Indian Artillery Systems

[navtrek]

Pakistan should also proceed in this direction and buy mortar systems

NO buddy why buy just coz we bought it. PA will have its own requirements.

 

[navtrek]

wow, so this is what army wants............cool

Not really what we need to is build an indigenous on

 

[Chanakyaa]

Artillery is a military combat arm that employs weapons capable of discharging large projectiles in combat. They are generally capable of adding considerable fire power to the military capability of an armed force. Artillery is also a system of scientific research and its application towards design, capability and combat use of the above matériel.

Over the course of military history the projectiles were manufactured from a wide variety of materials, made in a wide variety of shapes, and used different means of inflicting physical damage and casualties to defeat specific types of targets. The engineering designs of the means of delivery have likewise changed significantly over time, and have become some of the most complex technological application today.

Here is a List of Artillary Systems Employed by The Indian Forces ::

1. Haubits FH77/A

Haubits 77 (Field Howitzer 77 or FH77) is a Swedish 155 mm howitzer. It was developed and manufactured by Bofors. It was available in two versions, the original (sometimes referred to as Haubits 77 A) with a sliding block mechanism, and the later FH77 B export version with an interrupted screw breech.




Though the price was low the Swedish Arms Administration found the high maintenance costs, the low rate of fire and the not so good mobility of the M109 made it worth the effort to develop a domestic howitzer.

The requirements for a new gun would be:

* High mobility.
* High momentary rate of fire.

The result was a compromise between a more expensive Self propelled howitzer and a less mobile conventional towed howitzer.

The FH77 was the first field howitzer featuring an APU to make it self-propelled for tactical movement.

The rate of fire was, at the time, exceptionally high for a 155 mm howitzer. The FH77 could fire 3 rounds in 8 seconds, or 6 rounds in 25 seconds. In a sustained firing role it could fire 6 rounds every second minute for 20 minutes.






Quantity in Indian Army = 410

2. Soltam M68

The M-68 is a 155 mm 33 calibre towed gun howitzer manufactured by Soltam, Israel. The barrel of the M-68 is 5.18 m long and comes with a simple muzzle brake at the mouth of the barrel, the recoil mechanism of the two pneumatic cylinder jacks is positioned on the back-end of the barrel.

Based on the Finnish designed 122 K 60 and 155 K 68 cannon series. It was first developed in the mid 1960s by the Finnish company Tampella. Twelve Finnish cannons were built between 1970-1975, with more guns later built of later designs. These Tampella gun formed the basis for Soltam's production of the M-68 and later "Tampella series" guns. Before the 155 K 68 (Tampella), the 155HX prototype was shipped to Soltam for trials.[1]

The first prototype was completed in 1968 for trials and evaluations by the IDF, who were satisfied with the performance of the howitzer. Subsequently, an order was placed with Soltam and a production line was initiated in 1970. The gun entered IDF service in time to serve IDF artillery corps during the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

The gun mount chassis, cylinder head and recoil system was to see further use in the next development of this gun—the Soltam M-71, which has a slightly longer barrel (39 calibre) and a compressed air-driven rammer to ease loading.

3. M 46 Howitzer

The 130 mm towed field gun M1954, also known as the M-46 is a manually loaded, towed 130 mm artillery piece, manufactured in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. It was first observed by the west in 1954 and was known as the M1954. There is also a Chinese copy, called Type 59-1.

The caliber length of the gun is 52, which enables the gun to fire long-range projectiles. The gun fires case-type, variable-charge, separate-loading ammunition and it is equipped with night sights for direct fire. When in travel position, the gun is mounted on a two-wheeled split trail carriage.

The M-46 is in operation in at least 25 countries and has been license manufactured in China as the Type 59-1. It has been replaced in Soviet/Russian inventory by the 2A36 Giatsint-B and the self-propelled 2S5 Giatsint-S. The Soviet Union sold 550 guns to India, which India tried to replace with Bofors FH-77B howitzers. This resulted in the Bofors scandal. Several companies, like Soltam and RDM Technology BV have presented upgrade packages for the gun. These include for instance a barrel upgrade to 155 mm with a length caliber of 45.

Quantity in Indian Army = 180

4. 122 mm Howitzer 2A18 (D-30)

The D-30, or 122-mm howitzer D-30 (GRAU index 2A18), is a Soviet howitzer that first entered service in the 1960s. It is a relatively light and handy weapon despite being heavy enough for sustained long range fire in the field. The D-30 has a maximum range of 15.4 kilometers, or over 21 km using RAP ammunition.

With its striking three-leg stabilising system the D-30 can be rapidly traversed through 360 degrees. Although no longer manufactured in FSU nations the D-30 is still manufactured internationally and is in service in more than 60 countries' armed forces.

The 2A18 gun is the primary weapon of the 2S1 self-propelled howitzer. There are also Egyptian, Chinese, and Syrian Self-propelled variants and conversions. The Syrian conversion utilizes the hull of a T-34 tank.

Quantity in Indian Army = 210



5. Bofors 40 mm

The Bofors 40 mm gun is a famous anti-aircraft autocannon designed by the Swedish firm of Bofors. It was one of the most popular medium-weight anti-aircraft systems during World War II, used by most of the western Allies as well as various other forces. It is often referred to simply as the Bofors gun.

The Swedish Navy purchased a number of 2 pounder Pom-Poms from Vickers as anti-aircraft guns in 1922. However the Navy eventually soured on the Pom-Pom and approached Bofors about the development of a more capable replacement.

Bofors was initially reluctant, as the Swedish Navy was a fairly small market, but when the Navy agreed to pay for the development of a prototype a contract was signed in late 1928. Bofors responded with a gun that was, to some extent, a smaller version of a 57 mm (6-pounder) semi-automatic gun developed as an anti-torpedo boat weapon in the late 1900s by Finspong before Bofors drove them out of business. Their first test gun was in fact a re-barreled Nordenfelt version of the Finspong gun, to which was added a semi-automatic loading mechanism.The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.

6. ZSU-23-2

The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.

Quantity in Indian Army = 800

 

[Chanakyaa]

7. PINAKA MBRL

Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the DRDO for the Indian Army. The system has a maximum range of 39-40 km, fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds, neutralizing a target area of 3.9 sq. km. The system is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility.

Pinaka saw service during the Kargil War, where it was successful in neutralizing enemy positions on the mountain tops. It has since been inducted into the Indian Army in large numbers.

Quantity in Indian Army = 80



8. SMERCH MBRL

The BM-30 "Smerch" (Tornado) or 9A52 is a Soviet heavy multiple rocket launcher. The system is designed to defeat manpower, armored and soft-skinned materiel in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was created in the early 1980s and entered service in the Red Army in 1989.[1] When first observed by the West in 1983, it received the code MRL 280mm M1983.

The main components of the RSZO 9K58 "Smerch" system are the following:

* rockets 9M55 or 9M528 (in containers);
* BM 9A52-2 launch vehicle;
* TZM 9T234-2 transloader with a 850kg crane and 12 spare rockets;
* automated fire control equipment in the command post 1K123 "Vivary";
* maintenance vehicle PM-2-70 MTO-V;
* set of arsenal equipment 9F819;
* training facilities 9F827 and 9F840.

The 300mm rockets with a firing range of 70 and 90 km and various warheads have been developed for the Smerch MLRS.

Quantity in Indian Army = 80


9. BM 21

The BM-21 Grad (Russian: БМ-21 "Град") is a Soviet truck-mounted 122-mm multiple rocket launcher, developed in the early 1960s. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, ‘combat vehicle’, and the nickname grad means ‘hail’. In NATO countries, the system was initially known as M1964. Several other countries have copied it or developed similar systems.

 

[Chanakyaa]

10. BHIM SPG ::

11. M777

The M777 howitzer is a towed artillery piece manufactured by BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems division. Prime contract management is based in Barrow-in-Furness in the UK as well as manufacture and assembly of the titanium structures and associated recoil components. Final integration and testing of the weapon is undertaken as BAE's Hattiesburg, Mississippi facility.

It is in the process of replacing the M198 howitzer 155mm towed howitzers in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army. The M777 is also being used by the Canadian Forces, and has been used in action in March 2008 in Afghanistan along with the associated GPS-guided Excalibur ammunition.

PS : M777 added : courtesy - Kinetic.

 

[Kinetic]

Great works Xinix. Put M777 and Bhim as well!

 

[Chanakyaa]

Great works Xinix. Put M777 and Bhim as well!

I missied the M777.
Do u have any link for details of Bhim.. plz PM me or post here.

edit : M777 Added.

 

[desiman]

amazing posting brother, keep it up. Love your "Feel' series

 

[sancho]

Is there any recent and reliable source about Bhim? IA should put a focus on light self propelled Artillery instead of heavy weight, or too many towed systems. These causes to many logistical problems and they should be able to move these around the country as fast as possible. I don't think Bhim will be air transportabel and we know that the Arjun chassis don't fit on the trains, which makes it not really mobile.

Latest developments are going to air transportable lightweight and also wheeled artillery like these:

Swedish Archer Artillery:


A futher developed FH 77 howitzer that IA use in the towed version.


German AGM (Artillery Gun Module):

Which is a lighter version of the PzH 2000, one of the best artillery systems available at the moment, but just like Bhim on basis of a heavy MBT chassis.


The US XM1203 NLOS-C (Non-Line-Of-Sight Cannon):


Which is part of the US Future Combat Systems development, also light, very mobille and can be used by a crew of 2 like all these systems.

 

[Break the Silence]

19/04/2010
Singapore gun arrives; stage set for artillery trials
New Delhi: With artillery having killed more soldiers during the last century than any other battlefield weapon, the decade-plus delay in equipping the Indian Army with modern artillery guns is widely considered a major procurement lapse. The stop-start-stop process of buying 1,580 towed guns for the Indian Army will effectively restart on Monday when a C-130 Hercules aircraft lands in New Delhi, carrying a 155-millimetre artillery gun for trials this summer.
This gun, the Indian Field Howitzer-2000 (IFH-2000), developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics, or STK, is competing for the Indian tender with British company BAE Systems' FH-77B-05, a derivative of the controversial and respected Bofors gun. The lower-profile IFH2000 is the world's first 155mm 52-calibre howitzer, which the Singapore Armed Forces have used for over a decade.
A 52-calibre howitzer fires heavier shells than older, 39-calibre and 45-calibre guns, inflicting greater punishment on the target. The Indian tender for towed guns specifies that only 52-calibre guns will be evaluated.

Trials for procuring 155 mm, 52-calibre towed guns began in summer 2002, when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) began evaluating three guns from BAE Systems; Israeli firm, Soltam; and South African company, Denel. Five rounds of trials, conducted in 2002; 2003; 2004; and 2006; reached no conclusion. Denel was blacklisted for corruption in September 2005; the other two guns did not meet the army's standards.

The trials remain dogged by controversy even after a fresh tender was issued in 2008. Last year, one of the two contenders, STK, was unofficially blacklisted for corruption after the arrest of former Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) chief Sudipta Ghosh. But CBI investigations have made no apparent headway in the past year; not even acharge-sheet has been filed against Sudipta Ghosh. Now, STK has been asked to field its gun for trials.

STK plans to start preparing for the impending trials by practising firing at the Pokhran ranges using Indian ammunition and a crack gun crew of seven former Indian Army artillerymen, recruited by STK's Indian partner, Punj Lloyd Ltd.

The BAE Systems gun, too, is in India, having been brought for the Defence Expo in February and for trials scheduled immediately after that. But those trials were postponed when the IFH2000 was damaged in Singapore while being loaded into an aircraft for despatch to India.

"Punj Lloyd is STK's Indian partner for the 155 mm gun," explains Patrick Choy, STK's international marketing chief. "STK will rely on them for logistics and engineering support during the trials; and if STK is awarded the contract, we will manufacture a substantial part of the gun at Punj Lloyd's facilities near Gwalior." STK's rival in this tender, BAE Systems, has a similar arrangement with its Indian partner, Mahindra & Mahindra. These two companies have formed an Indian joint venture, Defence Land Systems, with Rs 100 crore equity held on a 7426 per cent basis between Mahindra & Mahindra and BAE Systems.

At stake in the forthcoming trials is an order, worth $1.8 billion (about Rs 8,000 crore), for the outright supply of 400 towed guns; and the licensed production in India of another 1,180 guns. If the MoD imposes even the minimum offset requirement of 30 per cent, that would translate into $540 million (about Rs 2,400 crore) worth of manufacture within India.

STK and BAE Systems are also vying for a $700-million (over Rs 3,100 crore) contract for 140 ultralight howitzers (ULHs) for Indian mountain divisions.

Two more artillery purchases are simultaneously in the works: A $800 million (Rs 3,500 crore) order for 100 medium guns, mounted in tracked vehicles, for self-propelled (SP) medium regiments that go into battle with India's strike corps. Another $900 million (Rs 4,000 crore) will buy 180 vehiclemounted guns for more SP regiments.The stakes are high for everyone involved. For BAE Systems, this is an opportunity to bury the stigma of the Bofors scandal; for STK, this is a golden opening into the lucrative Indian market; and for the Indian Army, desperately short of artillery firepower, this is a chance to fill a gaping operational void.

Source: Business Standard

 

[PEACEMAKER2010]

double post

already posted buddy and discussed

source

http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-defence/54862-singapore-gun-arrives-today-stage-set-artillery-trials.html

 

[Break the Silence]

double post

already posted buddy and discussed

source

http://www.defence.pk/forums/india-defence/54862-singapore-gun-arrives-today-stage-set-artillery-trials.html

thanx for info and sorry for reposting..

 

[sudhir007]

LiveFist - The Best of Indian Defence: Indian DG Artillery's Speech Today At The 3rd International Artillery Seminar

Artillery Vision 2027

For the coming next 15 to 20 years, the philosophy of the artillery should continue to achieve “destruction” by synergized orchestration of all available fire power resources provided by variety of agencies cutting across the three services based on a joint targetting doctrine, including effective use of “Fourth Dimension”. Reliance will be placed on use of seamless networking of acquisition means, passage of information, rapid management of heavy volume of data, automated fire control systems and integration of all fire power platforms. In this context, we need to reduce hierarchies in our Battery Command Posts, Regiment Command Posts, Fire Control/Direction Centres and all our information networked Artillery Fire Control and Surveillance systems.

The futuristic artillery platforms should be independent and autonomous firing identities, capable of firing on their own, achieved by introducing automatic alignment, laying and loading of ammunition. These platforms should have matching mobility in case of towed guns, adequate protection in case of self propelled guns, and portability by helicopters and aircrafts in case of light guns. Large operational frontages will dictate platforms capable of achieving longer ranges, which help us in achieving concentrated fire power in preference to concentrating fire power units. However, there should be a balance between mobility and longer range.

The aim of all developments in the field of ammunition should be: (a) Increase lethality by increasing the content of high explosive (HE) and reduce the overall weight of shell by having casing of better metal. (b) Increased density of fire power on target will reduce correspondingly by introduction of PGMs. However, we need to balance the requirement of PGMs and “duds”. (c) Complement long range capability of artillery by introduction of wide variety of ammunition capable of generating varied affects, both lethal and non-lethal. (d) All the above needs to be backed by accuracy, improved target designation and trajectory correction systems.

We should also not gloss over the important aspect of efficient ammunition management in the field, which becomes a crucial battle winning factor rather than the number of tubes available. If two second lines can be handled in 24 hours instead of one, the available artillery will be perhaps twice as effective.

Modernisation of Indian Artillery

Keeping Artillery Vision 2027 in mind, it is imperative that we modernize Indian Artillery systematically to compete with the best in the world. In this regard, it should be well understood by us that while other advanced nations have leapt far ahead in the field of Artillery, we are still lagging behind. We certainly need to catch up, and catch up fast. During the time spectrum of 2010 to 2027, we have to take much longer strides and accelerate our efforts, failing which the gap between the front runners and laggers will be huge, rendering it impossible to be narrowed. Ramifications of such slow progress should not be difficult for this elite gathering to fathom.

Today Artillery is already in the process of major modernisation. Modern delivery means and supporting systems like BRAHMOS Missiles, Smerch long rg rkt sys, Pinaka rkts, UAVs, WLRs and LORROS have either been inducted or in the process of induction.. However, the induction of 155mm/52 Cal guns, Ultra Light Howitzer, Wheeled and Tracked SP guns are not following the desired pace. But, are we not late vis-à-vis other modern Artilleries. Take example of Smerch that has been in Service in Russia since 1990 and we are still inducting it in our Army. The so called modern weapons are, infact, already in the process of replacement in developed countries, whereas we, in some cases are still working on the road map. Such a state is disturbing and most unwarranted, and merits urgent rectification. This seminar is one such positive step to throw up seminal ideas and to speed up our efforts at modernisation.

In the pursuit of modernisation, we must not forget upgradation of our existing equipment to make it somewhat akin to the state of the art, and provide it with extra life. Upgradation of 130mm guns to 155mm 45 cal guns is nearly complete and the upgradation of the 155mm 39 Cal guns is being progressed. Our age old 120mm Mortars also require immediate upgradation and we need to look at long rg mors with enhance rg and precision capabilities.

I am sure, different aspects related to modernisation and upgradation of the Indian Artillery will be deliberated upon in this particular forum and we will come out with viable options to tide over all hurdles and trace out a most befitting roadmap for modernisation.

User, Designer and Manufacturer Interaction

I am very pleased to note that the three main players, i.e. designer, manufacturer and the users have been closely associated with each other and have chosen interactive and coordinated approach towards modernisation. Such concerted and coordinated efforts would surely lead to a technologically modernized Indian Army in a foreseeable future. However, such an approach can only be successful if there is a high degree of understanding amongst the partners. However, this august gathering will agree that such an interactive and well blended pursuit can suffer a great set back if there is an element of ego in any of the partners. To ensure that such an imbroglio does not ever emerge and our efforts are not eroded, there is a need to have more interactive seminars of this nature. In this regard, we have taken the initiative and coordinated this Seminar, which I propose should be conducted more frequently. We all can easily crystal gaze into the enormous merits of such forum, accordingly, we must ensure to continue with such pursuits in future too.

It is prudent to mention that, at times, some of the us, harbour a belief that indigenous designs and manufactured products can not be compared with the best in the world. Such a belief, more often that not, is misplaced. Notwithstanding such an unwarranted presumption, if we, as users, are convinced that some of the foreign industrial establishments have already produced state of the art and technologically advanced equipment, and if it also meets the laid down qualitative requirements, we must subordinate our ego and explore the possibility of buying off the shelf. In any case, the option of acquisition of TOT continues to remain with the users. It is my earnest desire that such an arrangement of procurement must not be viewed negatively by either DRDO or the Indian manufacturers. However, over dependence on import has to be an exception than rule. Over indulgence in only import is fraught with numerous financial and self sufficiency related implications. Options of import and indigenous production must be weighed realistically. We ought to take pride in the fact that we have splendid manufacturing facilities backed with world class designers and scientists.

Conclusion

There is no denying the fact that in a futuristic battlefield, Artillery will be the dominant tactical weapon, because it can respond in seconds, land on the target within minutes, is impervious to weather, never runs out of fuel, provides smoke cover, illuminates targets and suppresses the fires of enemy guns and other lethal weapons.

The Regiment of Artillery has a glorious record of past achievements and we look forward to the future with pride and confidence – confidence in the capabilities of the guns and missiles, confidence in the ability of the man behind the guns to fire them with traditional courage and professional competence.

(Lt Gen KR Rao is the Director General Artillery of the Indian Army. This is an excerpt from the speech he delivered this morning at the 3rd International Artillery Seminar conducted jointly by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, CII and the Regiment of Artillery)

 

[CONNAN]

8ak - Indian Defence News

11 May 2010 8ak: During the Vietnam war (1955-1975), Americans flew over 800 sorties and lost 10 aircraft in trying to destory the Thanh Hoa bridge but could do only peripheral damage which was quickly repaired. This changed when in 1972, the Americans came back with 12 Phantoms of which 8 were carrying laser guided bombs and successfully destroyed the bridge. (See Eglin and Wikipedia). According to P.G. Gillespie, in America's Rolling Thunder campaign (Vietnam 1965-68), F-105s with conventional munitions achieved an average accuracy of about 450 feet with only 6% direct hits.

Pointing to this background on May 10 at CII's 3rd International Seminar on Artillery Technology, Brig (Retd) Gurmeet Kanwal, Director, Centre for Land Warfare Studies pointed out that the U.S. has since invested in precision guided munitions (PGMs) and so they today represent 80% of munitions used in war. Defense update states that in Operation Iraqi Freedom which started in 2003 "Around 66% of US munitions and up to 85% of RAF munitions used during OIF were precision guided, either by Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or by laser or both. This demonstrates a huge leap forward in capability since the 1991 conflict, when the proportion of precision guided munitions was around 30% of US and 18% of RAF weapons were guided." In an earlier presentation, General V.K. Singh, Chief of the Army Staff, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, ADC said that "Gone are the days when during an artillery attack, the safest place to be was at the target."

Given the increasing importance of artillery Brig. Kanwal said that it is shocking to note that less than 1% of India's munition stockpile is precision guided. He said that despite India's decisive victory in Kargil 1999 being attributed, in part, to Indian artillery superiority with the Bofors guns, the Indian Army has failed to modernise its artillery regiments. While hinting at the DPP 2008 as being part of the blame, people 8ak spoke to said that it is also the fault of the Indian army. If it was purely a Ministry of Defence (MoD) and procurement process issue, why is it that the Navy is constantly rolling out new ships with the latest technologies when it has to operate under the same conditions?

Brig. Kanwal stated that picking up the slack in artillery modernisation is urgent because according to him there is an 80-90% probability that India's next war will be in the mountains and a 60-70% probability that it will remain restricted to the mountains. Explaining this he said that deep strikes in to India's neighbouring territories would risk flying over (secret) nuclear installations which would initiate a retaliation that would escalate the war to a level undesirable to either country.

Totalling US$8 billion, India has possibly the largest military modernisation program in the world. On Monday, 24 May 2010, 8ak will release a report on "Challenges in India's Artillery Modernisation Program" that will follow on from the conference and a report from Religare Advisory Services. For more information and to order a copy of the report, please click here.

2 presenters at the conference quoted Napoleon, "God fights on the side with the best artillery"

 

[sudhir007]

Artillery gun trials from month-end idrw.org

The shortage of artillery guns in the Army is to be a thing of the past. Field trials to test the guns of two of the worlds leading gun-makers will commence at the shooting ranges in Rajasthan at the end of this month.

According to sources in the Defence Ministry, a 155-mm gun, which is the backbone of artillery, has to be purchased immediately. One of the two guns, meeting the general staff qualitative requirement (GSQR), has to be selected and there will be no waiting. The selection system would be transparent, sources said.

Since 2002, India has conducted trials for the 155-mm gun at least four times. However, each time the nation has shied away from purchasing the gun. The shadow of the AB Bofors gun deal done in late 1980’s loomed large and held back the bureaucracy and politicos from taking a decision, maintains a top source.

Trials will be conducted in deserts and mountains. The summer phase could start anytime between May 25 and 30. The maximum daytime temperature will play a major role in making that decision as the gun has to be tested for withstanding heat. The Army needs around 1,580 155-mm guns and is looking at a 52 calibre bore — that is heavier and fires longer than the 39 calibre being used now.

The guns being considered for the purpose are IFH-2000, developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics. The company has Punj Lloyd as its Indian partner. Its competitor is British company BAE Systems’ FH-77B-05. They have Mahindra and Mahindra as their Indian partner. The guns of both companies have reached India and are ready to fire. Notably, the BAE has bought over the Swedish gun-maker AB Bofors and now owns that technology.

Chief of Indian Army Gen VK Singh elaborated on the urgency and importance of the artillery guns this morning saying “… battlefield environment of the future may entail short, swift and violent engagement … warfare requires application of firepower extending into the depth of enemy territory”. He was speaking at the start of two-day seminar on artillery technology organised by the Centre for Land Warfare Studies