Source : Indian Defence Analysis
Artilleries are the god of war and added shoot and scoot capability, they become almost invincible. Indian Army has a plan to acquire the 814 Mounted Gun system as part of its Field Artillery Rationalization Program (FARP). In April 2021, the Indian Army released an RFI for the procurement of a 155MM/52 CALIBRE MOUNTED GUN SYSTEM. On 22nd December 2022, the DAC accorded approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 24 Capital Acquisition Proposals in which the Mounted Gun System was also included. On 9th February 2023, the Indian Army released AoN for the procurement case – 155MM/52 caliber mounted gun system (MGS). The Army is expecting an MGS with a maximum combat weight of 30,000 kg, maximum range of 38 km, and minimum range of 5 km at a high angle.
DRDO’s Mounted Gun System
Based on this requirement of the Army, DRDO along with the Kalyani group has started the development of a 155 mm/52 caliber mounted gun system (MGS). This gun system has a maximum range of 45 km is based on BEML Next Gen. 8×8 High Mobility Vehicle which gives it shoot-and-scoot capability.
DRDO test fired 155MM/52 Caliber MGS, which outperformed Israeli ATMOS & French CEASER
The 8×8 high mobility vehicle has been integrated with a stabilization system for providing stability during firing. The State-of-the-art systems like a blast-resistant cabin, leg-type electro-mechanical stabilizers, automatic ammunition handling system, on-board silent electric power system, integrated electronic controller, RLG-based navigation system, integrated fire control system, etc., have been integrated into the MGS.
The indigenously developed MGS is at par with the contemporary systems available worldwide and can fire 155 mm NATO standard ammunition. After the design and development of the system, to ascertain the mobility parameters, technical trials were conducted at NCAT (VRDE) and also on beaten dessert track and cross country track at Pohran Field Firing Ranges (PFFR).
All the designed parameters were achieved during these trials. Firing trials of MGS were carried out at Pohran Field Firing Ranges (PFFR), during September 2023. Various tests viz. Minimum and Maximum Range Firing, Series I & II – Consistency Firing, Arc of Fire, and Direct Firing were carried out during the trials at various Sectors of PFFR. All the tests were conducted considering various firing angles in elevation & azimuth and also all Zones of firing.
The MGS has outperformed all the mounted gun system in its category. The DRDO’s MGS has a power-to-weight ratio of 10.15 while Israel’s ATMOS has 8.09 and French CEASER 9.88. The MGS can fire at a maximum range of 45km, but ATMOS can fire at a range between 30-41 km and Ceaser between 42-55 km. The CAESAR’s 55 km figure is attained with a rocket-assisted projectile. With ERFB-BB rounds MGS outperforms all similar category guns around the world.
