Indian Army conducted trials of Indigenous Artillery Gun System Dhanush in the Himalayas

The Indian Army is successfully conducted the user-validation trials of indigenous artillery gun Dhanush in the Himalayas so that they are ready to be inducted into the Army.

• The exercise is being conducted under the aegis of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps and the Leh-based 14 Corps. The 15 Corps is tasked to face Pakistan while the 14 Corps is tasked to face Pakistan as well as China.
• A total of six guns are being tested-fired in snow and in conditions where temperatures are at minus 10 degrees. With the successful test-firing the Ordnance Factory Board will start its bulk production.

About Dhanush

Dhanush is an indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) developed by DRDO along with Kalyani Group, Tata Power and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB). It was developed to replace the older guns with advanced ones.

• The ordnance Factory board is an organisation under the Ministry of Defence. It first unveiled the Indian version of the gun in February 2014 and handed it over to the Army for intensive tests.
• The first three guns of the production-level prototype underwent four-month trial from June to September 2016. After that three more other guns were added to test the entire lot in high-altitude winter conditions.
• Dhanush 155 MM/45 calibre gun is based on the 1980s’ Bofors FH-77B/39 Calibre artillery gun design. It is aided by the transfer of technology (ToT) clause signed with the Swedish company.
• A 45 Calibre towed gun system is capable of targeting at long ranges with autonomous laying features and one of the most sophisticated suites of electronic and computing systems in the world.
• The gun is two ton lighter than guns in the same category and is designed to provide better accuracy and range and is capable of firing five successive rounds in short duration.
• The development of the gun is going to take three years and three more years for the trials to be completed. The production of the gun is expected to start in 2019.
• The weapon has got maximum range greater than 8 to 10 Kms in comparison to the existing in-service 155mm x 39 Cal Bofors Guns with better accuracy.
• It is a ‘Make in India’ effort with more than 80% indigenous items and can fire all types of ammunition available with Indian Army.