Dhanush (howitzer) explained

Dhanush
Origin:India
Type:Howitzer
Is Ranged:yes
Is Artillery:yes
Service:2019 - present
Used By:Indian Army
Designer:Ordnance Factory Board
Design Date:2010 - 2013
Manufacturer:Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (previously Ordnance Factory Board)
Unit Cost:[1]
Production Date:2014 - present
Number:24[2]
Weight:
  • 13t
  • <14t (Upgraded)
Part Length:
  • 6.98m (22.9feet) L/45
  • 8.06m (26.44feet) L/52 (Upgraded)[3]
Crew:6-8
Caliber:155 mm (NATO ammunition compatible)
Action:Auto gun alignment and positioning
Rate:
  • Burst: 3 rounds in 15 sec
  • Intense: 15 rounds in 3 min
  • Sustained: 60 rounds in 60 min
Max Range:
  • 38 km[4] [5]
  • 42 km (Upgraded)
  • >60 km (for Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell, being developed)[6]
Feed:Electrically operated ammunition handling
Sights:Thermal sight Gunners display
Breech:Screw type
Recoil:Electro-rheological/Magneto-rheological
Is Vehicle:yes
Speed:With towing vehicle 70 kmph, Self propelled >5 kmph with 95kw APU [7]
Elevation:Servo based, -3°/+70°
Traverse:Servo based, 30° left or right from centreline[8]

Dhanush (bow) is a 155 mm towed howitzer manufactured by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India at Gun Carriage Factory Jabalpur, previously a part of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). The gun was approved for service in 2019 and has been inducted into the Indian Army.[9] The Dhanush project was started by OFB to replace the older 105 mm Indian Field Gun, 105 mm Light Field Gun and the Russian 122 mm guns with a modern 155 mm artillery gun.

Development

The initial indigenous development of artillery guns in India started in the 1970s with the Artillery Gun Development Team under Brigadier Gurdyal Singh at Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur.[10] This resulted in the introduction of 105 mm Indian Field Gun and its variant, the Light Field Gun into the Indian Army.

The purchase of Haubits FH77 guns manufactured by Bofors in the 1980s included technology transfer to OFB. After many years being unable to acquire or import foreign artillery guns due to the corruption charges, OFB developed the Dhanush gun based on the technical data package that was included in the purchase of the FH77. Improvements and modernisation of the original construction included lengthening the gun barrel from 39 calibres to 45, inertial navigation-based sighting system, auto-laying facility, onboard ballistic computation and an advanced day and night direct firing system.

An order, worth, was placed with OFB around 2013 for 114 guns and 300 more planned. The guns were to be manufactured by Gun Carriage Factory Jabalpur. The gun cost was at apiece with 80% indigenous content. Very few components like APU, electronic dial sights and a few other small items are imported.

From 6 to 30 June 2014, the gun underwent its final summer trials at Pokhran Field Firing Range. This was after the successful winter trials in Sikkim at an altitude of 3500m (11,500feet) at sub-zero temperatures. Dhanush outperformed the Bofors gun by 20 to 25 percent in parameters like range, accuracy, consistency, low and high angle of fire, and shoot-and-scoot ability. There had been a paise in trials due to a barrel burst incident in August 2013 but was later investigation reported an issue with "old ammunition with air bubbles" and no problem was found in barrel design or metallurgy.[11]

Three Dhanush guns were handed over to the Indian Army for user trials in July 2016.[12] Battery trials were expected to be completed by July 2017 with 18 guns entering service in 2017, 36 guns in 2018, and 60 guns in 2019, for an Indian Army order of 114 guns.[13] Each regiment has 18 guns and two are reserved.

The Dhanush experienced a few problem during trials, failing on three occasions in a row in 2017.[14] It was reported in July 2017 that the howitzer failed the last phase of testing, due to the shell hitting the muzzle brake. A redesign of the barrel by widening it was being considered to solve the issue.[15] Later an investigation revealed the incident happened due to a defective shell. Further trials were conducted by firing about 5000 shells in the desert regions and icy glaciers of the Himalayas without any incident.[16] In June 2018, Dhanush completed final development trials.[17] In February 2019, it was approved for series production.[18]

Manufacturing

The first batch of 6 guns were officially inducted by the Army on 8 April 2019. 93 Field Regiment becoming one of the first units to be armed with this gun and had the honour to participate in the 71st Republic Day Parade and Army Day parade in 2020 with its new equipment.[19]

A recent manufacturing disruption occurred due to the untimely procurement of a spare part needed for a sub-assembly. The production of Dhanush has restarted following a pause due to a shortage of spare parts. In FY2023–2024, Advance Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) intends to deliver the Indian Army with 26 brand-new howitzers. With this, the Army will have 50 Dhanush weapons overall. The Army received the first set of 6 guns in April 2019. Accidents such as barrel bursts and muzzle brake strikes marred the early years of manufacturing. At that point, the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was in charge of the Gun Carriage Factory in Jabalpur. New terms and conditions were signed with the new entity AWEIL following the corporatization. According to the revised terms, the delivery is proceeding as planned.[20] The guns are to be delivered by 2026.[21]

As of March 2024, the guns for second regiment are in induction phase.[22]

Ammunition

Smart Artillery Shell

Variants

A vehicle mounted variant of the gun called Mounted Gun System was showcased by OFB at the Defexpo 2018 show. The gun is mounted on a 8x8 Tatra truck manufactured under license by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and has a 30km/h cross country speed and 80km/h road speed.[26]

Users

Indian Army - 114 units ordered, 24 delivered. First regiment is operational near Line of Actual Control (LAC).[27] As of September 2024, all units now expected to be delivered by March 2026.[28] [29] [30]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Indian Army to induct indigenous artillery gun Dhanush, first since the Bofors scandal . Press Trust of India . 8 September 2015 . ibnlive.com . 5 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150911084223/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/indian-army-to-induct-indigenous-artillery-gun-dhanush-first-since-the-bofors-scandal-1087757.html . 11 September 2015 . dead.
  2. News: 2023-12-06 . Dhanush production starts after spare part prob solved . 2024-08-13 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  3. Web site: Kajal . Kapil . 21 December 2022 . India outlines 155 mm/52 calibre towed gun programme . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230730090510/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/india-outlines-155-mm52-calibre-towed-gun-programme . 30 July 2023 . 30 July 2023 . Janes . en.
  4. Web site: Shukla . Ajai . 8 February 2014 . Indian artillery guns make a splash at DefExpo . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828084113/https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/indian-artillery-guns-make-a-splash-at-defexpo-114020800949_1.html . 28 August 2023 . Business Standard.
  5. Web site: Bipindra . N C . 21 June 2014 . 'Dhanush' Ready after Final Trials in Pokhran . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160929195009/http://www.newindianexpress.com:80/nation/%E2%80%98Dhanush%E2%80%99-Ready-after-Final-Trials-in-Pokhran/2014/06/21/article2291439.ece . 29 September 2016 . The New Indian Express.
  6. News: MP . Sidharth . 21 February 2020 . IIT-M working on next-gen Ramjet-powered 155mm artillery shells for Indian Army . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200921163017/https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iit-m-working-on-next-gen-ramjet-powered-155mm-artillery-shells-for-indian-army-282090 . 21 September 2020 . 22 August 2022 . WION.
  7. Web site: Dhanush 155mmX45 Calibre Gun . Directorate of Ordnance (Coordination and Services) . en.
  8. News: Bedi . Rahul . 9 April 2019 . Indian Army receives first six of 114 Dhanush howitzers . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190410222539/https://www.janes.com/article/87786/indian-army-receives-first-six-of-114-dhanush-howitzers . 10 April 2019 . Janes.
  9. Web site: Pawar . B.S. . 8 May 2023 . Stuck at Aatmanirbharta . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230622152822/https://forceindia.net/guest-column/stuck-at-aatmanirbharta/ . 22 June 2023 . 22 June 2023 . forceindia.net.
  10. Web site: 8 April 2019 . An eye on fixed target 'Dhanush' is all set to serve nation: Artillery gun inducted in the Indian Army . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828082617/https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2019/4/8/Dhanush-artillery-gun.amp.html . 28 August 2023 . NewsBharati.
  11. News: Pandit . Rajat . 21 June 2014 . Desi Bofors howitzer undergoes final trials in major boost to indigenization . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230830065421/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/desi-bofors-howitzer-undergoes-final-trials-in-major-boost-to-indigenization/articleshow/36922267.cms . 30 August 2023 . 18 July 2016 . The Times of India.
  12. News: 17 July 2016 . Gun Carriage Factory hands over 3 'Dhanush' guns to Army . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240117032254/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Gun-Carriage-Factory-hands-over-%E2%80%98Dhanush%E2%80%99-guns-to-Army/article60462476.ece . 17 January 2024 . 17 July 2016 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  13. News: Peri . Dinakar . 2 June 2017 . Army to Induct 18 Dhanush Artillery Guns This Year . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230828101739/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-to-induct-18-dhanush-artillery-guns-this-year/article18709318.ece . 28 August 2023 . 4 June 2017 . The Hindu . en-US.
  14. News: Unnithan . Sandeep . 12 August 2021 . Why L&T is offering the Indian army a homegrown artillery gun . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221025227/https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-l-t-is-offering-the-indian-army-a-homegrown-artillery-gun-1839576-2021-08-11 . 21 December 2022 . India Today.
  15. Web site: Arya . Shirshir . 21 July 2017 . Desi howitzer fails last phase of tests . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231013130608/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/desi-howitzer-fails-last-phase-of-tests/articleshow/59691394.cms . 13 October 2023 . The Times of India.
  16. News: Sagar . Pradip R . 6 May 2018 . Shots on target, finally . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180501162558/https://www.theweek.in/theweek/specials/2018/04/27/shots-on-target-finally.html . 1 May 2018 . 4 May 2018 . The Week . en.
  17. News: 8 June 2018 . Dhanush artillery gun clears final test, ready for induction: Official . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180610053239/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/dhanush-artillery-gun-clears-final-test-ready-for-induction-official/articleshow/64511167.cms . 10 June 2018 . The Economic Times . Press Trust of India.
  18. News: Bedi . Rahul . 19 February 2019 . Indian MoD approves local production of 114 Dhanush howitzers . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190220170216/https://www.janes.com/article/86615/indian-mod-approves-local-production-of-114-dhanush-howitzers . 20 February 2019 . Janes.
  19. News: 26 January 2020 . India's military strength, cultural diversity at display during 71st Republic Day Parade . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200126143102/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/india-s-military-strength-cultural-diversity-at-display-during-71st-republic-day-parade-120012600440_1.html . 26 January 2020 . 6 April 2021 . Business Standard India.
  20. News: Arya . Shishir . 2023-12-06 . Dhanush production starts after spare part prob solved . live . https://archive.ph/WL8or . 2024-11-27 . 2024-02-11 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  21. News: Peri . Dinakar . 2023-09-17 . Army likely to complete inducting 114 Dhanush guns by 2026 . 2024-11-25 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  22. Web site: Singh . Mayank . 2024-03-07 . Plans afoot to add indigenous towed artillery guns Dhanush along LAC . 2024-11-25 . The New Indian Express . en.
  23. Web site: Kajal . Kapil . 20 October 2022 . Defexpo 2022: India upgrades Dhanush towed guns . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106172617/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/defexpo-2022-india-upgrades-dhanush-towed-guns . 6 November 2022 . 20 October 2022 . Janes . en.
  24. Web site: Arthur . Gordon . 2024-02-13 . India takes next step toward new 155mm towed howitzers . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240831113915/https://www.defensenews.com/land/2024/02/13/india-takes-next-step-toward-new-155mm-towed-howitzers/ . 31 August 2024 . 2024-02-16 . Defense News . en.
  25. Web site: Danush 155 mm Field Howitzer . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231212033452/https://www.militarytoday.com/artillery/danush.htm . 12 December 2023 . 12 December 2023 . militarytoday.com.
  26. Web site: Parakala . Akshara . 19 April 2018 . Defexpo 2018: OFB showcases 155 mm/52 calibre Mounted Gun System . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627145036/http://www.janes.com/article/79422/defexpo-2018-ofb-showcases-155-mm-52-calibre-mounted-gun-system . 27 June 2018 . 4 May 2018 . Janes.
  27. Web site: 17 July 2023 . Indian Army Deploys Upgraded Dhanush Howitzers in Ladakh . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209112747/https://ssbcrackexams.com/indian-army-deploys-upgraded-dhanush-howitzers/ . 9 December 2023 . 9 December 2023 . ssbcrackexams.com . en-US.
  28. News: Peri . Dinakar . 2023-09-17 . Army likely to complete inducting 114 Dhanush guns by 2026 . 2024-02-16 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  29. Web site: Ray . Kalyan . New howitzers, firing ranges near the LAC for Army amidst China boundary dispute . 2024-09-27 . Deccan Herald . en.
  30. Web site: 2024-09-27 . Local 155mm ammunition, broader production vendor base: Army counters supply issues amid Russia-Ukraine war . 2024-09-27 . The Indian Express . en.

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