As reported on 19 MAY 2017 in my post "FIRST TWO M777 ULTRA LIGHT HOWITZERS REACHED INDIA" (LINK) two 155mm/39 cal M777 howitzers were delivered to India on 18 May for firing trials.
These two guns were undergoing firing trials in the firing range at Pokhran Rajasthan. The firing trials were being done to establish the firing & range tables which are required for operating the howitzers. With these tables only the operate is able to judge the firing range in varying conditions and with varying parameters.
It is being reported that during the firing trials on 2 September when the gun was firing Indian Ammunition, the barrel of one of the gun exploded. No one operating the gun was injured in the accident but the barrel of the gun has been damaged in the same.
Army has ordered 145 M7777 howitzers at the price of 5000 crore INR(link). Each gun approximately costs 35 crore RS.A set up inquiry has been established to find the source of the accident and after it is completed the firing trials will continue.
According to sources the shell came out of the barrel in fragments and causing this accident so from the look of it, it seems to be an ammunition related accident. One similar accident also happened few years ago during trials of homegrown Dhanush howitzer where the barrel exploded and it was concluded that the explosion was caused due to use of very old ammunition which lead to the explosion of barrel.
It is a sign of relief that nobody was injured in the accident and if the ammunition turns out to be the cause of accident it would again raise questions on the quality control of OFB factories.
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