Influenced by the ongoing Ukraine war, which has now entered its 571st day, the Indian Army is adopting a comprehensive strategy to enhance its firepower, mobility, and effectiveness. As part of this five-pronged approach, the Army is set to invest substantial funds to equip its artillery regiments with advanced weaponry and systems.
One of the key lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the pivotal role of firepower in determining the outcome of battles. As a result, the Indian Army is revising its profile of weaponry to focus on mobility, precision attacks, extended range capabilities, quick response capabilities, and enhanced survivability in combat situations.
The Army’s strategy encompasses several key elements, including the induction of advanced 155mm artillery gun systems, the integration of missiles and rockets with extended ranges, the utilization of lethal ammunition, the reorganization of surveillance techniques, and the reduction of the sensor-to-shooter loop duration for rapid threat detection and response.
To bolster its firepower, the Indian Army has prioritized the acquisition of self-propelled and mounted gun systems that offer superior mobility. Additionally, the Army is investing in missiles and rockets with enhanced range capabilities to ensure that it can strike adversaries from a greater distance. These efforts are geared toward increasing survivability and effectiveness on the battlefield.
Over the past five years, the Indian Army has procured or is in the process of procuring advanced gun systems with a focus on improving artillery’s lethality, reach, and versatility. Notably, the Army has imported M777 ultra-light howitzers from the United States. However, the primary emphasis is on modernization through indigenization.
One notable project by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), initiated in 2013. This project aims to replace older artillery guns with a modern 155mm artillery gun capable of a range of 48 kilometers. Collaboration with Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems is underway for its manufacture.
Additional priorities for the Indian Army include acquiring more self-propelled K9 Vajra-T guns, modern towed gun systems, expanding the deployment of Dhanush artillery pieces, and upgrading Sharang guns. The Army has already inducted 100 155mm/52 calibre K9 Vajra-T guns, some of which are deployed in Ladakh.
The ongoing modernization efforts and the focus on firepower enhancement demonstrate the Indian Army’s commitment to maintaining a technologically advanced and potent force to address evolving security challenges and ensure the nation’s defense preparedness.
