NewsBytes

Rs 7000 crore artillery gun order for Army

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a deal to procure advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS) for the Indian Army at a cost of Rs 7,000 crore – the first step in indigenous manufacturing of such guns. The ATAGS is the first indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured 155 mm artillery gun system and its procurement is set to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Army.

The gun system features a long 52-calibre barrel, allowing for extended strike range of up to 45 km. The long 52-calibre barrel, allows for extended firing ranges.

Due to larger calibre, the system ensures higher lethality, delivering increased explosive payloads while enabling automated deployment, target engagement, and reduced crew fatigue. ATAGS has been developed through collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian private industry partners. Over 65 per cent of its components are sourced domestically, including key subsystems such as the barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism, firing and recoil system, and ammunition handling mechanism, the sources said.

The induction of ATAGS is expected to play a crucial role in modernisation of the Indian Army's artillery by replacing outdated 105 mm and 130 mm guns.

Saliva ban lifted in IPL

The BCCI on Thursday lifted the ban on use of saliva on the ball in the upcoming Indian Premier League after a majority of captains agreed to its proposal, making it the first major cricket competition to do away with the restriction that was a consequence of Covid-19.

The decision was taken at the captains' meeting in Mumbai ahead of the league starting on Saturday.

“The saliva ban has been lifted. Majority of captains were in favour of the move. Some had reservations about the re-introduction, some sat on the fence but majority of them supported the move,” a top BCCI official said.

With the development on Thursday, the IPL became the first major cricketing event to re-introduce saliva's use after the pandemic. Now that the ban is revoked in the IPL, the ICC too might review its stance on the subject.

On the sidelines of the ICC Champions Trophy, senior India pacer Mohammed Shami had spoken about the need to use saliva on the ball in what has become a predominantly batters’ game. The likes of Vernon Philander and Tim Southee had backed Shami's call. “We keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game and it becomes interesting,” Shami had said during the 50-over event in Dubai. Also on the agenda of captains’ meeting was the contentious Impact Player rule which the BCCI had already extended till at least 2027.

Height, off-side wides extended

The BCCI also approved the use of DRS for height wides and wides outside the off-stump. “Hawk eye and ball tracking will be used to decide on the height wides and wides outside the off-stump,” the official added.

It was also decided that one ball will be changed in the second innings of an evening game after the 11th over due to dew.

Boxing included in LA 2028 Games

Costa Navarino: Boxing was on Thursday included in the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) member states unanimously voted for it during the governing body's 144th session here. When IOC president Thomas Bach asked for a show of hands from all in favour of boxing's inclusion in the LA Games all the members duly obliged with no one abstaining or voting against. “I thank you for the approval of having boxing back in the Olympic programme. We can look forward to a great boxing tournament,” Bach said. The IOC had suspended the IBA following long-running disputes over governance.