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Indian artillery roles reflect a shift in doctrine. Pravin Sawhney
reports
India's military planners are at the centre of a major doctrinal
shift that has been influenced by the possible nuclear capabilities
of India and Pakistan and the imminent introduction of ballistic
missiles into the Indian artillery.
The ability to inflict attrition has now assumed a greater
importance than manoeuvre in the Indian Army's doctrinal thinking.
Instead of seeking deep thrusts with mechanised forces, senior
officers are developing a doctrine which combines maximum attrition
of enemy forces, limited manoeuvre and attacks on strategic and
operational targets. As firepower is central to attrition, there is
a growing dependence on artillery.
ln operational terms the role of the artillery is being redefined
from a combat support arm to a combat arm. The artillery has
traditionally been employed to support infantry and armoured forces.
India's artillery will now have a more balanced policy between
direct support and counter-bombardment and will be employed on
independent operational taskings. Artillery can easily be switched
between a general support role and close support of the tactical
battle.
This has spurred the introduction of "strike complexes". This is a
Soviet Russian Army concept that was put to good use by the US Army
and other coalition forces during the 1990-91 Gulf War. Fire
planning is done on the basis of four to six artillery brigades. To
bring this concept on-line the Indian Army's first artillery
division will become operational in December.
Given the evolution of the artillery within the army's operational
thinking it was decided that the Regiment of Artillery, the umbrella
organisation to which all operational artillery regiments belonged,
was becoming unmanageable and no longer necessary. Its units have
been divided between the Field Artillery; the Corps of Air Defence
Artillery (CADA) formed in January 1994; and the Army Aviation Corps
(AAC), formed in November 1993. The Field Artillery with about 190
regiments retains the largest chunk of the distributed assets, but
no longer accounts for one-sixth of the 1.2 million-strong army.
In addition to its new role, the organisation and employment of
artillery has been influenced by four other considerations:
- The changes in potential targets in Pakistan as linear defences
and supporting field works along the border with India are heavily
reinforced with concrete fortifications. A successful engagement of
hardened defences is possible only with heavier calibre shells with
high terminal velocities.
- The expansion of mechanised forces within the armies of India and
Pakistan has underscored the need for larger calibre artillery
systems and higher rates of fire.
- A determination to reduce the logistics complexities of operating
guns of 14 different calibres through a programme of rationalisation.
- The development of better roads and tracks in India's mountains
means that many mountain guns can be dispensed with although some
systems which can be transported by pack animals will be retained.
The guiding philosophy of the Field Artillery is to standardise the
calibre of weapons in service and to seek ammunition compatibility
with guns of the same calibre but from different countries of
origin.
The Field Artillery has in service:
- One regiment each of 7.2 in and 5.5 in guns for general support;
both weapons are expected to be taken out of service by 1998.
- The Bofors 155 mm FH-77B howitzer is used for general support and
counter-bombardment. This weapon is also deployed in the mountains
with six howitzers in Siachen and an 18-weapon regiment in both
Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 410 FH-77s against a
projected requirement of over 2,000 were procured in 1986. The
programme came into disrepute because of alleged bribes to
politicians.
- The towed 130 mm M-46 field gun and the 130 mm Catapult
self-propelled gun (which equips only one regiment) are used for
close support and general support and for counter battery fire.
India procured about 400 Russian M-46s between 1992-95 for around
Rs100,000 ($2,800) apiece. The Field Artillery now has 720 M-46s in
36 regiments and plans to have 60 regiments equipped by 2000.
- The 122 mm D-30 towed howitzer is used for close support by
regiments deployed on India's plains.
- Many regiments now equipped with the 105 mm Indian Field Gun are
earmarked to convert to the M-46.
- The 105 mm Light Field Gun equips regiments deployed in the
mountains. - The last regiment of 105 mm Abbot self-propelled guns
will soon be phased out.
- The 75 mm Pack Gun-Howitzer is used to provide close support in
mountainous regions. While the splinter effect of its shells is
greater than the 25 pounder gun its effect on defensive positions is
unsatisfactory.
- The 160 mm M58 Tampella heavy mortar is now only used by one
regiment and is expected to be phased out by next year. The Field
Artillery is also equipped with the 120 mm AM-50 Brand smoothbore
which can be used to a range of 9,000 m with PEPA/LP extended range
ammunition.
Under the Field Artillery's rationalisation plan towed artillery
will be based primarily on the 130 mm M46, the 155 mm FH-77B and a
select number of M46s upgraded to 155 mm calibre. Three contenders
are offering to undertake upgrades: India's own Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO); Soltam of Israel; and the Russians
who have offered to supply 152 mm systems upgraded to 155 mm. Senior
Field Artillery officers prefer the Israeli offer, while the
government also wants to look at Russian systems. The Israeli
modification has been tested. The modification kit, which can be
fitted at the army's base workshops, has a semi-automatic breech and
no change in the M46's recoil system is required. With extended
range ammunition the modified system has a range of 39 km. Moreover,
with a different range and elevation table, the modified weapon can
fire the same ammunition as the Bofors FH-77B.
Divisional artillery deployed on India's plains is expected to have
a mix of 130 mm and 155 mm systems. This could be a combination of
three 130 mm regiments and one regiment of 155 mm guns or two
regiments of each calibre, depending both on threat perceptions and
whether the division is intended to be employed for offensive or
defensive operations. The 105 mm Light Field Gun, which is of
limited effectiveness in offensive operations or against concrete
bunkers, will continue to be employed in the mountains.
With the phasing out of the 105 mm Abbot and the 130 mm Catapult the
Field Artillery requires a new self- propelled system. Last year
four systems were tested on Indian-made T-72 MBT chassis. The
systems were: the French Giat Industries 155 mm/40 cal GCT turret;
the Slovakian ZTS 155 mm/45 cal Zuzana turret; the South African LIW
155 mm/52 cal T6 turret and the UK VSEL 155 mm AS90 turret with both
39 and 52 cal ordnance. It now appears the army favours purchasing
six to nine regiments of Russian 152 mm self-propelled systems with
an option for upgrading them to 155 mm calibre. Although this means
introducing yet another calibre when standard- isation is being
sought the army appreciates that the government's support for the
programme has been weakened because of budget constraints and is
anxious for a cheap solution.
There is complete ammunition compatibility for the army's 105 mm
systems. Local production of 105 mm HESH and a 130 mm anti-tank
round is underway. Production has also begun of 155 mm HE
ammunition. Attention is focused on producing extended range 155 mm
ammunition and carrier shells. The main problem is expected in the
manufacture of fuzes for 155 mm ammunition. However, indigenous
electronic time fuzes for the 75 mm, 105 mm and 130 mm shell have
been produced.
The Soviet-designed 122 mm BM-21 Grad is the only multiple rocket
launcher (MRL) used by the Field Artillery. With a range of 20.4 km
it is used for general support and counter battery missions. The
Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed
the 212 mm 12 barrel Pinaka MRL with a range of 40 km. The system is
in an advanced stage of user trials and is expected to enter service
next year. Ammunition for the Grad is produced in India and a 100 kg
warhead has been produced for the Pinaka's 212 mm rocket.
Development of an HE fragmentation warhead and a cluster submunition
is underway.
The Field Artillery's longest range weapon is the Prithvi SS-150
surface-to-surface missile which is to equip the newly formed 333
Missile Group stationed at Secunderabad. The missile has a range of
150 km with a 1,000 kg payload.
Among specialised equipment for the Field Artillery's new role, top
priority is procurement of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), a few of
which are being purchased from Israel. The UAV command posts will be
co-located with the divisional and/or corps counter-bombardment
command posts. As the procurement of artillery locating radars is
not a high priority with the government, the Field Artillery is
seeking better means for target analysis and standardisation of maps
and computer-based C{2} systems.
* Pravin Sawhney is a visiting Fellow at the Royal United Services
Institute, London.
reports
India's military planners are at the centre of a major doctrinal
shift that has been influenced by the possible nuclear capabilities
of India and Pakistan and the imminent introduction of ballistic
missiles into the Indian artillery.
The ability to inflict attrition has now assumed a greater
importance than manoeuvre in the Indian Army's doctrinal thinking.
Instead of seeking deep thrusts with mechanised forces, senior
officers are developing a doctrine which combines maximum attrition
of enemy forces, limited manoeuvre and attacks on strategic and
operational targets. As firepower is central to attrition, there is
a growing dependence on artillery.
ln operational terms the role of the artillery is being redefined
from a combat support arm to a combat arm. The artillery has
traditionally been employed to support infantry and armoured forces.
India's artillery will now have a more balanced policy between
direct support and counter-bombardment and will be employed on
independent operational taskings. Artillery can easily be switched
between a general support role and close support of the tactical
battle.
This has spurred the introduction of "strike complexes". This is a
Soviet Russian Army concept that was put to good use by the US Army
and other coalition forces during the 1990-91 Gulf War. Fire
planning is done on the basis of four to six artillery brigades. To
bring this concept on-line the Indian Army's first artillery
division will become operational in December.
Given the evolution of the artillery within the army's operational
thinking it was decided that the Regiment of Artillery, the umbrella
organisation to which all operational artillery regiments belonged,
was becoming unmanageable and no longer necessary. Its units have
been divided between the Field Artillery; the Corps of Air Defence
Artillery (CADA) formed in January 1994; and the Army Aviation Corps
(AAC), formed in November 1993. The Field Artillery with about 190
regiments retains the largest chunk of the distributed assets, but
no longer accounts for one-sixth of the 1.2 million-strong army.
In addition to its new role, the organisation and employment of
artillery has been influenced by four other considerations:
- The changes in potential targets in Pakistan as linear defences
and supporting field works along the border with India are heavily
reinforced with concrete fortifications. A successful engagement of
hardened defences is possible only with heavier calibre shells with
high terminal velocities.
- The expansion of mechanised forces within the armies of India and
Pakistan has underscored the need for larger calibre artillery
systems and higher rates of fire.
- A determination to reduce the logistics complexities of operating
guns of 14 different calibres through a programme of rationalisation.
- The development of better roads and tracks in India's mountains
means that many mountain guns can be dispensed with although some
systems which can be transported by pack animals will be retained.
The guiding philosophy of the Field Artillery is to standardise the
calibre of weapons in service and to seek ammunition compatibility
with guns of the same calibre but from different countries of
origin.
The Field Artillery has in service:
- One regiment each of 7.2 in and 5.5 in guns for general support;
both weapons are expected to be taken out of service by 1998.
- The Bofors 155 mm FH-77B howitzer is used for general support and
counter-bombardment. This weapon is also deployed in the mountains
with six howitzers in Siachen and an 18-weapon regiment in both
Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 410 FH-77s against a
projected requirement of over 2,000 were procured in 1986. The
programme came into disrepute because of alleged bribes to
politicians.
- The towed 130 mm M-46 field gun and the 130 mm Catapult
self-propelled gun (which equips only one regiment) are used for
close support and general support and for counter battery fire.
India procured about 400 Russian M-46s between 1992-95 for around
Rs100,000 ($2,800) apiece. The Field Artillery now has 720 M-46s in
36 regiments and plans to have 60 regiments equipped by 2000.
- The 122 mm D-30 towed howitzer is used for close support by
regiments deployed on India's plains.
- Many regiments now equipped with the 105 mm Indian Field Gun are
earmarked to convert to the M-46.
- The 105 mm Light Field Gun equips regiments deployed in the
mountains. - The last regiment of 105 mm Abbot self-propelled guns
will soon be phased out.
- The 75 mm Pack Gun-Howitzer is used to provide close support in
mountainous regions. While the splinter effect of its shells is
greater than the 25 pounder gun its effect on defensive positions is
unsatisfactory.
- The 160 mm M58 Tampella heavy mortar is now only used by one
regiment and is expected to be phased out by next year. The Field
Artillery is also equipped with the 120 mm AM-50 Brand smoothbore
which can be used to a range of 9,000 m with PEPA/LP extended range
ammunition.
Under the Field Artillery's rationalisation plan towed artillery
will be based primarily on the 130 mm M46, the 155 mm FH-77B and a
select number of M46s upgraded to 155 mm calibre. Three contenders
are offering to undertake upgrades: India's own Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO); Soltam of Israel; and the Russians
who have offered to supply 152 mm systems upgraded to 155 mm. Senior
Field Artillery officers prefer the Israeli offer, while the
government also wants to look at Russian systems. The Israeli
modification has been tested. The modification kit, which can be
fitted at the army's base workshops, has a semi-automatic breech and
no change in the M46's recoil system is required. With extended
range ammunition the modified system has a range of 39 km. Moreover,
with a different range and elevation table, the modified weapon can
fire the same ammunition as the Bofors FH-77B.
Divisional artillery deployed on India's plains is expected to have
a mix of 130 mm and 155 mm systems. This could be a combination of
three 130 mm regiments and one regiment of 155 mm guns or two
regiments of each calibre, depending both on threat perceptions and
whether the division is intended to be employed for offensive or
defensive operations. The 105 mm Light Field Gun, which is of
limited effectiveness in offensive operations or against concrete
bunkers, will continue to be employed in the mountains.
With the phasing out of the 105 mm Abbot and the 130 mm Catapult the
Field Artillery requires a new self- propelled system. Last year
four systems were tested on Indian-made T-72 MBT chassis. The
systems were: the French Giat Industries 155 mm/40 cal GCT turret;
the Slovakian ZTS 155 mm/45 cal Zuzana turret; the South African LIW
155 mm/52 cal T6 turret and the UK VSEL 155 mm AS90 turret with both
39 and 52 cal ordnance. It now appears the army favours purchasing
six to nine regiments of Russian 152 mm self-propelled systems with
an option for upgrading them to 155 mm calibre. Although this means
introducing yet another calibre when standard- isation is being
sought the army appreciates that the government's support for the
programme has been weakened because of budget constraints and is
anxious for a cheap solution.
There is complete ammunition compatibility for the army's 105 mm
systems. Local production of 105 mm HESH and a 130 mm anti-tank
round is underway. Production has also begun of 155 mm HE
ammunition. Attention is focused on producing extended range 155 mm
ammunition and carrier shells. The main problem is expected in the
manufacture of fuzes for 155 mm ammunition. However, indigenous
electronic time fuzes for the 75 mm, 105 mm and 130 mm shell have
been produced.
The Soviet-designed 122 mm BM-21 Grad is the only multiple rocket
launcher (MRL) used by the Field Artillery. With a range of 20.4 km
it is used for general support and counter battery missions. The
Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation has developed
the 212 mm 12 barrel Pinaka MRL with a range of 40 km. The system is
in an advanced stage of user trials and is expected to enter service
next year. Ammunition for the Grad is produced in India and a 100 kg
warhead has been produced for the Pinaka's 212 mm rocket.
Development of an HE fragmentation warhead and a cluster submunition
is underway.
The Field Artillery's longest range weapon is the Prithvi SS-150
surface-to-surface missile which is to equip the newly formed 333
Missile Group stationed at Secunderabad. The missile has a range of
150 km with a 1,000 kg payload.
Among specialised equipment for the Field Artillery's new role, top
priority is procurement of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), a few of
which are being purchased from Israel. The UAV command posts will be
co-located with the divisional and/or corps counter-bombardment
command posts. As the procurement of artillery locating radars is
not a high priority with the government, the Field Artillery is
seeking better means for target analysis and standardisation of maps
and computer-based C{2} systems.
* Pravin Sawhney is a visiting Fellow at the Royal United Services
Institute, London.
