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Army fire power gets booster shot
News:
- The Army recently inducted M777 Ultra Light Howitzers, K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery gun, common gun tower giving a boost to the defence capabilities.
Important Facts:
- About M777 Ultra Light Howitzers:
- This is the first artillery gun systems in three decades after the Bofors guns procured from Sweden in the early 1980s.
- These are procured from the U.S. The M777 is a 155-mm, 39-calibre towed artillery gun. It weighs just four tonnes, making it transportable underslung from helicopters.
- The M777 brings a new level of capability to the artillery unit by offering rapid deployment and extreme accuracy.
- Howitzer deal with U.S. : India signed a $737-million deal with the U.S. in November 2016 under the Foreign Military Sales Programme for 145 M777 Ultra Light Howitzers.
- Twenty-five guns will be imported and the rest will be assembled in India in partnership with an indigenous company (Mahindra Group). Deliveries will be completed by mid-2021.
- About K9 Vajra-T :
- The K9 Vajra-T is a 155-mm, 52-calibre self-propelled gun with a maximum range of 40 km.
- It has been customised from the original K9 Thunder.
- Its fire control system has been customised for desert conditions.
- Under the agreement, the first 10 guns will be imported from South Korea and the rest will be indigenously made and 100 guns will be delivered by November 2020.
- About common gun tower:
- It is a 6×6 vehicle with cross-country capability.
- Produced indigenously it is required to tow the medium guns.
