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Indian Army Soldier Firing a Dhanush Howitzer
by Debojyoti Kumar
It is common knowledge that cross border firing by Pakistan has become a routine affair and to retaliate our armed forces normally use light caliber weapons and on rare occasions mortar shells. But let us examine a scenario if the forces can use an unconventional or radical attack mode to scotch such attacks. The possibility of using the Astra Air Defense System (ADS) directed at an incoming high speed hostile projectile or aircraft launched by a 155/45 Caliber Howitzer may not be a far fetched idea, but developing such a technology would be a challenging task for our scientists, but it is achievable, as gun launched anti-tank missiles has been deployed by many countries. Examples are the U.S.- German prototype MBT-70, the French AMX-13, the Israeli Merkava (capable of firing the LAHAT) and several Soviet/Russian and Ukrainian Types such as the T-64, T-72, T-80, T-84, and T-90.
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Astra ADS is by far one of the most complex missile technologies developed by DRDO, this singular attribute has contributed to its long development time, as sophisticated technologies had to be validated to evaluate its aero-dynamics, overall design configuration and engagement envelopes. Astra is designed to be capable of engaging targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets (up to 20 km) and long-range targets (up to 80 km) using alternative propulsion modes. The missile will provide the required rapid breaching system to the armed forced to thwart any hostile airborne threats as the Asrta travels at a speed of 2.6 Machto an altitude of more than 4 km in just 4.45 seconds and this is very quick time indeed. Its terminal active radar-seeker with an updated mid-course internal guidance system to locate and tracks targets will ensure a credible kill probability.
The underlying advantage of having such a system is its reaction time. This essentially signifies that the launch of Astra by a Howitzer will decrease the reaction time from the adversary considerably. This also will also reduce the risk of having our fighter jets placed close to our borders which could run the risk of attracting potential enemy fire.
The Bofors Howitzers proved it mettle in the Kargil conflict with Pakistan, deploying Howitzers close to our borders, more so in the mountainous regions, should not be difficult proposition as Howitzers are relatively small systems which can transported by either the Chinooks (an impending acquisition) or other heavy-lift helicopters in IAF's fleet. Howitzers has a negligible signature and would be difficult systems to target by the enemy. Howitzers offers rapid displacement with high mobility and survivability.
OFB Dhanush Artillery Guns
The battery should be supported by an efficient radar system, ideally long range radars has to be in place for the concept to work effectively. Synchronization of command and control parameters of Aakash ADS, the S-400 Triumf or the Barak 8 MDS with Astra and the Howitzers can enable determination of the launch angle and direction of the launch to the target.
Both the Public and Private sectors can be engaged to fasttrack the development of such a system as some of the technologies has alreadybeen developed by OFB & DRDO.
Your views/opinions on this radical approach would be most welcome.
Debojyoti Kumar is an avid Defence enthusiast and a great IDN fan. This interesting piece was written by him exclusively for IDN.
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IDN TAKE: Enhancing Border Defence Capacity With Missiles Launched From Howitzers, A Matter of Debate | Indian Defence News
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