Source : IgMp Bureau
The Indian Army has issued Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the 155/52 Towed Gun System (TGS) along with Gun Towing Vehicles. The maximum combat weight of TGS is 15,000 kg. Dhanush 52 from the Ordinance Factory & Bharat 52 from the Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) are likely contenders for the same.
Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 155 mm/ 52 Cal Towed Gun System (TGS) alongwith Gun Towing Vehicles has been accorded by the Competent Authority to be procured under Buy (lndian-IDDM) under provisions of Chapter II of DAP 2020.
Indian Army asked Interested Indian vendors to apply for the RFP on the Army website itself.
AoN Details
The broad details in respect of 155 mm/ 52 Cal Towed Gun System (TGS) alongwith Gun Towing Vehicles are as under:-
(a) Calibre. 155 mm. (b) Barrel Length. 52 Calibre.
(b) Maximum Combat Weight. <15,000 Kg.
(c) Service Life. Not less than 20 years.
(d) Maximum Range. More than > 40 Km.
(e) Minimum Range. 5 Km in High Angle.
(f) Ammunition Compatibility. The gun system must be able to fire all in-service 155 mm ammunition.
(g) Barrel Life. Minimum 1500 Equivalent Full Charge (EFC).
Indian Army has already committed to procure 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) designed by DRDO and manufactured by Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd and TATA Advanced Systems Ltd. ATAGS is currently undergoing pre production user trials under the supervision of the Indian Army, DRDO and the two private defence manufacturers involved in this project.
But the problem with ATAGS was its heavyweight, which affects its mobility, and after closely monitoring Ukraine war, Indian Army has decided to go for more Mounted Gun System, Self Propelled Artilleries instead of Towed artilleries, which was heavily damaged in the war of Ukraine, due to their slow movement. That’s why the Indian Army raised a new request to develop a Towed Gun that is lightweight but almost equal to firepower of ATAGS, or at least close to ATAGS, and capable of moving fast for changing its location to safeguard itself from enemy counterattack.
The Dhanush 52 is an upgraded 155 mm/52 calibre gun derived from the original Dhanush 155mm/45 calibre gun, which has already been inducted into the Indian Army artillery regiment and deployed near China border, and this gun is designed and developed by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) which can now fire up to 42 kilometres (26 mi) with ordinary shells. Dhanush weighs less than 14,000 kilograms (31,000 lb) which will be an important factor into considering it for this requirement of the Indian Army 155/52 Towed Gun System (TGS). The newly upgraded gun has double baffle muzzle brake and retractable barrel. The upgraded Dhanush successfully completed the testing phase. This gun can also fire ramjet powered artillery shell upto 60km range, which is under development by DRDO.
While the 2nd contestant the Bharat 52 is a 155mm, 52 caliber towed howitzer manufactured by Bharat Forge, a subsidiary of Kalyani Group. Bharat-52 is a long-range gun system that has been completely designed and developed in India. It is designed to operate in all weather conditions and has super maneuverability on all terrains. Bharat-52 is being considered by the Indian Army to fulfill its requirements for towed howitzers. Bharat-52 can fire upto 41 km with normal artillery shells, and upto 50-60 kms with ramjet powered artillery shell just like AWEIL’s Dhanush 52 gun. Bharat-52 gun of Kalyani group weighs 15,000 kg, matching the requirement of the Indian Army, although Indian Army mentioned the requirement to be below 15,000 kg weight gun. Now it is to be seen whether the Dhanush 52 will have an edge over the Kalyani group’s Bharat-52 as Dhanush-52 weighs less than 14,000 kg, which is perfect to meet the Indian Army requirement.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced or no information from this article should be used without written permission of theigmp.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copyright strikes, if we find same informations or the entire article without our permission, we will take necessary action.
