Atmanirbhar Bharat: Indian Army to buy 400 howitzers from domestic firms

The Indian Army has submitted a proposal to the Defence Ministry to purchase 400 howitzers from Indian companies as part of a massive effort to support domestically designed and built combat systems. The 155 mm/52 calibre Towed Gun System will be lighter, more adaptable, and prepared for future technical improvements thanks to the knowledge of Indian Industry, according to the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery. “A proposal for buying 400 155mm 52 calibre towed gun systems (TGS) along with towing vehicles from Indian firms under the Buy Indian-IDDM category has been moved to the Defence Ministry. The government is expected to soon take a decision on the TGS at a high-level meeting,” senior military officials told the media. The Indian Army has already released a tender to locate a mounted gun system for its needs along the borders with China and Pakistan in addition to one to find 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS). It would be entirely Indian in every manner if the howitzer were Indian Designed, Developed, and Manufactured. Like the previous Bofors weapons, the Army wants the new guns to be lighter and simpler to deploy in high-altitude settings. The Army’s strategy for mediumization with indigenous weapons includes a procurement process that should be finished by 2042. Four contracts for the purchase of 155 mm howitzers have been finalised in the previous ten years. The introduction of these gun systems and the subsequent equipping of more regiments with these weapons. Dhanush, Sharang, Ultra Light Howitzers (ULH), and K-9 Vajra Self-Propelled Guns are some of these weapon systems. The Sharang Guns have been upgraded from 130mm to 155mm calibre, while the Dhanush Guns are electronic upgrades of the Bofors Guns. Five Regiments have already received self-propelled guns, while seven Regiments have already received ULHs. (With agency inputs)