Firepower is in Place

Smruti D

The Indian Army’s Artillery Modernisation programme, which was stalled for nearly two decades, has finally gained pace. This programme aims at inclusion of diverse and specialised artillery equipment for the army to be used in different terrains and specialised areas of operations. Among howitzers, the programme aims at inclusion of towed, mounted and ultra-light howitzers; tracked and wheeled self-propelled artillery; missiles, multi-barrel rocket launchers, UAVs and ammunition among others.

FIRE ATAGS

As it is known, artilleries had played a pivotal role in bringing victory to India in the Kargil war against Pakistan. However, even three decades after the war, no procurements were made in this area. The modernisation was stalled because of the setbacks in procurements. After the procurement of nearly 400 pieces of 155 mm/39 calibre FH-77B howitzers in mid-Eighties, manufactured by the Swedish arms manufacturer Bofors, India inducted the US-origin M777 A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers (ULH) and K9 Vajra Self-Propelled of the Indian-South Korean make in 2018.

Artillery modernisation is important for India because it promises the inclusion of different types of artillery based on the terrain. While howitzers can function well in mountainous regions, self-propelled guns are meant for the plains.

This programme of acquiring Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP) first introduced in 1999, under which the Regiment of Artillery decided to acquire 2800-3000 155 mm/52 calibre guns of all kinds and 155 mm/39 calibre lightweight howitzers by 2027. As per reports, the acquisitions would include 814 truck-mounted guns, 1580 towed guns, 100 tracked self-propelled guns, 180 wheeled self-propelled guns and 145 ultra-light howitzers. Two other guns include the 155 mm pool of towed artillery.

M777 Howitzers

Even as the Manmohan Singh-led central government had floated a number of Request for Proposals (RFPs) for procurement of different howitzers, there arose various technical issues with the vendors, and the deals had to be scrapped. In 2008, the gove