Artillery has historically been decisive in warfare, providing armies with unmatched firepower, operational flexibility, and psychological advantage.
India’s artillery modernisation drive, particularly the comprehensive transition to 155mm calibre guns, reflects a deliberate, structured, and strategic initiative essential for contemporary warfare. It is not merely an upgrade but a fundamental transformation in military preparedness and strategic capability, shaped by the evolving demands of modern conflict, India’s expansive and challenging geographic conditions, and the critical imperative of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Artillery has historically been decisive in warfare, providing armies with unmatched firepower, operational flexibility, and psychological advantage. The capacity to engage enemy positions at extended distances, beyond infantry and conventional weaponry range, gives artillery its strategic importance. This capability proved pivotal during the Kargil War of 1999, where Indian artillery, notably the 155mm Bofors guns, played an indispensable role by delivering intense bombardment on fortified enemy positions, allowing Indian troops to regain control of critical heights. Beyond its physical destruction, the sustained artillery barrage effectively disrupted enemy supply lines and morale, significantly influencing the conflict’s outcome.
In the contemporary context, the majority of India’s artillery inventory comprises ageing 130mm field guns. Recognising the need for modernisation, the Indian Army initiated Project Sharang, upgrading these legacy guns to a more effective 155mm standard, thereby enhancing range, accuracy, and destructive capability significantly. This process is complemented by the induction of advanced artillery systems such as the indigenously developed Dhanush artillery gun, the K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer, and the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
The Dhanush gun, developed domestically by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), represents India’s commitment to self-sufficiency, reflecting significant advancements in indigenous manufacturing capabilities. It incorporates advanced technologies, significantly improving its performance in terms of accuracy, range, and reliability over previous systems. The induction process for the Dhanush guns, involving rigorous trials to ensure they meet the Indian Army’s stringent qualitative requirements (QRs), emphasises India’s systematic and quality-conscious approach to artillery modernisation.
Simultaneously, the K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, initially procured from South Korea and subsequently produced domestically through technology transfer and collaboration with Indian industry giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T), have considerably boosted India’s artillery capabilities. The recent order of an additional 100 K-9 Vajra units in December 2024 further highlights the strategic importance attached to these platforms, especially for operational deployment along sensitive borders with China and Pakistan.
Bharat Forge, a prominent Indian gun manufacturer, is significantly involved in all ongoing 155mm artillery procurement projects of the Indian Army. It is a contender across various categories, highlighting its pivotal role in India’s artillery modernisation initiatives.
One of the most promising developments is the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), jointly developed by Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Following extensive evaluations and meeting requisite standards set by the Indian Army, Bharat Forge and TASL are expected to finalise the contract shortly. Once signed, a prototype meeting basic Army requirements will be delivered within 18 months, after which clearance for bulk production will be granted.
Parallelly, Bharat Forge has actively responded to the Indian Army’s Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in July 2023 for the 155mm/52 calibre Mounted Gun System (MGS). Bharat Forge, along with other contenders, has requested a timeline extending until December 2025 for prototype production, highlighting the detailed and structured evaluation process.
Additionally, the Indian Army issued an RFP in July 2024 for the 155mm/52 calibre Towed Gun System (TGS). Bharat Forge and other participating firms are expected to deposit their gun systems by July 2025 without additional development time, emphasising the structured and timely procurement approach.
Significantly, the Indian Army actively supports domestic defence manufacturers under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, providing extensive assistance including firing ranges, technical support during tests to validate milestones, and opportunities to showcase equipment to international customers. However, irrespective of export success, all systems must strictly comply with the Indian Army’s qualitative requirements, which consider diverse terrain, climatic conditions, and operational demands specific to India’s strategic environment.
Ultimately, India’s structured and comprehensive approach to artillery modernisation is not merely about upgrading weapon systems; it represents a strategic investment in national security, technological self-reliance, and industrial capability. This transformative process ensures India’s military remains resilient and effective across diverse and challenging operational environments, positioning the nation confidently as a technologically advanced and self-reliant defence powerhouse. Artillery Corps of the Indian Army needs to be complimented for a well thought out road map of capability development which is progressing by and large as per plan.
* Lt Gen. Dushyant Singh (Retd) is the Director General of the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).