the K9 VAJRA-T, a world class self-propelled howitzer appropriately customised and fielded by LET with HTW as the technology partner. The K9 VAJRA-T gun is an enhanced version of HTW's K9 Thunder, to suit specific requirements of the Indian Army including desert operations. HTW's K9 Thunder is one of the best performing self-propelled howitzers in the world with over 1,000 numbers already in service in Korea and few other countries. This program has set new benchmarks in co-development and co-production of Defence Systems by Indian Private Sector Defence Players and Foreign Majors.

The contract is a result of nearly a decade long close relationship and joint efforts of the two companies on this program, through extensive user evaluation and field trials followed by contract negotiations with the Indian Ministry of Defence.

Jayant Patil, Head of Defence and Aerospace and Member of Heavy Engineering Board at LET, said, "This contract marks an important milestone in Lars Defence Business journey and in our relationship with Hanwha Techwin. It will create synergies not only for this program but also for upcoming Indian and global programs. This also marks a giant step forward towards furthering the "Make in India" vision of the Government of India. LET plans to begin production of this vital weapon system at its Strategic Systems Complex at Talegaon near Pune in Maharashtra and deliver the first batch of 10 guns. LET also has initiated setting up of a greenfield manufacturing line at Hazira, Gujarat, integral with a state-of-the-art test track, to produce, test and qualify the K9 VAJRA-T guns."

Shares of the company gained Rs 6.45, or 0.38%, to trade at Rs 1,687.50. The total volume of shares traded was 15,760 at the BSE (10.25 a.m., Friday).