Army to Induct Bofors based 155 mm ‘Dhanush’ gun along with New weapon locating radar ” Swathi” | idrw.org
The Indian Army will soon be adding the 155 mm gun ‘Dhanush’ to its range of guns which have been proving their prowess and deadly firepower in various battlefields.
The Indian army, which already has the 155 mm Bofors gun, will induct Dhanush, which would add even more might to the regiment of artillery, said army officials at the Exercise Mahasangram, which was conducted in the firing ranges of the School of Artillery at Deolali on Tuesday.
Army officials said that while the Bofors has a rate of fire of three rounds per 14 seconds, the indigenous Dhanush could fire eight rounds per minute. Dhanush, which in the trial stage, would soon be inducted, said the army officers.
Apart from that, Swathi, an upgraded weapon locating radar (WLR) and Kshitiz, equipment for obeservation, would also be inducted in the plethora of the new generation surveillance and target acquisition equipment, the army officers added.
Both Swathi and Kshitiz are indigenously made. While the former is an upgraded version of the US-made WPL ANTPQ-37, the latter will be an upgraded version of the Israel-made long-range reconnaissance and observation system (LORROS).
The gunners of the Indian artillery displayed their skills at Exercise Mahasangram, conducted by the officers undergoing the prestigious long gunnery staff course, through a tactical situation requiring appreciation of the operations and preparation of an artillery fire plan in support of the operation.
The entire range of guns – from the indigenous 120 mm mortars, 105 mm Indian field gun, 105 mm light field gun, 130 mm medium gun to the state of the art 155 mm FH 77B Bofors, 122 mm multi-barrel rocket launcher grad BM 21 and the 300 mm Smerch multi-barrel rocket launcher – demonstrated their destructive power during the exercise.
Asn array of new generation surveillance and target acquisition equipment like the unmanned aerial vehicles, surveillance sensors and weapon locating radars were also put on display.
Officials said that besides being the eyes of the commanders, these devises, when used in conjunction with guns, were capable of augmenting the effect of fire power, thereby acting as force multipliers.
The Cheetah and Chetak helicopters flown by the army aviators demonstrated flying skills of pilots, as they flew just a few feet above the ground, merging with trees and shrubs, concealing their movement, in what is called the nap of Earth, flying to engage enemy tanks and other targets. They also airlifted a 120-mm mortar for delivering firepower resources in inaccessible areas, as part of the exercise.
The event was witnessed by visiting officers of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the Military Institute of Technology, Pune. A foreign defence delegation from Nepal also observed the event. Lt General A K Misra, AVSM, Commandant, School of Artillery, who was present at the event, interacted with various participants and delegations.
A large number of school children and NCC cadets from nearby schools were invited for the event to give them a glimpse of the might of the Indian Army and the artillery.
School of Artillery, Devlali
The School of Artillery, the alma mater of gunners, enjoys the unique status of an outstanding and unparalleled military institution whose alumni have excelled in all actions since the World War II.
It was set up in Kakul (Quetta) in Pakistan in 1918
Was moved to Deolali in 1941 with field and air defence wings
Surveillance and target acqusition (SATA) wing was established in 1958
Trails wing was established to evaluate equipment for induction in 1969
Air Defence wing bifurcated and moved to Gopalpur in 1985
Aviation wing moved to Nashik Road
The first commandant of the School of Artillery was Lt Col G H Johnson
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