Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inducted into the Army three major artillery gun systems — the M777 A2 ultra light howitzers, K-9 Vajra self-propelled gun and the 6×6 field artillery tractor. PTI
Triple boost to firepower
- 155mm, 39 calibre howitzers have been procured from the US under government-to-government foreign military sales
- Will be assembled in India by BAE Systems in partnership with Mahindra Defence
- Is versatile, light weight and can be heli-lifted; has proven mettle in Afghanistan, Iraq
K-9 Vajra self-propelled gun
- First 10 of 155mm/52 calibre guns imported from S Korea in semi-knocked down state; assembled by L&T in India
- Remaining 90 will be made in India; with some assemblies coming from S Korea
- Induction will give huge fillip to the firepower capability of Army on western front
6×6 Field Artillery Tractor
Indigenously developed by Ashok Leyland, the artillery tractors will provide the much awaited replacement for the ageing fleet of artillery gun towing vehicles