‘M-777 howitzer damaged during firing’

Last November, India signed a deal with the U.S. for 145 M-777 guns at a cost of $ 737 million

U.S. Soldiers with Task Force Iron maneuver an M-777 howitzer at Bost Airfield, Afghanistan. File photo

India’s first new artillery gun procurement in two decades, M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzer (ULH), suffered an accident early this month during field firing at Phokran, Army sources said on Tuesday

“A M-777 howitzer undergoing field firing at Pokharan field firing ranges had an accident on September 02. During the firing, the projectile which was fifth of the series, exited the barrel in multiple pieces, causing the accident,” an Army source said.

The gun manufactured by BAE Systems of the US was firing Indian ammunition and the field firing was being done for compilation of firing tables.

“The barrel of the gun has been damaged, extent of which is being assessed by Joint Investigation Team. There has been no injury to any person,” the source stated.

Further firing for compilation of firing tables shall recommence on analysis of the Joint Investigation Team which is presently on site, the source added.

Last November, India signed a deal with the U.S. under the Foreign Military Sales program for 145 M-777 guns at a cost of $ 737 million.

As part the agreement, two guns arrived in India in April for calibrating range tables and three more guns will arrive in September 2018 for training. Deliveries are slated to commence from March 2019 onwards at the rate of five guns per month and completed by mid-2021.

While 25 guns would be imported, the remaining 120 will be assembled in India by Mahindra group.