Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated Larsen & Toubro's (L&T) howitzer gun-manufacturing unit at Hazira in Surat. The L&T had in 2017 won a contract worth Rs 4,500 crore to supply 100 units of the K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled gun systems to the Indian Army. The contract was handed over to the company under the Centre's Make in India initiative.


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After the inaugural event, the PM also rode the K9 Vajra.



Tweeting about the event, PM Modi said: "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."



The L&T has set up the Armoured Systems Complex at its Hazira facility 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 facility is located around 30 km from Surat.


The Armoured Systems Complex is the first such facility in the country's private sector. 


The contract of K9 Vajra handed over to the L7T involves the delivery of 100 such systems in 42 months. This is the largest contract that has been awarded by the Ministry of Defence to a private company. The L&T had signed a transfer of technology contract for guns with South Korean company Hanwha Corporation.