Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman inducts 3 major artillery gun systems into Army

The three major artillery gun systems included the M777 American Ultra Light Howitzers and the K-9 Vajra.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman Friday 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.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and others pose for a group photograph during a ceremony at Deolali artillery centre, in Nashik district on November 9. (PTI Photo)

The induction ceremony here comes ahead of establishing the first regiment- each comprising of about 18 guns- of the M777s and the Vajra by around mid next year, an official said.

For procuring 145 M777s, India in November 2016 had entered into a contract with the United States under the Foreign Military Sales programme for ₹5,070 crore.

The M777s, which have been used in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, can be easily transported to high altitude areas by helicopters.