The practically 17-month standoff with China in japanese Ladakh has prompted the Army to look extra carefully for mounted artillery techniques, which might be simpler to maneuver in high-altitude areas.
Director General of Artillery Lt Gen TK Chawla mentioned on Monday: “We are taking a look at Mounted Gun System. Especially in mountainous areas, it is going to give a bonus in getting out and in of motion. “
In the case of towed weapons, he mentioned, “the train” will get “too long” to hold them.
Mounted weapons may be deployed in a wide range of terrains – plains, mountains, excessive altitudes, deserts and semi-desert areas. Earlier this 12 months, the Army issued a request for info for greater than 800 such weapons.
India additionally ordered 145 ultra-light M777 howitzer tow weapons in 2016 for round $750 million.
Chawla informed reporters that these weapons might be a part of seven regiments and three of those are already operational. He mentioned that greater than half of the ordered weapons had been provided, including {that a} fourth regiment was being shaped. 155 mm artillery is being deployed alongside the Line of Actual Control.
“They give the added benefit of maneuverability because of their weight,” Chawla mentioned. He additionally mentioned that coaching is underway to maneuver weapons from one sector to a different with Chinook helicopters.
On the .45 caliber Dhanush howitzer manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Board, Chawla mentioned the Army has “already placed an indent for 114 guns” in 2019. He added: “There are some preliminary points that they should deal with. But it’s going effectively. As lengthy as they’re able to type out these points, we are able to go as much as some confidence firing, that’s what is agreed with OFB. occurred.
He pressured that, “recently had a very fruitful and constructive discussion with OFB” and famous that “we as users are looking forward to fruition sooner than later”.
Chawla mentioned the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) developed by DRDO had performed firing trials in Pokhran in July and August. While “some parameters were achieved, some needed further improvement”. DRDO is working with its improvement companions, he mentioned, to attain these firing and non-firing parameters.
“We have knowledgeable DRDO and so they have agreed to work on it. We are in search of a robust, dependable gun that may fireplace precisely, constantly and reliably. I’m very optimistic about ATAGS. DRDO will work in direction of overcoming what couldn’t be achieved in Pokhran.
Chawla mentioned that “a lot has been done by the Army for both ATAGS and Dhanush” when it comes to artillery. “I had detailed discussions with OFB and ARDE (Ordnance Research and Development Establishment) of DRDO final week.
Speaking about one other indigenously constructed system, the Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher, Chawla mentioned that 4 regiments have already been commissioned, and 6 extra have been ordered.
A brand new variant of Akash missile, Akash Prime was efficiently flight take a look at fired from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha on Monday. The missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial goal mimicking an enemy plane in its first flight take a look at after correction.
Akash Prime is provided with an indigenous energetic RF seeker for higher accuracy, and different enhancements to make sure extra dependable efficiency in low temperature environments at excessive altitudes, DRDO mentioned in a press release.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
