In what may come as an embarrassment to the Indian government, the barrel of a newly acquired M777 Howitzer gun burst during a test in Pokharan on Tuesday. The defence ministry has ordered an enquiry.
Acquisition of M777 Howitzer was pitched as a prized defence deal between India and US. The deal was signed earlier this year. Guns were cleared for induction into the Indian armed forces after clearing one round of field tests in June.
India had placed an order to purchase 145 guns at an estimated cost of Rs 30 cr. The gun was the first howitzer that the country had received in over two decades.
The incident happened during firing trials on 2 September. All tests have been put on hold until further orders. Luckily, no one was injured in the firing.
