India develops propellants for Bofors

[thestringshredder]

India will add indigenised firepower to the 155 mm Bofors guns on 15 August amidst the perceived threat from China in the Ladakh region. “A decade-long effort to develop bio-modular charges (propellants) within India has reached a conclusive stage. The first lot of propellants will be ready for trial by the Indian Army on 15 August,” sources told this newspaper on the condition of anonymity.

The process of manufacturing new propellants appears to have been quickened as China is posing a threat on the mountainous Ladakh belt. The Bofors gun had demonstrated its utility during the Kargil conflict with Pakistan. In fact, experts said that the Bofors guns won the Kargil conflict for India. If the trial of the propellants proves to be successful, it will end the uncertainty over the acquisition of these charges. The development will save at least Rs 1,000 cr. The propellants will be available for all sorts of guns irrespective of their range. The propellants manufactured by Bofors got nearly exhausted after the Kargil conflict. However, the propellants provided by Bofors could only fire the shell to a fixed distance of 25 km. The new propellants provide the option of adjusting the distance based on the position of the target. India acquired new propellants after the Kargil conflict from Somchem in South Africa. The company had agreed to transfer the technology but got blacklisted before the transfer took place.

The propellants, under the Somchem licence, were to be made at Nalanda plant. However, for 10 years, the development of the propellants could not be carried out. The new indigenised propellants are based on the technology that Somchem provided to India. The tests include the firing of a shell through the propellant to see if it will fire automatically in the wake of stray shells hitting it. If the shell explodes, it may lead to casualties. Sources said that the propellants’ development trials at Balasore in Orissa were flawless. If the Army is satisfied, Indian ordinance factories will have to manufacture the propellants on an urgent basis in a huge quantity. Unlike the earlier propellant, the new one will not leave any shell trace behind. It is also believed that the propellant will add quality to the American Howitzers India has acquired. The American guns are likely to reach India within a couple of months.

The technology was tried by the European forces in Afghanistan and they were satisfied with the propellants. Warheads are already being manufactured at Chandrapur in Maharashtra. A team of experts is assessing the testing facilities at the Chandigarh-based Terminal Ballast Research Laboratory (TBRL) before the propellant is ready for user trials. TBRL is a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratory.

Link - India develops propellants for Bofors | idrw.org

 

[janon]

It is also believed that the propellant will add quality to the American Howitzers India has acquired. The American guns are likely to reach India within a couple of months.

Huh, what?

IDRW has to stop pulling stuff out of their backsides. AFAIK, the deal has not been signed yet, although it will be.

 

[fsayed]

indian defence eco system gaining momentum

 

[Echo_419]

These Idiots were sitting on bofors TOT for 25 years
2.5 decades lost to develop Indeginious Artillery & now wears buying from abroad

 

[IBRIS]

These Idiots were sitting on bofors TOT for 25 years
2.5 decades lost to develop Indeginious Artillery & now wears buying from abroad

It's called milking the buffalo, it's been an easy picking in whole of our defence establishment. Every one takes a piece...what can i say we are corrupt to the core. Hath pey Haath rukh kar yeh sub ek dusarey kee jaibeh bhurtey hain.

 

[Guynextdoor2]

Huh, what?

IDRW has to stop pulling stuff out of their backsides. AFAIK, the deal has not been signed yet, although it will be.

I find that IDRW is frequently a pile of horse $hit. This is definitely among their better pieces.

 

[Abingdonboy]

It's called milking the buffalo, it's been an easy picking in whole of our defence establishment. Every one takes a piece...what can i say we are corrupt to the core. Hath pey Haath rukh kar yeh sub ek dusarey kee jaibeh bhurtey hain.

In this case that is utter BS. If the IA didn't get a single peice of arty from the mid-1980s to date, what buffalo was there to milk???


In this case it is a case of poltics and the ghost of the Bofors scam casting a shadow that has meant successive defence ministers have covered their own backs rather than pushing these deals through.


Thanks for the picture now seems to be changing.

 

[IBRIS]

In this case that is utter BS. If the IA didn't get a single peice of arty from the mid-1980s to date, what buffalo was there to milk???


In this case it is a case of poltics and the ghost of the Bofors scam casting a shadow that has meant successive defence ministers have covered their own backs rather than pushing these deals through.

Quotation was a blame towards the decision makers and to the respective mod's who would spectate the trials in the past. Now i don't want to get in details of how business been handled in favor of foreign customers rather than domestic industry had been suffering from all these players playing their dirty games.

Thanks for the picture now seems to be changing.

I tottaly agree with you on that that slowly but surely things are changing for the good,

 

[hkmarine55]

Very Good . Late but better we get our self back on track