Indian Army test-fires Excalibur ammunition in Pokhran, ammo can penetrate thick slabs of concrete

The Indian Army has successfully test-fired the latest addition to its arsenal — the Excalibur precision-guided ammunition from the US-acquired M-777 artillery howitzers in Rajasthan's Pokhran.

600 rounds of Excalibur ammunition was procured in an immediate basis by the Indian Army from the United States in October after an ammunition shortage in the armed forces was reported. According to Indian Army sources, the Excalibur ammunition can penetrate 8-10 inches thick concrete walls and reduces the chances of collateral damage when used against the enemy.

Pictures of impact of Excalibur ammunition on targets today. The holes on rooftop show concrete penetration capability of the ammunition which can be fired only from M-777 howitzers. The ammunition was fired at both concrete and sand bunkers. (Image source: Indian Army sources) https://t.co/XkM13jitXS pic.twitter.com/d9LnKxuBe4

— ANI (@ANI) December 10, 2019

Pictures from after the firing explicitly show the impact of Excalibur ammunition on targets. The holes on the rooftop show that the ammunition, which can only be fired from the M-777 howitzers, can penetrate the concrete to a large extent.

Today @adgpi conducted test-firing of the newly acquired U.S. Excalibur precision guided munitions at Pokhran…a new capability that will integrate with the U.S.-origin M777 Ultralight Howitzer. #PartnersInDefense #USIndiaDefense pic.twitter.com/VNXgHHZX7d

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 9, 2019

The test-fire was done on both concrete and sand bunkers.