In light of the recent conflict in Ukraine, India has taken strategic lessons to bolster its artillery capabilities. The country is set to acquire a range of weaponry, including howitzers, missiles, rockets, loiter ammunition, and swarm drones, recognizing the significance of high-volume destructive firepower in achieving success on the battlefield. These acquisitions will be part of India's ongoing major capability development plan aimed at enhancing the firepower of its Army's artillery regiments.
India's procurement plans include the purchase of approximately 300 indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) and 300 Mounted Gun Systems (MGS). Requests for proposals (RFPs) for 52-caliber guns have also been issued as part of this initiative.
Additionally, India is considering the acquisition of 100 K-9 Vajra guns, known for their striking range of 28-38 kilometers. These may be acquired through a collaborative effort between L&T and the South Korean company Hanwha Defence. Notably, India has already deployed K9-Vajra regiments, equipped with "winterization kits," in the contentious region of eastern Ladakh, where Indian and Chinese forces have been in a standoff for an extended period. The Indian Army has also introduced the new M-777 ultra-light howitzers alongside the older Bofors guns.
One key takeaway from the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the importance of implementing force-survivability measures, particularly the "shoot and scoot" technique. In response to this lesson, the Indian Army is revising its artillery modernization plan, focusing on procuring more mounted and self-propelled guns.
The ATAGS, which boast an impressive strike range of 48 kilometers, will be manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge. While the initial order comprises 300 guns, it is anticipated that the Army's requirement for these guns will ultimately reach 1,580 units.
Furthermore, India's military strategy involves acquiring more BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, renowned for their 450-kilometer strike range. An 800-kilometer variant of the BrahMos missile is also in development. The Indian Army is also set to receive Pralay non-nuclear ballistic missiles, with a range spanning between 150 and 500 kilometers. Emphasizing the need for a well-balanced arsenal, a source noted, "Artillery regiments need a judicious mix of guns, missiles, and rockets."
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