In a boost to Army firepower, 3 artillery gun systems inducted
This is the first induction of artillery guns after Bofors.
Giving a boost to the artillery firepower the Indian Army inducted the US-manufactured M777 and the South Korean-designed K9 Vajra guns on Friday in Deolali Maharashtra.
This is the first induction of artillery guns after Bofors.
While three M777 Howitzers are part of the Army now, 10 K9 Vajra guns will be initially inducted.
In all 145 Howitzers and 100 Vajra artillery guns will be inducted over the years.
The ultra-light guns were used by the US forces in Afghanistan.
The M777 could be a game changer for the Indian Army owing to its light weight. These can be airlifted and be stationed in high mountainous regions on the China border where transporting artillery guns has been a challenge due to poor road conditions and tough terrain.
The Bofors gun can be transported by trucks to the Pakistan border. But that's not the case with China border as the heavy gun cannot be transported there due to poor road connectivity leaving critical gaps.
"The Howitzer is light, can be dismantled and airlifted to high mountainous regions unlike the Bofors," said an Army source.
While 25 will be procured directly the rest will be assembled in India.
Larsen and Toubro will be assembling 100 K-9 Vajra tracked self-propelled guns in partnership with a South Korean firm. While first 10 guns will be delivered this month the induction should be complete by 2020.
The gun has a maximum range of 28-38 km. It is capable of burst firing three rounds in 30 seconds, an intense firing of 15 rounds in three minutes and sustained firing of 60 rounds in 60 minutes.