Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan Explained

The Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan is a procurement and development plan of the Indian Army. The programme was drafted in 1999 in the aftermath of the Kargil war, emboldened by the success of the 155 mm Bofors guns in its inventory. The programme was slated to replace the weapons of 169 artillery regiments with modern weapon systems, predominantly of 155mm calibre.[1] The procurement involves direct import, manufacture under license, as well as inhouse development of artillery weapon systems.[2]

Under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, the army plans to procure approximately 3000–3600 weapons, at a cost of over with an outlay of over Rs 20,000 crore (approximately US$3 billion). This includes the initial purchase of 1580 towed, 814 mounted, 180 self-propelled wheeled, 100 self-propelled tracked, and 145 ultra-light 155 mm/52 calibre artillery guns.[3] The FARP was further amplified by the Artillery Profile 2027 (acquisition plan), which was drafted in year 2008.[3]

Towed guns

See main article: Dhanush (howitzer) and DRDO Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System.

Dhanush

Indian Army has ordered 114 Dhanush howitzers of which 18 units has been delivered.[4] First regiment (93 Field Regiment) is operational near Line of Actual Control (LAC).[5] All units expected to be delivered by 2026.[6]

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 supply 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.[7]

ATAGS

In March 2023, The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has given Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 307 DRDO ATAGS for which tender has been issued as well.[8] On 2 May 2024, the gun has completed and passed all the user trials for induction into Indian Army.

Towed Gun System (TGS) tender

The Army also has plans to procure 1,200 155 mm 52-calibre Towed Gun Systems (TGS) in phased manner which will become the mainstay of the Indian Army in the future.[9] The initial order clearance (Acceptance of Necessity) for 400 units was granted on 30 November 2023 by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).[10] On 16 August 2024, Indian Army had issued a tender for the procurement of first batch of 400 units under Indian IDDM category. The tender has a worth of and includes the purchase of towing vehicles. Indian firms like Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd, Larsen & Toubro, Adani Defence & Aerospace and Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL).[11] [12] [13]

The gun system should have the following specifications:

Potential Competitors

  1. KSSL Bharat 52
  2. KSSL MArG ER
  3. OFB Dhanush - Manufactured by AWEIL

Mounted guns

105 mm L/37 mounted guns

The Indian Army has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) through which Indian Army will procure 200 units of 105 mm L/37 mounted howitzers.[14] [15]

In March 2024, the Garuda 106 V2 of KSSL was airdropped by a C-17 Globemaster of Indian Air Force, hinting that the platform is under trials.[16] Potential Competitors

  1. IFG Mk2 SPH (6×6 truck)
  2. KSSL Garuda 105 (4×4 truck)
  3. KSSL Garuda 105 V2 (4×4 AFV)

155 mm L/52 Mounted Gun Systems (MGS)

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has given Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to procure 814 units of 155 mm L/52 calibre Mounted Guns. The guns should have a maximum range of more than 38 km, have a maximum weight of 30 tonnes and should be able to fire all existing 155 mm rounds in Indian Army's inventory.[17]

Potential Competitors

  1. DRDO ATAGS (MGS variant)
  2. OFB Dhanush (MGS variant)
  3. CAESAR
  4. ATMOS 2000
  5. Archer Artillery System

Self-propelled wheeled guns

TBD

Self-propelled tracked guns

In September 2015, the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) selected Hanwha Techwin and Larsen & Toubro as preferred bidder to supply 100 K9 Vajra-T to the Indian Army after K9 outperformed 2S19 Msta-S and passed two-year trial.[18] On 6 July 2016, India agreed in purchasing 100 K9 Vajra-T for $750 million.[19] On 29 March 2017, The Government of India approved budget of $646 million for purchasing 100 K9 Vajra-T.[20] A formal contract of $310 million was signed between Hanwha Techwin and Larsen & Toubro in New Delhi on 21 April. Hanwha Techwin will supply first 10 K9 Vajra-T, and 90 will be license produced in India by Larsen & Toubro.[21]

K9 Vajra-T consist 14 major Indian manufactured systems, 50% of component by value, which include Nub ammunition capable FCS and its storage, communication system, and environment control and NBC protection system. Additional systems were installed such as GPS (Gunner's Primary Sight) for direct firing capability, and South African APU, which was proven for desert operation—Korean APU was under development phase during Indian trial. The vehicle's overall design was modified to suitable for operation in desert and high temperature condition, including the change of firing rate to 3 rounds in 30 seconds.[22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

The Indian Army completed high altitude trials at Ladakh under cold climatic conditions.[27] After satisfactory performance at high altitude terrain, the MoD is getting ready to place repeat order of 200 K9 Vajra-T worth ₹9,600 crore.[28] The new batch will equip enhanced engine suited for high altitude operation, and is expected to complete delivery by 2028.[29] The proposal for first 100 units was cleared on 27 September 2022.[30] In February 2023, Hanwha received an order for 100 vehicles.[31] Additional order for 100 units are planned. In May 2024, a report suggested, another 100 units of the gun would be cleared after the formation of a new government after 2024 Indian general election.[32] [33]

Ultra-light Howitzers

See main article: M777 howitzer. After three years of searching and negotiations, India ordered M777 155 mm L/39 ultra-light howitzer from USA in September 2013.[34]

The Indian Army first announced plans to acquire 145 guns for,[35] but purchase plans were overtaken when the procurement process was restarted in July 2010. India's Ministry of Defence cleared the proposal for buying 145 guns for US$660 million on 11 May 2012 through the US Government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process.[36] This was put up before the Ministry of Finance for clearance and will subsequently be taken up by the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval.[37] [38] On 2 August 2013, India requested the sale of 145 M777 howitzers for US$885 million.[39] On 24 February 2014 the purchase was again postponed.[40] On 11 May 2014 the purchase was cleared by India's Ministry of Defence.[41] On 11 July 2014, the Government of India announced that it would not order the guns because of cost issues.[42] On 22 November 2014, the selection process was restarted under the "Make In India" program.[43] On 13 May 2015, the Ministry of Defence approved ₹29 billion (₹2,900 crore) to buy 145 M777 ultralight howitzers from the US.[44] On 15 December 2015, the Indian Ministry of Defence said it was keen on placing a follow-up order of 500 more M777 guns.[45]

On 26 June 2016, it was announced that 145 guns will be purchased by India for US$750 million.[46] The Indian government completed the deal on 30 November 2016.[47] Under the agreement, BAE Systems was to supply 25 ready-built howitzers, while 120 guns were to be manufactured in India by Mahindra Defence Systems Limited.[48] A total of 7 artillery regiments are planned, each of 18 guns. The first regiment was planned to be raised by end-2020 with 15 guns supplied by BAE systems and three guns supplied by Mahindra Defense Systems Limited.[49]

The Indian Army received its first shipment comprising two howitzers on 18 May 2017 in New Delhi from United States in ready to use condition.[50] [51] It was reported that on 2 September 2017, the barrel of one of the howitzers was damaged while firing during calibration trials.[52] [53] The procurement of 145 guns was completed by 2023.[54]

The Indian army used the M777 howitzer in the Himvijay exercise (2021) in Arunachal Pradesh which involved the newly raised integrated battle groups.[55]

In July 2020, in the wake of escalating tension with China in light of hostile Chinese posturing, particularly on the border between the Union Territory of Ladakh and Tibet, further purchases of Excalibur shells were announced by the Indian Ministry of Defence.[56] Discussions began in 2023 between India and the United States to develop an extended range of the M777 howitzer called as the M777 (ER), with India planning to upgrade all its M777 guns to this standard.[54]

References

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