Manufactured in India, 105mm Indian Field Guns were used for the 21-Gun Salute at Kartavya Path today during the Republic Day 2023 Parade. On the occasion of the 74th Republic Day of India, for the first time ever, British-made 25-pounder guns were replaced by indigenous artillery and equipment. As per tradition, after the National Flag was unfurled by the President and the National Anthem, a booming 21-gun salute was given. Echoes of the shots were heard throughout the Kartavya Path.
News agency ANI posted a minute-long video on Twitter with the caption that read, "#WATCH | 105mm field gun has been used for the 21-gun salute for the first time at the #RepublicDay parade this year. The Indian guns have replaced the British 25-pounder guns."
In the one-minute-long video, we can see soldiers firing the 105mm Indian Field Guns one after the other. Right after firing, a soldier is removing the shell of the shot from the gun and at the same time, another soldier walks up behind him to reload the gun to be fired again.
Notably, the 21-gun salute is conducted by a specifically-designed cartridge or a blank round which is used to create the sound of firing as opposed to actual shells being fired.
The parade commenced with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute from the Gallantry award winners.
Republic Day 2023 Celebrations
President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in celebrating the 74th Republic Day from Kartavya Path, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as the Chief Guest.
Building on last year's "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav" celebrations, this year's celebrations included patriotic fervour and community participation, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(With inputs from ANI)