Guns Finally Boom

NEW DELHI. On 9th of November 2018 in a special ceremony held at School of Artillery,

- LT Gen BS PAWR(Retd)

Devlali field firing ranges, the long-awaited M777 A2 Ultra Light Howitzer (ULH) and the K9 Vajra Tracked Self- Propelled Gun System were formally inducted into the Indian Army. Also showcased on this occasion was the new state-of-the-art indigenously produced 6x6 Field Artillery Tractor (FAT), which is an integral part of the towed artillery systems.

The induction ceremony was attended by the Defence Minister, the Army Chief, Representatives of the Manufacturing Industries and Dignitaries from the US and Republic of Korea. It was indeed a red letter day for the Indian Artillery, for after nearly two decades of stagnation in its modernisation and transformation plans there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. In fact the prospects for the induction of approximately 3,000 modern artillery howitzers of the 155mm/52 calibre finally look bright. The success of the indigenously developed 155mm 45 calibre Dhanush gun (upgraded version of the Bofors) and reports of the indigenously developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) achieving 40 km plus range during test firing last year, are indeed encouraging signs and auger well for the Artillery Modernisation Process as well as indigenous capability for developing state-of-the-art howitzer systems.

At the same time there has also been a significant progress in the Artillery’s surveillance, target acquisition and retaliatory capabilities along with great strides being made in the field of rockets and missiles. However, a major concern remains in terms of the sordid state of ammunition, both in quantity and quality, without which even the most advanced gun systems would remain mere showpieces. This aspect was amply highlighted by the CAG in its report released last year. The recent decision of the Government to partially open ammunition manufacturing to the private industry is a step in the right direction and needs to be pursued on priority.