NEW DELHI, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- Indian defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inducted new artillery guns and equipment into the army, officials said.
The induction was done at Deolali artillery centre in Nashik district of western Indian state of Maharashtra.
"Nirmala Sitharaman today presided over the induction of the K-9 Vajra T, M777 Ultra Light Howitzer and High Mobility 6×6 Gun Towing Vehicle into the Indian army," a defense spokesman said.
"Minister of State for defense Subhash Bhamre and Indian army chief General Bipin Rawat was also present during the function."
Officials said the defense minister interacted with officers at the induction ceremony of new state-of-the-art gun systems into the army and talked about how these would impact preparedness.
"For the first time two state-of-the-art gun systems have been inducted at the same time," the spokesman said.
Officials said the K9 Vajra, 155mm 52 Calibre Tracked Gun, was procured from South Korea and is not a hybrid between a tank and a gun barrel but designed as a self propelled gun. However, the 155 mm M777 Ultra Light Howitzers were procured from the U.S. government.
"Ten K9 Vajra guns were assembled in India and ninety will be manufactured here," the spokesman said. " Twenty five Howitzers guns are coming in while 120 being assembled and integrated in India. They can be air-lifted to areas devoid of roads and tracks."
Meanwhile, a third equipment -- the Common Gun Tower is a 6x6 vehicle with cross country capability.
