Three major artillery gun systems inducted into Army
In a boost to the Indian Army’s firepower and capability enhancement, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inducted three major artillery gun systems, including the M777 A2 Ultra Light Howitzers, K-9 Vajra self-propelled gun and and a ‘Composite Gun Towing Vehicle’.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, held at Deolali Field Firing Ranges, the defence minister said many more such systems would be inducted in the Army in the next few years.
The 155mm, 39 calibre Ultra light Howitzers have been procured from USA under Government to Government Foreign Military Sales and will be assembled in India by BAE Systems in partnership with Mahindra Defence.
The Army will be getting 100 K9 Vajra and 145 M777 Howitzer guns in all over the next two years at a total cost of Rs. 4,366 crore and Rs. 5,000 crore respectively.
The gun system is versatile, light weight and can be heli-lifted, thereby providing the much needed flexibility in deployment in various terrains.
Their induction will give a “huge fillip” to the firepower capability of the Indian Army, especially on our western borders.
The 6×6 Field Artillery Tractor has been indigenously developed by Ashok Leyland and will provide the much awaited replacement for the ageing fleet of artillery gun towing vehicles. The induction of the gun systems also gives a major impetus to Make In India initiative of the government.
