144 Indigenous Howitzers Approved for Army: Antony

[Bhai Zakir]

144 Indigenous Howitzers Approved for Army: Antony


Defence Ministry has cleared a proposal to induct 144 indigenously-developed 155mm howitzers into the Army for which trials will be held later this year.

The 155mm artillery guns are being developed indigenously by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in Jabalpur on the basis of Transfer of Technology of the controversial Swiss Bofors guns, which were inducted into the Army in late 1980s.

"The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared a proposal for production of 144 155mm guns (in the Army). Winter trials will take place in December and summer trials in June," Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters here.

He expressed hope that these trials would be successful "so that after 30 years, India can have upgraded 155mm guns."

The Defence Minister had recently visited Jabalpur to review the progress in the development of these guns.

The Army has not been able to induct even a single new piece of artillery gun in the last 25 years despite several attempts.

Asked about recent reports suggesting that the Defence Ministry was curbing the financial powers of the DRDO chief, Antony said, "That is not correct. We are in the process of delegation of more powers to the various wings of the Defence Ministry."

"When there is delegation of power, we have to set right things more systematically. It is not confined to DRDO or BrahMos but to entire Defence Ministry family. Out of our past experience, whenever there is more delegation, there should be more transparent systems. There should be check and balance," he said.

The Minister said efforts to bring in more accountability and transparency in financial management was for "common good and not for one person or one institution."

"On one hand, process of delegation is going on, on the other the process of institutionalising check and balance is on so that every rupee spent by Defence Ministry is spent with more transparency and accountability," Antony said.

To queries on a preliminary internal audit report suggesting financial mismanagement in DRDO, he said, "I will not comment about a preliminary audit report.... I will say something only if it is a final report."



144 Indigenous Howitzers Approved for Army: Antony | news.outlookindia.com

 

[Tshering22]

Swiss bofors guns? The reporter just had a lot of drinks before writing.

Secondly, while it is good that we're getting our own domestic howitzers, I'd like to know how much of that is cutting edge and how much of it is old.

It cannot be that we're going to build a gun that is 30 years old.

 

[karan21]

Swiss bofors guns? The reporter just had a lot of drinks before writing.

Secondly, while it is good that we're getting our own domestic howitzers, I'd like to know how much of that is cutting edge and how much of it is old.

It cannot be that we're going to build a gun that is 30 years old.

Is there any info available on this online?? I am not even able to find real pics of recent trials. There are many howizters under development right now both in DRDO and ordinance factories, so more news should follow soon.

Surely the electronics will be upto date. Rest the job of the gun is same to fire on the enemy, which it will do perfectly.

 

[JohnyD]

addition to below??

India to buy 145 ultra light howitzers for Army from US

Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian...ra-light-howitzers-army-us.html#ixzz284j72WHJ

 

[Kloitra]

Swiss bofors guns? The reporter just had a lot of drinks before writing.

Secondly, while it is good that we're getting our own domestic howitzers, I'd like to know how much of that is cutting edge and how much of it is old.

It cannot be that we're going to build a gun that is 30 years old.

What cutting edge are you talking about. IMHO there is not much to improve in them. Possible improvement can be like US, adding gps to shells. Which is not tech/economically feasible for us. Otherwise bofors do its job well.

 

[karan21]

addition to below??

India to buy 145 ultra light howitzers for Army from US

Source: http://www.defence.pk/forums/indian...ra-light-howitzers-army-us.html#ixzz284j72WHJ

These are light maybe for high mountain warfare. We can make them on our own, but DRDO will take time.

 

[Tshering22]

What cutting edge are you talking about. IMHO there is not much to improve in them. Possible improvement can be like US, adding gps to shells. Which is not tech/economically feasible for us. Otherwise bofors do its job well.

Smart shells are the need of the hour, mate. Unguided shelling has its serious demerits like how we almost ran out of ammunition in Kargil war.

In modern artillery warfare, guided shells (at least by laser designators on UAVs) are an excellent option.

Although artillery won't be needed again in western theater things may heat up in the east.

 

[JohnyD]

These are light maybe for high mountain warfare. We can make them on our own, but DRDO will take time.

thanks...guess too many things on DRDO's shoulder and tons of expectations....lets not bend it futher...cant the technology be sourced from global market? may be a contract can be offered to private Indian companies and they can scout for tech partner for their project...its possible..isnt it?

some or other way we have to involve and grow private sectors defense industry in India...

 

[surya kiran]

what we need to do is not just build the gun. We need to do r&d on the projectile. Something like the excalibur if we can produce in-house would be awesome.

 

[karan21]

thanks...guess too many things on DRDO's shoulder and tons of expectations....lets not bend it futher...cant the technology be sourced from global market? may be a contract can be offered to private Indian companies and they can scout for tech partner for their project...its possible..isnt it?

some or other way we have to involve and grow private sectors defense industry in India...

Mate the RBU-6000 rocket launchers in Indian navy ships are made by L&T and so are the torpedoes. Given the TOT by DRDO, companies like L&T, tata etc will do wonders for army.

 

[Kloitra]

Smart shells are the need of the hour, mate. Unguided shelling has its serious demerits like how we almost ran out of ammunition in Kargil war.

In modern artillery warfare, guided shells (at least by laser designators on UAVs) are an excellent option.

Although artillery won't be needed again in western theater things may heat up in the east.

Cost, a dumb shell is much cheaper than a guided one, and drdo has a long way to go before making a guided one.
Besides, this feature should be a possible upgrade. Just needs some electronic added to the gun.

 

[xyxmt]

in Sanskrit the word India means The maker of Indigenous military equipment
so you dont need to tag every news with Indigenous, its granted

 

[aakash_2410]

in Sanskrit the word India means The maker of Indigenous military equipment
so you dont need to tag every news with Indigenous, its granted

Another conspiracy theory?

I as an Indian have never heard of it and I've studied Sanskrit on school level plus my granddad was fluent in Sanskrit.

 

[COLDHEARTED AVIATOR]

in Sanskrit the word India means The maker of Indigenous military equipment
so you dont need to tag every news with Indigenous, its granted

Dont worry...I am sure your team can do well in the next match.

Guys,dont target him....sadme me hein.Afterall the best bowling attack in the world got raped...chotti bat thode hein.

 

[sraja]

Approved only the proposal.

Not yet approve the purchase. Title is misleading.

In typical Indian standard, trials can take decade. Summer trail, Winter trail, autumn trail, more trail, more more trail, sudden change of specification, another trail, then new tender, another another trail....The saga will continue for ages.

Acquisition of artillery is something a curse on Indian Army. Good news for enemies.