New Delhi. When the Supreme Commander hoists the flag in the Republic Day celebrations, a salute of 21 guns is given. Seven cannons fire 21 rounds for 52 seconds of the national anthem, but this year the echo of 21 cannons will not be given by British guns but by indigenous cannons. This year the indigenous 105 mm Indian field gun will replace the new duty path British 25-pounder. Delhi Area Chief of Staff Major General Bhavnish Kumar said that this year the indigenous strength of the Indian Army will be presented on the path of duty.
If we talk about this British 25-pounder gun, then this gun was used tremendously against Pakistan in 1947, 1965, and 1971 and it also played an important role in the 1962 war against China. Even during the Second World War, this gun had handled a tremendous front. In the early 90s, this gun was retired from the army and was replaced by the indigenous 105 Mm Indian Field Gun. This gun got its name because of the weight of its 25-pounder shell. That is, the shell fired from this 88 mm caliber cannon weighs 25 pounds.
After retiring after serving in the Indian Army, one of its units has been used as a ceremonial gun. Apart from Republic Day, August 15, this gun is used in honor of national presidents of other countries during their visits to India. On August 15, 2022, when the flag was being hoisted on the ramparts of the Red Fort, the ancient British 25-pounder gun fired twenty rounds and fired one round for the last time in a salute of twenty-one guns.
Glimpses of indigenous strength will be seen on the path of duty
The reason behind this was that the echo of our indigenous strength should be heard by the world through the path of duty. Now in this Republic Day celebration also, our own indigenous cannons will give a salute of twenty-one cannons. According to Delhi Area Chief of Staff Major General Bhavnish Kumar, all the weapons of the Indian Army that will be displayed on duty this year have been prepared in India only. These will include Arjun Tank, Nag Missile, BMP-2, K-9 Vajra, Short Spam Bridge, Army Air Defense Akash Missile, three Rudras, and Dhruv of Army Aviation Corps.