Indian Army Artillery

kaustav2001

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Although this has been posted before, this piece of news definitely demands space in this thread -
27 years after Bofors, nod for howitzer deal - The Times of India

The defence acquisitions council (DAC), chaired by defence minister A K Antony, on Friday cleared the long-pending procurement of 145 M-777 ultra-light howitzers from the US in a direct government-to-government deal worth $647 million under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.The 155mm/39-calibre ultra-light howitzers, with laser inertial artillery pointing systems and almost 30-km range, will arm five regiments that can be moved to strengthen "threatened sectors" in a hurry.
 

kaustav2001

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Something interesting... now that we're purchasing the the M777 howitzer, wonder if something like would be useful for the North East & PAK borders.

M777 Portee
The M777 Portee was developed as a private venture by BAE Systems to meet British Army requirement for LIMAWS or Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System - Gun program. Portee is comprised of a 155mm/39 calibre M777 towed lightweight artillery system and a purpose-built portee 8x6 version of the Supacat high mobility cross country vehicle (HMT 800). The gun is carried on the rear of the vehicle.

In the traveling mode the M777 is carried in the rear part of the chassis, while the ammunition is stowed at the front, between the armored, NBC protected split cab. The howitzer is partially unloaded from the vehicle before firing, on reaching the combat area the howitzer is quickly dismounted an onboard mechanical handling system, allowing it to be towed rapidly into and out of action and up to 3 ammunition containers can be carried in its place.

In the towing mode the M777 Portee can carry a total of 71 rounds.A total of 20 rounds of ammunition are carried. The advantage of such design is that the M777 Portee is more mobile than ordinary towed howitzers. Also when the howitzer is loaded onto the vehicle it can go over terrain, that would trap other towed howitzers. Unique feature of the M777 Portee is that artillery system can be easily removed or attached to the chassis. With the howitzer removed the vehicle acts as an artillery tractor and can carry additional ammunition instead of artillery system.

Cab of the M777 Portee provides light armor protection and NBC protection for the crew. It accommodates the driver plus gun crew.

Vehicle can be carried by the C-130 transport aircraft. Thus it can be carried underslung by two CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
 

kaustav2001

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^^^ Hey Thanks... Casper "d friendly ghost". I did figure this out while replying to a post by you, but was too lazy to do it yesterday.
 

Bhadra

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Something interesting... now that we're purchasing the the M777 howitzer, wonder if something like would be useful for the North East & PAK borders.

M777 Portee
The M777 Portee was developed as a private venture by BAE Systems to meet British Army requirement for LIMAWS or Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System - Gun program. Portee is comprised of a 155mm/39 calibre M777 towed lightweight artillery system and a purpose-built portee 8x6 version of the Supacat high mobility cross country vehicle (HMT 800). The gun is carried on the rear of the vehicle.

In the traveling mode the M777 is carried in the rear part of the chassis, while the ammunition is stowed at the front, between the armored, NBC protected split cab. The howitzer is partially unloaded from the vehicle before firing, on reaching the combat area the howitzer is quickly dismounted an onboard mechanical handling system, allowing it to be towed rapidly into and out of action and up to 3 ammunition containers can be carried in its place.

In the towing mode the M777 Portee can carry a total of 71 rounds.A total of 20 rounds of ammunition are carried. The advantage of such design is that the M777 Portee is more mobile than ordinary towed howitzers. Also when the howitzer is loaded onto the vehicle it can go over terrain, that would trap other towed howitzers. Unique feature of the M777 Portee is that artillery system can be easily removed or attached to the chassis. With the howitzer removed the vehicle acts as an artillery tractor and can carry additional ammunition instead of artillery system.

Cab of the M777 Portee provides light armor protection and NBC protection for the crew. It accommodates the driver plus gun crew.

Vehicle can be carried by the C-130 transport aircraft. Thus it can be carried underslung by two CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
Kaustava,
Firstly we do not have guns.
Now there is some hopes generated, then you want this gun to be flying, climbing, being underslund, overslung, in contaminated areas, firing nuclear bombs, having this funny concoctions etc....
Let us first have the gun and ammunition.... India has its own terrain, requirements and specefic issues. We do not have to carry this gun for expeditionary tasks.
Or do we?
 

kaustav2001

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Kaustava,
Firstly we do not have guns.
Now there is some hopes generated, then you want this gun to be flying, climbing, being underslund, overslung, in contaminated areas, firing nuclear bombs, having this funny concoctions etc....
Let us first have the gun and ammunition.... India has its own terrain, requirements and specefic issues. We do not have to carry this gun for expeditionary tasks.
Or do we?
Hi.. the name's Kaustav. Yes.. agreed, we're yet to get the guns .. first ones should arrive by mid June 2013. No I don't have any illusions, an M777 isn't meant to fire nuclear bombs nor will it ever will :tsk: Not sure how useful the system is from the IA perspective as you mentioned we have our own terrain & specific challenges, just thought it may present an interesting alternative to the regular arty tractor. But yes as of now.. first & foremost we need the guns to arrive pronto.
 

Neil

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India-made artillery guns to be ready soon

Two types of indigenously manufactured howitzers for the Indian Army will be ready for trials by December 2012 and by June 2013, Government told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

In a written reply to the House, Defence Minister AK Antony said, "As per the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) decision of October 2011, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) is to manufacture 155mm howitzers." The OFBs have been asked to manufacture "two prototypes of 155mm/39 calibre FH-77-B02 guns" and the "upgraded version of 155 mm/45 calibre howitzers guns", he said.

On timelines for trials of these indigenous guns, Antony said that the two prototypes of 155mm/39 calibre howitzers will be ready by December 2012, followed by two samples of the upgraded 155mm/45 calibre guns by June 2013.

On Transfer of Technology (ToT) with the Swedish firm which supplied the 155mm/39 calibre Bofors guns, Antony said, "India had entered into license agreement with AB Bofors, Sweden for indigenous manufacture of 155mm/39 calibre FH-77-B02 guns and its ammunition."

Replying to a question on rules regarding entry of Army units in the capital after Operation Bluestar in 1984, the Defence Minister said that no specific amendments were made in the policy in this regard.

"No specific amendment in the rules/policy related to entry of Army units in the capital region of the country has been made in response to events in 1984 including operation Bluestar," Antony said.

He was asked whether "the government had modified the rules regarding entry of Army units in the capital region after Army revolt as a result of Operation Blue Star in 1984"³. On the training movements of the force, he said these are based on the advance schedules prepared by the Army Headquarters.

On entry of Army units into the NCR during Republic Day, Antony said, "Army units including those posted outside the NCR are nominated for participation in Republic Day Parade. The nominated Army units/contingents enter the Capital Region during Republic Day preparations."

Replying to a question on the on-going probe in procurement of 12 VVIP helicopters, the Minister denied that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been asked to look into the allegations of kickback by the vendors.

On complaints of embezzlement against Cantonment Board officials, Antony said, "A complaint dated Feb 2012 regarding embezzlement of fund concerning EPF/ESI and Service Tax of workers engaged through outsourcing by the officials of Delhi Cantonment Board has been received." The matter is under examination in the Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE), he told the House.



India-made artillery guns to be ready soon | idrw.org
 

agentperry

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^ then whats being tested right now? moreover there were reports in hindustan times that upgraded 52 cal gun will also e produced for 70 km range operations.
 

Kunal Biswas

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Something interesting... now that we're purchasing the the M777 howitzer, wonder if something like would be useful for the North East & PAK borders.

To operate in Indian condition the Portee system need a different truck to carry it, the present truck is big and not suitable for Indian roads, there are many Wheeled SPGH / Mounted arty system which are light yet carry 52cal gun..
 

Kunal Biswas

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^ then whats being tested right now? moreover there were reports in hindustan times that upgraded 52 cal gun will also e produced for 70 km range operations.
OFB is making 45cal gun..

DRDO is working on a 52cal gun..
 

Zebra

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Apart from the above, the acquisition of 145 155mm/39 calibre, M777 Ultra Light Howitzers will be followed by acquisition of additional 290 pieces to equip the newly created mountainous artillery division.

:hurray:
 

kaustav2001

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Apart from the above, the acquisition of 145 155mm/39 calibre, M777 Ultra Light Howitzers will be followed by acquisition of additional 290 pieces to equip the newly created mountainous artillery division.
Hmm.. very interesting & welcome news indeed & comming from Chackojoseph ought to be reliable as well. So it seems like IA will be the 3rd larget operator after the US Army and US Army National Guard. Nice...:thumb:
 

Bhadra

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Hmm.. very interesting & welcome news indeed & comming from Chackojoseph ought to be reliable as well. So it seems like IA will be the 3rd larget operator after the US Army and US Army National Guard. Nice...:thumb:
Chackojoseph of Frontier India and or DNA etc...... rumour monger, it is believed that he is well paid to say whatever he has to.
 

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