India and South Korea expand defence cooperation to include missile and air defence systems

Key facts

• India and South Korea are expanding defence cooperation to include air defence guns, missile systems, and advanced military platforms following the success of the K9 Vajra-T programme.
• The K9 Vajra-T is an Indian adaptation of the South Korean K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzer and is considered a successful model for future defence technologies.
• The Indian Army is reportedly planning to procure up to 300 additional K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers under a major artillery acquisition programme.
• Both nations agreed in April to launch the Korea-India Defence Accelerator (KIND-X), an innovation platform connecting businesses, defence start-ups, incubators, investors, and universities.
• South Korean Ambassador to India Lee Seong-ho stated that the partnership is moving into a third stage of collaboration to replicate the success of the K9 Vajra in other defence sectors.