India kicks off fifth trial of 155 mm towed guns

[SPFG]

India kicks off fifth trial of 155 mm towed guns

Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

23 May , 2013

The Indian Army began field trials in mid-May of two rival howitzers that are hoping to fulfil its long-standing requirement for 1,580 155 mm/52 calibre towed guns.

Nexter Systems' Trajan 155mm/52 calibre gun, which has been modified for the Indian tender, and Soltam Systems' ATHOS 2052 platform are undergoing 8-10 weeks of trials this summer in the Rajasthan desert, an army source said. Under the terms of the contract, 400 guns will be handed over ready to use and 1,180 will be built locally.

The ATHOS trials are being led by Elbit Systems, which purchased Soltam from the Mikal Group in October 2010.

India kicks off fifth trial of 155 mm towed guns - IHS Jane's 360

Guys expect first howitzers in 2015. Finally progress!

 

[Alpha1]

What is it's range?
What are the specifications?

 

[Echo_419]

Ab select karlena yaar please

 

[bloo]

What is it's range?
What are the specifications?

Max range of 42-55km for Trajan, 41km for Athos.

 

[acid rain]

Nexter has a jv With L&T, what about Soltham?

and, whats happening with bofors license production?

 

[Gessler]

Max range of 42-55km for Trajan, 41km for Athos.

OFB's Bofors variant (155x45mm) can already hit upto 40km,,,

I feel we should've upgunned this to 155x52mm instead of just 155x45mm.

 

[Manindra]

Good development

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

Caesar will win mounted gun order for 814 systems due to air mobility.
BOFORS FH-77BLO52[towed version of archer]would have won towed if it hadn't pulled out,now between athos and trajan[towed version of caesar].This will be close fight.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Caesar will win mounted gun order for 814 systems due to air mobility.
.

You sound intriguingly confident of the Caesar's victory.

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

You sound intriguingly confident of the Caesar's victory.

Mum's the word.
Only capable challenger is atmos,but even if somehow unbelievable happens it will be only because-
athos wins towed art tender and army would like similar spares/ammo logistics and price was SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper for atmos .

 

[Abingdonboy]

Mum's the word.
Only capable challenger is atmos,but even if somehow unbelievable happens it will be only because-
athos wins towed art tender and army would like similar spares/ammo logistics and price was SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper for atmos .

Based purely on this air-mobility aspect?

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

Based purely on this air-mobility aspect?

Biggest advantage atm ,IA wants its arty quickly deployable on the chinese border from air as ground infrastructure not sufficient,bad roads etc.Only atmos and caesar deployable by c-130.
Plus caesar even without this is combat proven unlike others and extremely high tech.The 3 man crew low manpower high automation of the archer was not a particular asset for IA where manpower is not a problem.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Biggest advantage atm ,IA wants its arty quickly deployable on the chinese border from air as ground infrastructure not sufficient,bad roads etc.Only atmos and caesar deployable by c-130.
Plus caesar even without this is combat proven unlike others and extremely high tech.The 3 man crew low manpower high automation of the archer was not a particular asset for IA where manpower is not a problem.

But does the C-130 come into the picture when only a very limited number of them are being procured and that too for primarily Spec Ops? And surely we should be considering the performance of the guns as well which I'm sure the IA is just as interested in.

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

But does the C-130 come into the picture when only a very limited number of them are being procured and that too for primarily Spec Ops? And surely we should be considering the performance of the guns as well which I'm sure the IA is just as interested in.

Of course performance of guns is number 1 priority,and at that caesar is top notch.On top of it its combat proven and that too in dusty environments[similar to indian western theatre]

 

[AUSTERLITZ]

Caesar was actually not meant to be inducted into french army.They bought 1 battery of 8 guns for international promotional purpose for nexter.But army liked it so much order was extended to well over 100.It served well in afganisthan ,with excellent cross country mobility ,light weight and quick set up time.FCS is also top notch.Recently 4 caesars were kicking *** in mali.