India's own Bofors ready, field trials in progress

EagleOne

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In a significant development that would provide the much-needed impetus to artillery's firepower, India is ready with an indigenous 155mm, 52-calibre state-of-the-art gun. The Bangalore-based defence public sector undertaking, Bharat Earth Movers Limited, is ready with the wheeled gun and field trials have already started at its testing tracks in the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Karnataka.

This development comes in the backdrop of the fact that the artillery has not purchased a long-range gun in about 20 years following the Bofors gun controversy. The Government recently gave the nod to inviting global tenders for the 155mm guns and the proposed contract for over 1,000 guns, besides other range of artillery guns including Howitzers, worth over `20,000 crore.

Talking exclusively to The Pioneer, BEML chairman and managing director VRS Natarajan said they were the nodal processing agency for this gun, which would enhance the lethality of the defence forces. The gun is part of a technology transfer between a Slovakian company, DMD, and BEML to produce this high-precision gun for the Indian armed forces.

Natarajan said, "We have already been made a nodal processing agency for the 155mm, 52-calibre gun which is a state-of-the-art weapon to be inducted by India. We will produce and supply this to the defence forces. It's a technology transfer; India wants to go for a very upgraded tank which is faster, lighter and able to have a greater fire power with lethality."

He also said, "For the wheeled gun project, we have tied up with a Slovakian company, DMD, for a defence offset and the vehicle has already been made available for trial.

The time frame is about three years from the date of order by the defence forces. We expect it to commence in the current year or at most the next year."

According to the BEML chief, the company was also looking at the tracked version of the same gun, which will give better fire power. "We have already set up a state-of-the-art, world-class test track. We have a firing range too," Natarajan said, adding that the PSU was also in the process of setting up infrastructure for the overhauling of T72 and T90 tanks.

According to officials, the 155mm, 52-calibre gun — which is already in use by NATO countries - would augment Indian capabilities. At present, BEML has set up a testing range at KGF and started the trial of Suzana guns. This wheeled gun would increase the artillery power of the Indian Army. The gun's trial evaluation is over and it is waiting for the request for proposal from the Indian Army, the officials added.



The Pioneer :: Home : >> India's own Bofors ready field trials in progress
 

Kunal Biswas

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India is ready with an indigenous 155mm, 52-calibre state-of-the-art gun.
If we have done this before, lots of things would be different by now..
I hope to see pics of this gun and specifications..
 

StealthSniper

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I always say indigenisation will be the best thing for India. Here is one reason why. Just imagine if the government put more effort in helping private industry in India, I wouldn't be surprised if India came out with awesome military equipment that is better than what DRDO is making.
 

Rage

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Wait a sec, so it's the Zuzanna gun?

I'm not very pleased to hear that. Something's better than nothing I guess.

Here're the technical specifics:



Technical parameters:

Caliber: 155 mm (6.10 in)
Barrel length: 45 cal.
Number of ammunition carried: 40 projectiles/40 charges
Maximum range: 39.6 km (25 mi)
Minimum range: 5.6 km (3.47 mi)
Rate of fire: 6 rounds per min.

Sustained rate of fire: 5 rounds per min.
Loading of projectiles and charges: automatic
Turret traverse: ±60°
Elevation/Depression: +70° / -3,5°
Chassis: modified TATRA 8x8
Vehicle length: 12.97 meters (42.5 ft)
Vehicle width: 3.015 meters (9.89 ft)
Total height: 3.3 meters (10.82 ft)

Overcoming of obstacles:
Trench: 2000 mm (6.56 ft)
Vertical step: 600 mm (1.96 ft)
Fording: 1400 mm (4.59 ft)
Total weight of the system: 28450 kg (62,721 lbs)
Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
Maximum road range: 750 km (466 mi)
Number of crew: 4


...Courtesy of Wikipedia.
 

SATISH

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But the Cal seems to differ from the 45 to 52 in the Indian gun case.....
 

prateikf

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so is it just the wheeled gun and not the towed howitzer? there is a requirement of just 180 wheeled howitzers while the army requires about 1600 towed howitzers.
Besides the RFP for the towed howitzers has already been issued 2 months back.
 

black eagle

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Wait a sec, so it's the Zuzanna gun?

I'm not very pleased to hear that. Something's better than nothing I guess.

Here're the technical specifics:



Technical parameters:

Caliber: 155 mm (6.10 in)
Barrel length: 45 cal.
Number of ammunition carried: 40 projectiles/40 charges
Maximum range: 39.6 km (25 mi)
Minimum range: 5.6 km (3.47 mi)
Rate of fire: 6 rounds per min.

Sustained rate of fire: 5 rounds per min.
Loading of projectiles and charges: automatic
Turret traverse: ±60°
Elevation/Depression: +70° / -3,5°
Chassis: modified TATRA 8x8
Vehicle length: 12.97 meters (42.5 ft)
Vehicle width: 3.015 meters (9.89 ft)
Total height: 3.3 meters (10.82 ft)

Overcoming of obstacles:
Trench: 2000 mm (6.56 ft)
Vertical step: 600 mm (1.96 ft)
Fording: 1400 mm (4.59 ft)
Total weight of the system: 28450 kg (62,721 lbs)
Maximum speed: 80 km/h (50 mph)
Maximum road range: 750 km (466 mi)
Number of crew: 4


...Courtesy of Wikipedia.
I am not much of an expert on artillery but how does this gun compares with other systems currently available?
 

Kunal Biswas

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Zuzana

I am not much of an expert on artillery but how does this gun compares with other systems currently available?
Specification of other Guns:

CAESAR



Specifications"
Weight 17.7 tonnes
Length 10 m
Width 2.55 m
Height 3.7 m
Crew 5 (3, emergency)
Primary
armament 155 mm/52-calibre
Secondary
armament none
Engine diesel
Suspension 6x6 wheel
Operational
range 600 km
Speed 100 km/h
50 km/h off-road"



ARCHER



"Weight 30 tonnes
Length 14.1 meters
Width 3.0 meters
Height 3.3-3.9 meters
Crew 4 (1 driver, 3 operators)
Primary
armament Haubits L52 155mm FH77
Secondary
armament BAE Systems AB Remote Weapons Station
Engine Diesel
340 hp
Operational
range ~500 km
Speed 70 km/h"

Rheinmetall RWG-52 und RTG 52..



Armed with 155mm ordnance, the Rheinmetall Wheeled Gun (RWG)-52 is a highly mobile 6x6 artillery system for flexible fire support operations. This 48-ton vehicle has a maximum road speed of 80 km/h, and can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h when operating off-road. Its strategic range is 700 km, its tactical range 300 km. A built-in tyre pressure management system further enhances the vehicle's excellent off-road performance.

The heart of the system is the autonomous turret, equipped with the same tried-and-tested L/52 Rheinmetall gun used in Germany's PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer. This highly advanced weapons system is in service with the armed forces of Germany, Italy, Greece and the Netherlands, the latter having successfully deployed it in combat operations in Afghanistan


Israeli Atmos




* Range
o 41 km - 52 calibre
o - 49 calibre
o - 39 calibre
* rate of fire
o Burst - 3 round with in 15 sec
o Rapid - 5 round with in 1 min
o Sustained - >80 round an hour
* Aiming resolution - 1 artillery mil
* Deployment time - ~1.5 minute to first shot


Slovak artillery system ZUZANA

Daily NEWS 29 April 2008

The new self-propelled wheeled gun howitzer 155 mm Zuzana A1 de Konstrukta-Defence


The new 155 mm ZUZANA A1 is a self-propelled wheeled autonomous artillery system with automatic loading of ammunition, which is capable to provide effective fire by both direct and indirect aiming. The 155 mm ZUZANA is equipped with a 52 caliber barrel. The electronic equipment, diagnostics and automation of operations during loading and firing ranks this weapon among the most advanced weapon system in the world. The main weapon is equipped with additionnal sight in order to increase the direct fire accuracy. The 155 mm caliber ammunition is complying with the NATO standards is used for firing.





The system features long range, high accuracy and rate of fire, prompt preparation for firing and high level of mobility ensured by a modified TATRA 8x8 chassis. Design of the gun enables to use any NATO standard 155mm ammunition available on the market. The Fire Control System enables for a Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) mode. One of the unique features of ZUZANA is that the gun is mounted externally in between two totally separated compartments of the turret. This makes the system extremely safe for its crew that is completely out of reach of any potentially dangerous mechanics of the gun and autoloader plus the crew is protected from the gases generated during firing.

Loading: automatic mode by means of loading device and manual mode

Rate of fire:
- in automatic mode: 5 to 6 round in the 1st minute, 30 rounds in 6 minutes
- in manual mode: 1 round in 2 minutes

Number of shells carried: 40

Crew incl. driver: 4 crewmen

General dimensions:
- Maximum length: 12,970 mm
- Maximum height up to the turret ceiling: 3,010 mm
- Maximum height, incl. the machine-gun *): 3,530 mm
- Maximum width: 3,200 mm
*) Applicable for version supplied the Slovak Army

Weight:
- Barrel assy: 2,860 kg
- Elevation masses: 3,850 kg
- Traverse masses (incl. accessories and armament): 12,250 kg
- Chassis (incl. fuel, fluids, armament and accessories): 16,350 kg
- Total weight of 155 mm SpGH (incl. fuel, fluids, armament and accessories and 40 pcs of shells carried, without crewmen): 29,000 kg







Gun is 155mm/52l, with Auto-loader..
As Rage & I given the specification of 45cal, I think 52cal would be much better..



ZUZANA use modified TATRA 8x8 ( Armored version ), the same one used as to transport T-72/90 & Arjun mk-1, Therefore no special logistics
 
Last edited:

black eagle

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By the look of things, it looks like an impressive system. But is everyone sure that this is the gun that is being built by BEML??
 

EagleOne

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Wait a sec, so it's the Zuzanna gun?
I'm not very pleased to hear that. Something's better than nothing I guess.
Here're the technical specifics:

Technical parameters:
...Courtesy of Wikipedia.
and this report says that it is 52 cal
this might be some thing more advanced & costomised then zuzaan
beml has alredy worked on bhim and with TOT of DMD it will be a advanced version
 

Yusuf

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I think we might have a DFI record for the number of thanks for a single post that the poster has got for breaking this news. Such is the importance of the news. Everyone is waiting for something on the arty front. Its like one small step, but a giant leap for Indian artillery. now though is tech transfer from slovakia, it will help India add to it and come up with better systems in the future esp with the electronics like FCS.

But just last month we had the DRDO pitching itself in to make guns "should" it be asked to. So how is this news related to that? Isnt the DRDO and BEML working in sync?
 

Daredevil

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Why this news is not being reported by other news papers. This is the only report that is actually talking about this artillery gun. I will wait till there are other articles supporting this report.
 

Sridhar

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India defence has reportd it.Wai i will post the link.

Added later

BEML Offers 155mm, 52 caliber Artillery Gun; Field Trials Begin

Tweet
2010-09-29 Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML) has reportedly offered a 155mm, 52-caliber state-of-the-art artillery gun. The Bangalore-based defence public sector undertaking is ready with the wheeled gun and field trials have already started at its testing tracks in the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Karnataka.

This development comes in the backdrop of the fact that the artillery has not purchased a long-range gun in about 20 years following the Bofors gun controversy. The Government recently gave the nod to inviting global tenders for the 155mm guns and the proposed contract for over 1000 guns, besides other range of artillery guns including Howitzers, worth over Rs. 20,000 crore.

BEML chairman and managing director VRS Natarajan said they were the nodal processing agency for this gun, which would enhance the lethality of the defence forces. The gun is part of a technology transfer between a Slovakian company, DMD, and BEML to produce this high-precision gun for the Indian armed forces.

Natarajan said, "We have already been made a nodal processing agency for the 155mm, 52-caliber gun which is a state-of-the-art weapon to be inducted by India. We will produce and supply this to the defence forces. It's a technology transfer; India wants to go for a very upgraded tank which is faster, lighter and able to have a greater fire power with lethality."

He also said, "For the wheeled gun project, we have tied up with a Slovakian company, DMD, for a defence offset and the vehicle has already been made available for trial. The time frame is about three years from the date of order by the defence forces. We expect it to commence in the current year or at most the next year."

According to the BEML chief, the company was also looking at the tracked version of the same gun, which will give better fire power. "We have already set up a state-of-the-art, world-class test track. We have a firing range too," Natarajan said, adding that the PSU was also in the process of setting up infrastructure for the overhauling of T72 and T90 tanks.

According to officials, the 155mm, 52-caliber gun -- which is already in use by NATO countries - would augment Indian capabilities. At present, BEML has set up a testing range at KGF and started the trial of Suzana guns. This wheeled gun would increase the artillery power of the Indian Army. The gun's trial evaluation is over and it is waiting for the request for proposal from the Indian Army, the officials added.


http://www.india-defence.com/reports-4579
 

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