Indian Army Artillery

[bengalraider]

I feel that the IA should induct only those guns which it can build itself,
My top three tracked guns would be
1)Bhim- provided we can unban denel
2)Sholef- get the tech from IMI build on it.
3)MSTA-mordenised with full ToT from the russians.
As i have already posted many articles on the bhim i post no 2 here.
a good option(not on the table now) would be for the DRDO to buy the technology of the "Sholef" howitzer from israel. with Bhim being stuck due to the ban on denel .we need a new option for an indigenous tracked howitzer i believe a suitable mordenised sholef on a T-72/arjun chassis could fit the bill.Israel is one of the nations that would not be adverse to providing us with the technology.

Sholef (aka Slammer) Israeli 155 mm self-propelled howitzer on Merkava tank chassis in Beyt ha-Totchan, Zichron Yaakov, Israel. 2005.

Two prototypes of Sholef ("Gunslinger" or "Slammer") 155 mm self-propelled howitzer with automatic loading system were built by Soltam in 1984–1986. The 45-ton vehicle had a long 155 mm calibre gun barrel giving a range of 45+ km. Using GPS, inertial navigation, and an internal fire control computer, it was also capable of direct fire while on the move. It never entered production[22

]

The Slammer (Sholef) is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer variant of the Merkava with automatic loading system. The gun has a range of 40+ km with ERFB-BB. Two prototypes appeared in 1984 and 1986 but didn't entered production.

The Slammer is a heavily armored artillery gun mounted on a modified Merkava Mk 1 chassis. Many of these vehicles are Merkava Mk 1 that were retired after the Merkava Mk 2 and Merkava Mk 3 came into service. The Slammer has a long 52-caliber gun barrel that allows +10% range. Reload speed may be decreased to 1 for one minute every 10 minutes through use of an automatic loader. Ammunition racks are large. The Slammer is ready for autonomous operation (without an FDC) if the target's location is known within 15 seconds of a halt, using GPS, inertial navigation, and an internal fire control computer. The Slammer is also capable of direct fire on the move

Specifications
Property/ Value
Rate of fire (rds/min) / 9
Ammunition of the main gun /75
Crew /4
Main weapon caliber (mm) /155
Auxiliary gun calibre (mm) /12.7
Ammunition of the auxiliary gun /1000
Weight (kg)/45000

 

[AJSINGH]

^^^^ it should be done fast because IA seriously needs big guns

 

[Sridhar]

India allows tainted weapon systems’ trials

BY :STRAT POST

The Indian Defense Ministry today allowed multi-vendor user-trials for five categories of weapons systems to go ahead, after they were held up following allegations of corruption against two vendors, ST (Singapore Technologies) Kinetics and Israel Military Industries (IMI).
But while trials are to go ahead, any further progress and decisions with regard to the tenders will be subject to the report submitted by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), which has been investigating allegations of corruption.
This comes after ST Kinetics and IMI were blacklisted by the Ministry of Defense in June for alleged involvement in the tenders that were tainted by corruption discovered after the arrest of the former Director General Ordinance Factories and Chairman of the Ordinance Factory Board (OFB), Sudipta Ghosh.
Seven companies were blacklisted by the Ministry of Defense at that time, including the two listed above.
Singapore Technologies was in the running for a US $ 650 million deal for 155 mm towed artillery guns to be supplied to the Indian Army. A subsidiary of Singapore Technologies, ST Kinetics was bidding to sell 145 units to the army. IMI was contracted at the end of March by the OFB to build five artillery munition factories in the Indian state of Bihar at a cost of $ 240 million, over a three-year period. The factories were also to have produced shells for Bofors artillery guns.
The five weapons systems for which user-trials are to go ahead are:
155 mm towed howitzers
Light Strike Vehicle (for paratroops and Special Forces)
Lightweight Assault Rifles
High zone Bi-modular System
Armored Fighting Vehicle Protection System
While the multi-vendor trials for the first three systems were held up because of the blacklisting of ST Kinetics, the trials for the last two systems were frozen because of the blacklisting of IMI.
But the army has been pushing for trials to take place to prevent amplification of delays in defense acquisition. Their logic is that even if the blacklisted companies don’t make it through the trials process, some other company could be selected and delays in the procurement process could be prevented. If, however, they do make it through the trials, the case would still be subject to the CBI investigation report.
The army has been plagued by delays in defense procurement which has made its modernization process an obstacle course. The army has not been able to buy any artillery guns since the Bofors howitzers bought in the mid-1980s. The blacklisting of vendors for wrongdoing has also been especially to the detriment of artillery acquisition, with Bofors and Denel both being considered out of the running for acquisition of artillery guns.
The armed forces have often complained that the blacklisting of even a single company on charges of corruption often freezes multiple tender processes for a variety of different weapons systems, simply because that particular company has bid for all those tenders. They also point out that freezing trials and tender processes leaves the armed forces interminably bereft of new equipment, even though the products of other, non-blacklisted vendors are available as options. This can also result in the raising of prices by non-blacklisted vendors who are still in the running, in the absence of a competitor.
Interestingly, some officials at the Ministry of Defense have noted the coincidence between the recent, frequent exchange of visits between military officials of Israel and India and the green light to user-trials, which also include the participation of IMI.




India allows tainted weapon systems? trials IDRW.ORG

 

[Sridhar]

Cross posting Nitesh's link

Stage set for battle of big guns
SUJAN DUTTA

New Delhi, Dec. 23: The Indian Army’s original heavy artillery gun supplier whose name became synonymous with defence scandals — Bofors — and a blacklisted Singaporean firm are set to face-off in a competition with a prize money worth more than Rs 10,000 crore after an embargo on trials for howitzers was lifted.​

Defence ministry sources said here today that the government was acting on a recommendation from the chief of army staff, General Deepak Kapoor, to lift the embargo on Singaporean firm, ST Kinetics, and Israel Military Industries, also in the blacklist, to participate in competitions for five big Indian military orders.​

In each of the five categories of military hardware that the army wants to procure fast there are two or more vendors.​

The categories are: 155-mm towed guns, High Zone Bi-Modular Charge Systems (propellants for heavy artillery), armoured fighting vehicle tank protection systems, light strike vehicles for para-commando special forces, and light weight assault rifles.​

But it is the army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, under which it was standardising its big guns in the 155mm/52 calibre segment, that is the biggest draw for global armament makers. The Indian Army has not inducted a single heavy gun since 410 Bofors 22 years back during the Rajiv Gandhi regime.​

The cloud over that deal after allegations of kickbacks extended over most military procurement plans and stalled equipment modernisation. The agreement with Bofors to upgrade and make indigenous big guns also expired in 2001.​

Two earlier tenders were scrapped by A.K. Antony. Bofors, now owned by the US-division of BAe Land Systems is competing for the latest order — for the third time — with its Bofors FH 77 BO L52 ‘gun-and-run’ howitzer. ST Kinetics is fielding its FH (field howitzer) 2000 gun for the competition.​

ST Kinetics and Israel Military Industries were among seven companies blacklisted by Antony’s defence ministry in June this year after investigators suspected former Ordnance Factory Board chairman, Sudipta Ghosh, of underhand deals. Ghosh was arrested in Calcutta in May.​

Last month, the defence ministry amended rules to allow the companies to participate in trials and tests but not to conclude contracts before the CBI completes its probe. Ministry sources said the army chief’s request was vetted by the Central Vigilance Commission and the law ministry before the go-ahead to conduct the trials was given.​

The army intends to buy 400 towed howitzers and make another 1,200 in collaboration with the foreign vendor. Under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, it wants to procure 3600 heavy guns of 155mm/52 cal by 2020 of the towed, self-propelled/tracked and ultra-light varieties.​

The Telegraph - Calcutta (Kolkata) | Nation | Stage set for battle of big guns

 

[neo29]

Finally they have given artillery serious thought . no one bothered to look in that direction since the boforgate scandal.
considering china having thousands of artillery pieces and pak buying latest ones and even procured some for the so called war on terror we shud have done this long back.
Better late than never.

 

[notinlove]

indians might prefer the pegasus over the m777 ..... cos though the pegasus is heavier than the m777 by about 800 kgs it has the ability to move at 12 km/h by itself which might be pretty useful when trying to avoid counter artillery attacks

 

[Sridhar]

India To Let Singapore Technologies Join Howitzer Trials

BY efensenews

The Indian government has allowed the Army to invite formerly banned Singapore Technologies to participate in trials to purchase 155mm/52 caliber towed artillery guns.
The company had been banned, along with six other defense companies, in June 2009 in connection with alleged corruption charges. However, the government’s move now will allow trials to be held within a month, said a senior Indian Army official.
A senior Indian Defence Ministry official said that even if it wins, Singapore Technologies will not be given a contract until it is cleared of all charges by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation.
In March 2008, the Indian Army had floated a tender for the off-the-shelf purchase of 400 155 mm/52 caliber towed artillery guns and the licensed production of approximately 1,180 guns on a transfer-of-technology basis.
Tenders were given to eight companies from Europe, Asia and the Middle East, but in the end the Army’s Technical Evaluation Committee qualified only BAE Systems and Singapore Technologies.
Singapore Technologies is also competing to sell 155mm ultra light artillery guns, although it is unclear if the company will be allowed to participate in field trials, Indian Defence Ministry sources said.


India To Let Singapore Technologies Join Howitzer Trials IDRW.ORG

 

[neo29]

i read somewhere that once these howitzers are selected there are plans to install it on the old t-55 tanks that we have. does anyone know anything about this news ???

 

[bhramos]

i read somewhere that once these howitzers are selected there are plans to install it on the old t-55 tanks that we have. does anyone know anything about this news ???

until now only Vijayanta were converted to carry howitzers.

Based on a license-produced version of the British Vickers Mk I, the first Vijayanta ("Victory") prototype appeared in 1963 and initial low-rate production began in 1965, with full production beginning in 1969. Production continued at an ever-slowing rate until 1983, with 2200 being built in total. Though the Vijayanta is no longer in use by the Indian Army as a main battle tank (it was withdrawn from service in mid-2008; it’s replacement were Indian-built versions of the T-72M1 and the T-90S), the hulls and sometimes parts of the turret have been converted into other vehicles, including AVLBs, CEVs, ARVs, and SP howitzers. However, some Vijayanta MBTs were still being upgraded to their later counterparts as late as 2000. By the time of it’s retirement, only about 800 were still in service as MBTs; today, some 1000 complete and incomplete Vijayantas are being kept in storage by the Indians for emergency use, spare parts, or conversion into other types of vehicles. Progressive upgrades have resulted in three major versions of the Vijayanta over time: the Vijayanta 1A, 1B, and 1C.

Source: Indian Tanks

if you need pic i'll get it to you

 

[bhramos]

Gulab

 

[bengalraider]

the Vijayanta SP gun,- the Vijayanta was converted to become a carrier for the 130mm M-46 gun in 1987. this was done as during the previous Indo-pakistan wars the IA felt the need for more SP guns . As the IA already had a large No. of 130mm M46 howitzers and ano. of old vijayanta hulls these were combimed to create the Vijayanta SP system known as the"Catapult".The vehicle retains the driver's position, but the center of the vehicle has an open area for the gun and crew, with a frame that has a metal roof for overhead protection.
The Catapult artillery system can fire both HE and AP ammunition and has seven Bogie wheel stations on either side to withstand higher firing stresses and to cater for longer recoil length. The hydraulic suspension locking system provides stability to the vehicle during firing. The gun has an elevation of +45o to -2o and static traverse 12 1/20 on either side with a maximum range of approx 27 Km.

 

[bhramos]

This gun was based on the Russian 130mm M-46 towed howitzer

 

[bhramos]

Indian-designed SPG

An Indian-designed SPG, mounted on a APC chassis that was also designed by CVRDE (Combat Vehicle Research & Development Establishment). This SPG was part of a family of tracked armoured vehicles sharing the same chassis. Unfortunately none of it went into production.

 

[bhramos]

The Bhim SPG

Prototype of the Bhim SPG --> South African LIW/Denel self-propelled T6 155mmm/52-calibre gun mounted on the Arjun tank chassis. Successful user trials were conducted by the Indian Army in the summers of 1998 and 1999, with the Army reportedly favouring the Bhim SPG over other systems evaluated

did we induct any of these Bhim SPG Guns???

 

[F-14]

no bhramos ji it was at this time that Denel was black listed and the Project stalled

 

[bengalraider]

The Bhim SPG

Prototype of the Bhim SPG --> South African LIW/Denel self-propelled T6 155mmm/52-calibre gun mounted on the Arjun tank chassis. Successful user trials were conducted by the Indian Army in the summers of 1998 and 1999, with the Army reportedly favouring the Bhim SPG over other systems evaluated

did we induct any of these Bhim SPG Guns???

Read my previous posts on this thread on the Bhim, these should answer all your questions on this SPG.
Linking below

http://www.defenceforum.in/forum/la...-projects-trials-allowed-mod-6.html#post93028

http://www.defenceforum.in/forum/la...-projects-trials-allowed-mod-4.html#post91279

 

[bengalraider]

As far as a SPG on the T-55 is concerned i think the T-72 hull would be far more prudent as an SPG base, with only 5 wheels/rollers the T-55 has i believe too small a footprint to be of use as a full-fledged SPG.

 

[notinlove]

India To Buy M777 Ultra Light Howitzer

The government has authorised an outright purchase of 145 ultra-light howitzers from the US, a highly-placed defence ministry source said today.

The ultra-light howitzers are for the mountain artillery divisions of the Indian Army to be used in high-altitude frontiers opposite Pakistan and China. They can be transported slung from some helicopters.

The defence acquisitions committee has decided to take the foreign military sales route. Foreign military sales is a US programme of government-to-government sales of military hardware bypassing a lengthy system of competitive bidding. But bidders who lose out to foreign military sales orders allege that the system lacks transparency.

“We will also look at other options,” defence secretary Pradeep Kumar said.

The Indian Air Force has taken the foreign military sales route to contract six Lockheed Martin-made Hercules C130J air lifters and the army did the same to buy artillery fire-finding radars.

Two brands of ultra-light howitzers were initially in contention for the Indian Army’s estimated $2.5-billion artillery modernisation programme — ST Kinetics’ Pegasus and BAE Land Systems’ M777 made in the US.

BAE Land Systems has bought over the erstwhile Swedish firm Bofors that sold 410 155mm howitzers to India in 1986. The army has not bought a single big gun since the last of the Bofors howitzer was delivered in 1987, 22 years back.

ST Kinetics was blacklisted this year after the company figured in investigations into the deals struck by the former director general of the Ordnance Factory Board in Calcutta. The government has lifted the bar on trials in multiple-vendor situations.

If the government takes the foreign military sales route, the order is likely to go to BAE Land Systems. The source said the defence acquisitions council authorised the foreign military sales route before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to the US last month.

The army wants to buy 145 ultra-light howitzers, 158 towed and wheeled, 100 tracked, and 180 wheeled and armoured guns in the first phase as part of its field artillery rationalisation plan, the programme to upgrade its artillery divisions.

Defence secretary Pradeep Kumar said the government has speeded up the buying of military hardware. Between 2007 and 2009, a total of 465 contracts have been signed. These are worth more than Rs 1,35,000 crore.

He said in 10 years, the defence ministry had doubled the capital expenditure for new acquisitions. The acquisitions were worth Rs 62,272 crore between 1999 and 2004. They total Rs 1,37,496 crore between 2004 and 2009. In the current year (2009-2010), Rs 41,000 crore was being spent on direct capital acquisitions.

The acquisitions have included Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control Systems, Sukhoi 30MKI fighter aircraft, aircraft for VIPs, missiles of different types and tanks.

Nod to US gun purchase minus bids IDRW.ORG

 

[tarunraju]

Related multimedia:

Future Weapons (Discovery Channel) clip on M777:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ksVhgbqaDE

 

[notinlove]

Ammo

Here is What it can Fire

XM982 EXCALIBUR

The M982 Excalibur (previously XM982) s a 155 mm extended range guided artillery shell presently in development by Raytheon Missile Systems and BAE Systems Bofors.
The "smart" round is expected to have a range of approximately 40 to 57 km depending on configuration with a circular error probable (CEP) of around 10 m. The extended range is achieved through the use of folding glide fins, which allow the projectile to glide from the top of a ballistic arc towards the target. The accuracy is achieved through the use of a GPS guidance system. In contrast, standard U.S. 155 mm shells have a CEP of 200 to 300 m at moderate ranges.[1]

The munition is being developed with $55.1 million in financial assistance from Sweden, which expects to receive service rounds in 2010. As of 2008, unit costs are $85,000, potentially dropping to $50,000 in full-scale production.[2]

Initial combat experience with Excalibur in Iraq in the summer of 2007 was so successful (92% of rounds falling within 4 meters of the target) that the US Army planned to increase the production rate to 150 rounds per month vs the previous 18 rounds per month.[3][4]

The combat value of the projectile was indicated by the US Army's decision to rate it as one of the Top 10 Army Greatest Inventions of the Year Award for 2007

M982 Excalibur - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


BOFORS BONUS

Bonus artillery launched, fire-and-forget artillery shell targets and destroys armored vehicles (stationary or mobile) by top attack submunitions. Each BONUS shell carries two BONUS Submunitions, and is provided with base bleed system to reach ranges of 35km. Two Submunitions are carried in each shell, covering an area of 200 m’ in radius. The BONUS submunition deploys two “wings” which stabilize its rapid descent path and fast spin required for target scanning. BONUS acquires a target by multi-spectral infrared signature. BONUS II, which will enter production in 2005 will also add a laser radar (LADAR) for improved aiming into a target shape generated by a laser radar (LADAR) sensor. The fusion of spectral and target profile enables BONUS to separate between combat-worthy targets, damaged or burning targets as well as decoys. Each submunition is equipped with explosive formed penetrator (EFP) striking the target by top attack. BONUS II is equipped with improved IR sensors capable of engaging targets with reduced IR signatures and countermeasures. BONUS is in production since 2003. Over 1000 BONUS shells have already been delivered to the French and Swedish armies, and current production programs are scheduled to last til 2007

BONUS Artillery Launched Precision Guided Munitions