Dhanush’ 1st indigenous long-range artillery gun inducted into Indian Army

Dhanush, the first indigenous long-range artillery gun was inducted into the Indian Army on Monday. The 155mm calibre artillery gun was manufactured by the Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory.

For long Indian defense establishment was import oriented which made them dependent but not now.Indian Army’s artillery modernisation programme, which suffered delay for nearly three decades, finally appears to be inching towards its goal.

After the induction of M-777 ultra-light howitzers, its time for country’s first indigenously designed and developed Dhanush gun which on Monday was handed over to Indian army.

This expected to add more firepower to the armed forces. Dhanush Gun system can be employed in all types of terrain and is one of the new generation towed artillery gun system better upgraded features over the existing Bofors. Its mechanical upgrade results in extending firing range upto 38km.

Ajay Kumar, Secretary Defense, was ecstatic with the gun system and said that the challenge is now to produce 60 guns per year.

Army plans to buy 114 guns initially. The weapon is the first long-range artillery gun to be produced in India and is a major success story of the ‘Make in India’ initiative and the gun system currently has 81 percent indigenous content which opens the gateway for future production and ease of maintenance of the gun.