Indian Army to Procure 300 Indigenous Dhanush Howitzers to Enhance Combat Readiness
In a significant move to bolster its artillery capabilities, the Indian Army is poised to order 300 indigenous Dhanush howitzer artillery guns. Defence officials have confirmed that a high-level meeting in the Defence Ministry is likely to clear this major procurement order in the near future.
Strategic Deployment and Regiment Formation
According to officials speaking to news agency ANI, these advanced artillery guns will be utilized to raise 15 new regiments within the force. This strategic deployment aims to significantly enhance the Army's combat readiness and firepower across various operational theaters.
Second Major Order for Indigenous Artillery
This procurement represents the second substantial order for the Dhanush howitzers, which are manufactured by public sector companies in India. The guns have already been inducted into service following an earlier order of 114 units several years ago, demonstrating the military's confidence in this indigenous system.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
The Dhanush is a 155 mm, 45-caliber artillery gun with impressive technical specifications:
- Design based on the proven Bofors howitzer platform inducted in the 1980s
- Features more than 80% indigenous components
- Can fire all types of ammunition currently available with the Indian Army
- Maximum range exceeds that of the original Bofors by 8-10 kilometers
- Compatible with bi-modular charge system (BMCS) for extended range capabilities
Proven Performance and Testing
The Dhanush howitzer has undergone rigorous testing to validate its performance. The artillery system successfully completed its trials at Rajasthan's Pokhran testing range in June 2018, demonstrating reliability and effectiveness under demanding conditions.
This procurement initiative underscores India's commitment to strengthening its indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities while enhancing military preparedness through modern artillery systems.
