A new indigenous howitzer will be used to render the 21-gun salute during the Independence Day celebrations Red Fort
It is developed by DRDO
Only British guns (Ordnance QF 25-pounder) were used during the annual celebrations of nationhood
But this year, the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) will be part of the ceremony
Bharat Forge Ltd and Tata Advanced Systems Ltd have been entrusted with the responsibility of manufacturing
DRDO started the project in 2013 to replace the existing guns, 130mm M-46 Russian Gun and FH77B Swedish Bofors, with ATAGS
Unlike other guns that can fire only three rounds per minute, the new ATAGS howitzer is capable of burst firing five rounds per minute
The firing range of the new heavy artillery gun is 45 km
The maximum speed of the howitzer is 80-100 per hour when towed, and 18 km per hour without a tow
The artillery can be easily carried in the mountains as it weighs only 18 tonnes