After forward deploying howitzers, missiles, rocket systems and loiter munitions along the China frontier, India is now stepping up induction of more long-range, high-volume precision firepower that can prove decisive in battles as well as expanding its indigenous ammunition vendor base to counter global supply chain disruptions.
With lessons being learnt from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, in which 80% of the casualties have been due to artillery fire, Army’s director general of artillery Lt General Adosh Kumar said the force will induct 100 more K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked gun systems, as also additional Dhanush howitzers, Sharang guns and Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems.
Some ‘winterised’ K-9 Vajra regiments are already deployed in eastern Ladakh, out of the 100 such guns inducted earlier for £436.6 mn, amid the continuing military confrontation with China, which is into its fifth year now.
The £850 mn contract for 307 new indigenous advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS), which have a strike range up to 48 km, is also set to be inked soon. Moreover, trials will begin next year for the planned induction of 300 ‘shoot-and-scoot’ mounted gun systems and 400 ‘versatile’ towed artillery gun systems.
DRDO is also working to enhance the range, accuracy and lethality of the conventional Pralay ballistic missiles (400 km range) and Nirbhay cruise missiles (1,000 km). Concurrently, DRDO is developing hypersonic missiles, which will be different from the already inducted 450 km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
“With its accurate and destructive firepower, artillery today represents the true essence of military power. We are modernising at a pace like never before. Our mantra is 'modernisation through indigenisation’,” the Lt-Gen said.
