Defense Minister inducts 3 major artillery gun systems, including M777
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today inducted three major artillery gun systems, including the M777 American Ultra Light Howitzers and the K-9 Vajra, into the Army. The third gun system inducted is the 'Composite Gun Towing Vehicle' for towing some of the existing guns in service with the country, while K-9 Vajra is a self-propelled artillery gun. The induction ceremony was conducted in Deolali, Maharashtra.
M777s have been used in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan
This comes ahead of establishing the first regiment- each comprising about 18 guns-M777s and Vajra-by around mid-2019, an official said. For procuring 145 M777s, India, in 2016, had entered into a contract with US under Foreign Military Sales program for Rs. 5,070cr. The M777s, which have been used in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, can be easily transported to high altitude areas by helicopters.
