Military & Aerospace

Artillery Modernisation
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Issue Vol. 29.2 Apr-Jun 2014 | Date : 04 Jun , 2015

Bofors

Artillery modernisation in India implies the largest modernisation of this arm and needs to be given as much, if not more, importance commensurate with the manoeuvre arms it supports. The relevance is more in the Indian context because of the mountainous terrain where it needs to support infantry operations plus in counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations. Unquestionably, artillery units will continue to be used to support the infantry to the benefit of all. It is precisely in these sorts of operation that the new precision of artillery will become more telling and relevant. India has a long way to go in modernising its artillery. Presently, the artillery modernisation plan appears to be stymied. There is an urgent need to provide it an impetus considering the enhanced threat posed to us along a two and a half front.

In Kargil conflict where 100 Bofors guns broke the back of well-entrenched Pakistani forces on high mountain peaks.

The importance of artillery in battle needs no emphasis. What the artillery can achieve in contact battle has been highlighted in the two world wars and more recently, nearer home during the Kargil conflict where 100 Bofors guns broke the back of well-entrenched Pakistani forces on high mountain peaks. But the latter also highlighted woes of the crying need for modernisation of our artillery. Fortunately, India had imported 400 pieces of this excellent gun before the firm was banned. Despite the Rs 60 crore Bofors scam and the freeze on spare parts, India’s holdings could be cannibalised to give the enemy a bloody nose.

No worthwhile modernisation has taken place since then though the artillery is in the process of procuring and developing gun systems, ammunition (including propellants and fuzes), support systems and networking systems in terms of software and hardware which incorporate state-of-the-art technology. Ironically, though Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the Bofors gun had taken place right at the beginning, the indigenous version is being developed now after a gap of two decades.

Concept of Firepower

Although artillery was reportedly used in the Battle of Plassey (1757) and the Regiment traces its origins to the Bombay Artillery formed in 1827, artillery has actually traversed through two centuries of evolution. In recent times, a distinct shift in concept of application from neutralisation to degradation and destruction has taken place. This shift has come about with the enhanced capability of the artillery in terms of reach, delivery of larger calibre and more lethal munitions, enhanced precision system as also greater battlefield transparency. With these enhancements, the artillery is able to strike deep with precision and thus has the capability to degrade and destroy targets effectively. The reach of the artillery is now clearly beyond the tactical battlefield, well into the operational depth with enhanced precision and lethality.

The reach of the artillery is now clearly beyond the tactical battlefield…

Transformation Vision

The vision for transformation of the artillery includes modernisation of all guns for contact battle, rockets and missiles for degradation and engagement of targets in operational depth, enhanced target acquisition and battlefield transparency through introduction of cutting edge ground, aerial and space-based sensors and integrated and synergised utilisation of firepower and Surveillance And Target Acquisition (SATA) through automated systems – Artillery Command, Control and Communication System (ACCCS), Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS) and Battlefield Management System (BMS).

Procurements

Hardly any artillery guns have been procured since 1980s. The stock of Bofors guns has also dwindled from the 400 imported to below 200. Presently, the artillery inventory is grossly inadequate, both in terms of quantity and quality. The Russian 122mm D30 towed Howitzer has gone obsolete already. The 105mm Indian Field Gun (IFG) of 17-km range has been operational for the past 30 years and there are some 200 cannibalised Bofors guns in the kitty. The modernisation plan has factored in the latest technological developments and is aligned towards the acquisition of modern equipment. To say that there have been slippages in procurement would actually be an understatement but efforts are on to meet the revised timelines. Besides modernisation through procurement of state-of-the-art weapon systems, the army is also working on bolstering its inventory control through indigenous development of gun systems and munitions, aimed at opening up multiple avenues for intake of modern equipment.

M-46 Field Gun

One hundred and eighty pieces of 130mm/39-calibre M-46 Russian guns have been upgraded to 155mm/45-calibre by Soltam of Israel. The Army had successfully tried and selected BAE Systems M-777 ultra light artillery guns from the US more than a year ago, including the ‘maintainability evaluation trial’ on behest of the MoD but procurement has been delayed over an anonymous letter alleging bribes. This is a malady that time and again has set back procurements by not only months and years. Many a time it has resulted in the cancellation of a deal with the present Defence Minister’s penchant to cancel deals at the drop of a hat rather than permit the much-needed modernisation and punish those against whom the charge of bribery has been levelled and proved. The practice in foreign countries is not blacklisting but punishing individuals involved and imposing severe financial penalties on the company so that acquisitions and modernisation of the armed forces does not suffer.

M777 Howitzer

Incidentally, with the planned shutdown of the M777 facility of BAE Systems in the near future and the stalemate in India, the deal may be off altogether. This may have been at the behest of OFB-DRDO in light of development of the indigenous 155mm gun but cancellation of the M777 deal would imply setting back modernisation plans of the artillery by yet another few years.

Presently, the artillery inventory is grossly inadequate, both in terms of quantity and quality…

Additionally during 2012, tenders had been floated for 1,580 towed guns of 155mm/52-calibre, 100 tracked guns of 155mm/52-calibre and 180 wheeled and Self Propelled guns of 155mm/52-calibre but the deal for procurement of 180x155mm/52-calibre wheeled Self Propelled (SP) guns was also cancelled after completion of trials though the wheeled Self-Propelled gun is ideally suited for the plains and the semi-desert terrain. The only significant advancement in gun acquisition has been the upgrade of 180 pieces of 130mm/39-calibre M46 Russian guns to 155mm/45-calibre (enhancing the range from 26 to 39 kms) by Soltam of Israel.

The plan to upgrade 480 of these guns again was halted with Soltam getting blacklisted after upgrading 180 pieces. The Mountain Strike Corps, approved and to be raised over the next seven years, would need fielding of requisite artillery coinciding with the progress of its raising.

The Indigenous 155mm Gun

As mentioned above, the Transfer of Technology of the Bofors was available with the OFB. However, the Bofors was not indigenised with the OFB blaming the army for not forwarding such a demand, which by itself does not stand to logic as numerous developments have been done in the past by the DRDO and OFB without prior reference to the armed forces. However, reportedly the technology was being utilised for the production of spare barrels, breech block and certain other critical parts of the gun. The technology was also utilised for production of ammunition.

With a view to open an alternative avenue for procurement of the 155mm gun system, OFB has, in recent times, been given the opportunity to develop the gun indigenously in keeping with the long term aim of achieving self-reliance. The private sector is being extensively urged to source components and sub-systems for this. The initial trials had caused barrel bursts during firing but improved metallurgy should help get over the problem. In the long term, it should be possible to meet the 155mm gun requirements indigenously.

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5 thoughts on “Artillery Modernisation

  1. Majority of high ranking defense officers still think about artillery guns, Mortar, Hand Grenade and assault rifle with foot soldiers. The fact is that they do not know what is happening in the world. as well as our past experience in 1971 war. How many people will be able to tell how Israel won the 1973 Israel against Arab ?. How many army officers made a plan to recapture the lost territory to Pakistan during 1971 war? M-777 is a good gun like Bofors. But it cannot move on its own like Bofors. The gun has to be relocated very frequently to escape from the weapon locating radar of the enemy and subsequent enemy fire. The weapon locating radar is very effective. Pakistan had effectively used it in the Kargil war against Indian foot soldiers. The Army Chief General J .J. Singh has not taken the right decision to go in for M-777. I wonder how he missed the vital point I mentioned. It is unfortunate that these senior Army officers have no war strategy and are carried away by arms dealers. Where as general public are aware that USA supplied Weapon locating radars to Pakistan to counter 155 mm gun. At that time the only way to save the gun from enemy attack is to change location Immediately after some firing. So we found Bofors gun is suitable than French Guns. M-777 gun is lighter than Bofors gun .But it is like French guns. This is not modernization. Better Fire power and accuracy can be achieved by missiles. We have varieties of missiles. Only thing is that Army should no how to use it ( When and Where).

  2. THE DHANUSH HAS PROVED ITSELF IN THE PLAINS , IN SIKKIM . IT MUST NOW BE USED AS THE TOWED , MOUNTED ON TATRA OR TATA TUCKS , WITH WHEELED VERSIONS AND TRACKED MOUNTED ON THE ARJUN CHASIS . NOW IS THE TIME FOR ARDE , ORDNANCE FACTORIES, GUN CARRIAGE FACTORY AT KANPUR TO JOIN HANDS WITH TATA , L$T, BHARAT FORGE , KALYANI , FORCE MOTORS , MAHINDRAS AND PUNJLYOD TO MANUFACTURE THE ENTIRE REQUIREMENT IN INDIA WITH INDIAN COMPANIES JOINING HAND WITH MARGINAL CONSULTATION WITH THE BAE , GERMANS OR FRENCH AND PRODUCING THE GUNS WORTH 100000 CRORES IN INDIA WHERE INDIAN INDUSTRY BECOMES WORLD CLASS AND THOUSANDS OF JOBS ARE CREATED IN INDIA .THE 155MM 52 CALIBRE CAN FOLLOW ONCE DESIGNED , PROVEN AND TESTED . THE ARMY MUST CLEAR THE ROADBLOCKS AND NOT LAY ANY FURTHER STRINGENT QR OR REQUIREMENT FOR THE DHANUSH .,THE GUN NEEDS TO BE MASS PRODUCED AND NOT 114IN NOS CONURRENT IMPROVEMENT , REDUCE WEIGHT AND INCREASE IN RANGE CAN BE SAUGHT WITH COLLABORATIONS

  3. The thirty year delay shows the Indian army , Mod and Pmo in poor light in how not to manage defence affairs. THE MANTRI BABU , BUSINESSMEN COMBINE HAVE LEFT A VOID IN INDIAS DEFENCES AND OFFENSIVE FORMATIONS GIVING A CHANCE TO A BELLIGERANT PAKISTAN TO EXPLOIT THE WEAKNESS AND KILL INDIAN SOLDERS IN PEACETIME WTH ITS THOUSAND CUTS POLICY . IF ONLY THE 155 MM HOWITZERS WERE INDUCTED IN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME EACH INFRINGEMENT OF PAKISTAN BORDER FIRING SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPULSED WITH A BARRAGE FROM THESE HEAVY GUNS TO SEEK AND DESTROY THE PAK POSTS WHICH ENCOURAGE INFILTERATION OF TERRORISTS AND WHEN PAK ARMY ELITE OFFICERS BODY BAGS WOULD HAVE GONE HOME , PEACE WOULD HAVE PREVAILED . PAKISTANI SYMPATHISERS IN INDIAN ESTABLISHMENTS OF DECISION MAKING HAVE ENSURED NO INDUCTION OF THESE GUNS AND THE ARMY HANDICAPPED IN RETALIATION TO THE PROVOCATIONS AND WAR MONGERING FROM PAKISTAN . THE NATION WATCHES IN HORROR AS BSF , ARMY SOLDERS DEAD COME IN BODY BAGS BUT WHO CARES AS THEY ARE NEITHER THE SONS OF THE POLITCANS THE BABUS OF IAS , IFS OR IPS OR BUSINESSMEN . THESE ARE THE POOR SONS FROM SMALL TOWNS AND VILLAGES WHERE PEOPLE SURVIVE WITH LESS THAN 2 DOLLARS A DAY

  4. Role of artillery gun can not be undermined, and utility of 155mm Bofors gun has been proved beyond doubts in Kargil war. As far as its its indigenous availability is concerned, OFB is capable of producing and delivering 155mm gun provided firm indent is placed on OFB by procurement agency in MoD. In addition, Tata and Bharat Forge are also gearing up their capabilities to produce 155 mm gun. So there is no dearth of indigenous supplier for supply of 155 mm gun. It only requires firm commitment and action from procurement agencies for acquisition of this weapon.

  5. This is an interesting article on the Modernisation of Artillery in the Indian Armed Forces. While the developed countries have made enormous advancements in upgrading their Artillery weapon systems, and introducing state-of-the-art Artillery equipment into their Armed Forces, there is a visible lack of urgency in our Country. Notwithstanding the causes of such inertia, the Country will have to pay a dear price when the chips are down as we seem inadequately prepared for battle. There is an urgent need for the Country to rise above politicking and give an impetus to the procurement process for Artillery weapon systems, if we have to give a good account of our Military prowess. It is clear that the induction of indigenous weapon systems can never fulfill the stark gap in our requirement of Artillery weapon systems, nor can it compete with state-of-the-art imported equipment pieces that are essential to take on a better prepared Army.

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