Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav : PM Modi's Independence Day speech: Key highlights

On the occasion of India's 76th Independence Day, a home-grown howitzer gun was used for the first time as part of the 21-gun salute at Red Fort. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, said he is "proud" of the indigeneously developed howitzer gun. 

The 'Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System' (ATAGS) prototype has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Union Government's 'Make in India' initiative. 

The entirely made-in-India gun gave the 21-Gun salute along with the 25 Pounder British guns which have been traditionally fired till now. The ATAGS prototype has been developed by a team of scientists at DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).

The DRDO began the ATAGS project in 2013 to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155-millimetre artillery gun.