Just within the last week, Indian Army has successfully conducted ‘user-validation’ trials of indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) Dhanush in the Himalayas. It cleared the way for its induction into the Army. Not only this, 2 of those Dhanush guns will be showcased during the grand Republic Day parade this year.
Here are the key take-away points of this test:
- The tests were 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 dual-tasked to face Pakistan as well as China.
- Dhanush 155 MM/45 calibre gun is based on the 1980s’ Bofors FH-77B/39 Calibre artillery gun design and aided by the transfer of technology (ToT) clause signed with the Swedish company.
- A production-level prototype was tested and this was supposed to be the last lap of trials before the Ordnance Factory Board starts it bulk production.
- A total of six guns were tested-fired in snow and in conditions where temperatures dipped to minus 10 degrees.
- The first 3 guns of the production-level prototype underwent 4-month trial from June to September 2016. 3 more other guns were to be added and the entire lot will be tested in high-altitude winter conditions.
- The Indian version has several improvements to make Dhanush compatible with today’s modern communication techniques.
- It also has night firing capability in direct fire mode. It has several significant features such as an all-electric drive, quick deployability, high mobility, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system, and automated command and control system.
With the gun getting all prepped up to march down Rajpath during the RDC-2017, it is a long-waited honour for both, Indian Army and the Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) in Jabalpur (which is a part of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)).
