With big guns, Indian Army keeps combat posture along LAC

File Photo

INTERNATIONAL DESK: The Indian Army continues with its strong combat posture along the entire frontier with China, which includes high-volume artillery firepower ranging from the older 105mm field guns, Bofors and rocket systems to the spanking new M-777 ultra-light howitzers, amid no signs of de-escalation in eastern Ladakh.

The M-777 howitzers can be airlifted from one sector to another in forward areas by Chinook helicopters, while the swifter mobilization of heavier artillery guns has been made possible by the roads constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) over the last couple of years.

“As the BRO further takes the road network to forward areas, we will be able to deploy our guns in more locations,” said director general (artillery) Lt-General T K Chawla, a day ahead of the Gunners’ Day on Tuesday.

The Army is also trial-evaluating whether the new K-9 Vajra self-propelled tracked guns, procured for operations in plains and deserts, can be effectively deployed in high-altitude regions as well, he added.

The force has inducted 100 of 155mm/52-calibre K-9 guns, which have a range of 28-38-km, under a Rs 4,366 joint project of L&T and South Korean Hanwha Defence. “We are also examining whether more K-9 guns are needed,” said Lt-Gen Chawla.

As for the M-777 howitzers, primarily meant for the China front, around half of the 145 guns ordered for over Rs 5,000 crore from the US have been delivered so far. With a strike range of 30-km, three M-777 regiments have been deployed along the Line of Actual Control with China.

There is, however, slow progress in two major indigenous artillery guns, both of which have faced problems during trials. The first is the 155mm/45-calibre Dhanush howitzers, the electronically upgraded version of the original Bofors guns. The Army had earlier placed an order for 114 of these guns for Rs 1,260 crore from the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

The second is the 155mm/52 caliber advanced towed artillery gun systems (ATAGS), which the DRDO contends is the best in its class in the world with a 48-km strike range. The Army needs as many as 1,580 such guns.

“A lot of handholding has been done by the Army, both for ATAGS and Dhanush. We want the indigenous efforts to succeed. There are major advantages in having indigenous systems and not being dependent on foreign technologies,” said Lt-Gen Chawla.

After “constructive discussions” with both OFB and DRDO, the senior officer said he was “optimistic” that “certain parameters not achieved” during trials of ATAGS and the “few teething issues” with Dhanush will both be resolved soon. “We want robust guns. Guns which are able to fire accurately, consistently and with a high degree of reliability as per laid down parameters,” he said.

(The Times of India)