Dhanush Production Starts After Spare part Prob Solved

Following a brief hiatus due to a lack of spare parts, the production of Dhanush, India Bofors artillery guns, is back on track. Advance Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) is set to deliver 26 new howitzers to the Indian Army in the current financial year, bringing the total number of Dhanush guns in the Army arsenal to 50. A recent report by TOI indicates that there is an outstanding order for 114 guns.

Manufactured at the Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) in Jabalpur, the initial batch of six Dhanush guns was handed over to the Army in April 2019. Despite facing some delays, primarily attributed to imported components, the production process has now stabilized.

The Indian Army, which has already operationalized one regiment equipped with Dhanush, anticipates receiving the full complement of 114 artillery guns by 2026, according to defense sources. The focus remains on enhancing long-range capabilities and firepower, with plans to extend the range of the Pinaka Multi-Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS). The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively working on this initiative. Additionally, the Pralay surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile is in the advanced stages of induction.

The Dhanush itself is a 155 mm, 45-calibre towed artillery gun boasting a range of 36 km. Impressively, it has demonstrated a range of 38 km using specialized ammunition. An upgraded version of the existing 155 mm, 39-calibre Bofors FH 77 gun, the Dhanush is now being manufactured by the Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, a result of the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board. The production team is working closely with the Army to meet the targeted deliveries.

Against the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine, the significance of long-range firepower, both in precision and saturation, has been underscored. Multi-Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS), particularly the indigenous Pinaka Rocket System developed by DRDO, have proven to be decisive in this context, according to sources. The success of the Pinaka system exemplifies the Army commitment to indigenous defense capabilities.