Indian Army: News and Discussion

shankyz

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Punj Lloyd - IWI partnership rifle is not revealed yet : Galil ACE or Tavor 7 ?
 

12arya

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...edals-at-asian-games/articleshow/65550060.cms

Army welcomes its rowers who won medals at Asian Games



The Army has lauded its rowers who made the country proud by clinching three medals at the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia.

The rowers arrived at the international airport here in the wee hours on Sunday and were accorded a warm welcome by the Army personnel.

The players later left for Pune, where they are being trained at the Army Rowing Node located in the College of Military Engineering, an official said.

The Army oarsmen bagged one gold and two bronze medals at the Asian Games.

The gold medal winning quartet included Subedar Sawarn Singh (Olympian - London Olympics 2012), Havildar Bhokanal Dattu (Olympian - Rio Olympics 2016), Havildar Om Prakash and Sapper Sukhmeet Singh, who won the Quadruple Sculls event.
 

12arya

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this is how indian army soldiers celebrated the Raksha Bandhan with their brothers......so sweet:india2:

 

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...8-others-get-shaurya/articleshow/65406402.cms
Vrahma Pal Singh gets Kirti Chakra; Aurangzeb, Major Aditya and 18 others get Shaurya




Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh of Rajput Regiment, who heroically laid down his life in a fierce counter-insurgency operation in which three terrorists were killed at Pulwama in J&K last November, has been posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the country’s second-highest peacetime bravery medal.

Rifleman Aurangzeb of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, who was abducted, video-taped during interrogation and then killed by terrorists while on way to his home at village Salani in Poonch for Eid in June, in turn, is among the 20 Shaurya Chakra awardees in this year’s Independence Day gallantry list. Apart from himself taking part in several operations, during one of which he rescued an injured soldier and wounded three terrorists, Aurangzeb became a target for the terrorists because he was the “buddy” of his company commander Major Rohit Shukla, who had killed dreaded terrorist Sameer Tiger.

Major Aditya Kumar of the 10 Garhwal Rifles, who led an operation in Budgam in which four terrorists were killed last November, has also been awarded the country’s third-highest peacetime gallantry medal. Major Kumar had also hit the headlines in January when he was named in an FIR by the J&K police after his unit had opened fire in face of their convoy being surrounded by a violent stone-pelting mob that even tried to lynch a junior commissioner officer at Shopian, leading to three civilians being killed.

The other Shaurya Chakra awardees from Army are Lt-Colonel Arjun Sharma (Jat), Majors Pawan Gautam (Engineers) and Pawan Kumar (Jat), Captains Kaninder Paul Singh (Rajput) and Rajesh Jayesh Varma (Rajput), Naib Subedars Anil Kumar Dhaiya (Para) and Vijay Kumar Yadav (Maratha Li), Havildars Kul Bahadur Thapa (Para-SF) and Jaweed Ahmad Bhat (Para-SF), Grenadier Ranjit Singh (Artillery). Two soldiers are from Assam Rifles, Jaiprakash Oraon (posthumous) and Rathva Lilesh Bhai.

Captain P Rajkumar from the Navy, who flew daredevil missions in his Sea King helicopter to rescue several people during severe cyclonic storm Ockhi last December, has also been awarded the Shaurya Chakra. It was also awarded to CRPF personnel, deputy commandant Kuldeep Singh Chahar, head constable A S Krishna, constables K Dinesh Raja and Prafulla Kumar, and Dhanawade Ravindra Baban (posthumous).
 

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https://freepresskashmir.com/2018/0...th-by-150000-to-enhance-effectiveness-report/

Indian Army ‘likely’ to cut troops’ strength by 1,50,000 to enhance effectiveness: Report



The Indian Army, in a cadre review, will possibly cut over 150,000 troops in the coming four to five years to enhance the cadres’ effectiveness and ability to prepare for future wars, two officers close with the move told Hindustan Times.

The review was ordered on June 21 and includes reducing the personal strength and merger of different verticals to optimise its functioning, HT reported as of August 13.

Military secretary Lt Gen J S Sandhu, heading an 11-member panel will make a preliminary presentation to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat by this month’s end. The final report is to be submitted in November.

“Merging of some verticals and rationalising roles are likely to result in cutting 50,000 troops over the next two years. A reduction of 100,000 more personnel may be possible by 2022-23. But all this is in the study phase right now,” said one of the officials.

The troop reduction will come in terms of revamping different verticals including directorates at the army HQs, logistics units, communications establishments, repair facilities and other administrative and support areas, the second official said.

The review placed concerns about how multiple verticals of the army had expanded over the years, despite technology infusion into the system.

“The line between verticals has got blurred, resulting in duplication of charters and associated manning. There is a definite case for reviewing the number of verticals with the aim of restructuring within the vertical as also merging where necessary/possible so as to arrive at economies of scale,” said the order, quoted HT.

Former Northern commander Lieutenant General BS Jaswal (retd) brought attention to the obsolete equipment of the army and negative gaps in their capabilities and said, “Downsizing of combat forces has to be offset against induction of highly sophisticated technical equipment.”

“As far as overlapping duties in logistics departments is concerned, there has to be a structured analysis to see if duplication in functioning can be streamlined into lesser number of modules,” Jaswal said.

“Theoretically, a lot of things may seem possible but you have to get into the realm of practical applications,” he added.
 

12arya

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https://www.thebetterindia.com/159075/israel-indian-army-ww1-haifa/

Why Do Israel’s Textbooks Have Lessons on Indian Soldiers? An Amazing Tale from WW1!

“What I should like to ask is why the Indian cavalry did not get sufficient credit for what they had done. They fought the Turk, and they beat the Turk.”


The city of Haifa, in Israel, holds a deep-rooted connection with India—one that it remembers and celebrates even today. On Thursday, 6 September, Haifa celebrated the centenary year of its liberation from the Ottoman rule and honoured Indian soldiers who had sacrificed their lives during the campaign.

Why did an Israeli city honour Indian soldiers, a hundred years after World War I? Here is the fascinating story behind it.

The city of Haifa was under the hold of the German-Turkish forces in 1918. World War I was at its peak at the time, and the Allied Forces and the Central Powers were trying their troops to get seize control of every strategic port, base and city to gain advantage and win the war. Haifa was one such supply base, thanks to its rail access and harbour.

The Allied Forces comprising France, Great Britain and Russia had planned to annexe Haifa, Nazareth and Damascus.

Source: By C. Falls and A. F. Becke/ Wikipedia.
Haifa and Nazareth are in present-day Israel while Damascus is the capital of present-day Syria.

Haifa was to be annexed by the 15th Cavalry Brigade of the British Empire, which consisted of the Imperial Service Troops from the princely states of Hyderabad, Mysore, Patiala, Alwar and Jodhpur; it was initially called the Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade.

On 23rd September 1918, the Cavalry Brigade, led by lancers from Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers, as well as contingents from Bhavanagar, Baroda, Idar and Jamnagar forces attacked the German-Turkish troops and seized the city of Haifa.

The Turkish army was well-equipped with machine guns and artillery, while on the other hand, the Indian troops had only spears (or lances, hence the term, ‘lancers’) at their disposal and were not too strong in terms of the number either—400 Indian soldiers were on a battlefield against 1500 Turkish men.

However, the ‘last major cavalry campaign’ saw a miraculous display of bravery and strength at the hands of the Indian soldiers.

Indian Lancers in Haifa. Source: Imperial War Museum/ Wikipedia.
Even with an obvious weakness in terms of arsenal and workforce, the Indian troops were successful in seizing Haifa from the Turkish army, and although they had fought under the British Empire, the Israelis took special note of their origin and contribution.

After the battle of Haifa, the official History of the War described it saying, “No more remarkable cavalry action of its scale was fought in the whole course of the campaign… Machine gun bullets over and over again failed to stop the galloping horses even though many of them succumbed afterwards to their injuries.”

On May 21, 1919, the seventh Earl of Mayo had observed, “My Lords, there were two divisions of Indian cavalry employed in Palestine including an Imperial Service brigade. I believe I am right in saying that they were all Indian. It is well-known to the authorities at the War Office and to the military authorities that these brigades did very good work indeed. They had tremendously hard work to do, so hard indeed that they were the first troops to go into Damascus…

What I should like to ask is why the Indian cavalry did not get sufficient credit for what they had done. They fought the Turk, and they beat the Turk.”

Source: Australian War Museum/ Wikipedia.
Captain Amar Singh Bahadur, Dafadar Jor Singh, Major Dalpat Singh, Captain Anop Singh and 2nd Lt Sagat Singh were among the 400 Indian soldiers who fought for Israel that day. While the first two brave lancers were awarded the Indian Order of Merit (IOM), the latter three were awarded the Military Cross (MC).

This year, as Yona Yahav, the Mayor of Haifa addressed a crowd gathered at the Haifa War Memorial to pay tribute to these soldiers, he said, “Major Singh and the bold Indian soldiers are very dear to us, and this centenary celebration is special to us… Dalpat Singh not only changed the history of my city but the history of the Middle East.”

When Yahav, who has been the Mayor since 2003, realised the remarkable part that Indians played in liberating his city in the Ottoman times, he took steps to ensure that their sacrifices do not go unrecognised.

Apart from the yearly gathering that celebrates Haifa’s liberation, he has included the chapter of Indian soldiers fighting against the German-Turkish army in the school syllabus for classes 3 to 5.

This way, everyone, from a child to an adult, knows the contributions of the 15th Cavalry Brigade.

Teen Murti Haifa Chowk, New Delhi. Source: Koshyk/ Flickr.
On this occasion, Pavan Kapoor, India’s Ambassador to Israel, said, “Today we commemorate the courage and sacrifice of those soldiers who laid down their lives far away from their homes and families. These soldiers represented all the major faiths and regions of our country. This tribute shows that their courage and sacrifice has not been forgotten… It is also a sign that even in this part of Israel, far from India, the eternal flame of the Indian Army—duty and service before self—continues to shine.”

India, on its part, has not forgotten the bravery of the Indian soldiers. The Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers are now represented by 61st Cavalry Regiment in the Indian Army and still commemorate the battle every year on 23 September as Haifa Day. Additionally, the Teen Murti Memorial was built in 1922 and comprises three bronze statues which represent the Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers.

Earlier this year, when Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel visited the capital, the Teen Murti Chowk in New Delhi was renamed as Teen Murti Haifa Chowk, in a symbolic gesture
 

12arya

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http://www.prnewswire.co.in/news-re...or-spylite-mini-uas---the-only-692391821.html

Cyient - BlueBird Joint Venture Wins Its First Order from Indian Army for SpyLite Mini UAS - the Only System to Pass the Army's Extremely High Altitude Trial

Taking off from very high altitude in extreme weather conditions, the SpyLite flew over the high mountainous landscape, performing all its missions successfully

HYDERABAD, India and KADIMA, Israel, Sept. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyient Solutions & Systems Pvt. Ltd. (CSS), a joint venture between Cyient Ltd. and BlueBird Aero Systems, Israel, today announced that it has received its first supply order from a unit of the Indian Army for SpyLite mini UAV systems for high altitude aerial surveillance.

CSS offered, and successfully demonstrated, its flagship mini UAV system, SpyLite, which was the only one that met end-user requirements to conduct real-time surveillance and target acquisition at very high altitude and in extreme weather conditions. The SpyLite was also the only UAV system to complete and pass the trial.

SpyLite is an advanced, combat-proven, electric, mini unmanned aerial system. It is optimized to offer covert, extended range real-time visual intelligence. Fully autonomous, from launch to accurate parachute recovery, the system delivers enhanced reliability even in severe weather conditions, assuring long endurance, high operational availability.

During trials, the SpyLite emerged as a mature system, incorporating unique capabilities and delivering superior performance as compared to systems in the mini-UAV class. The SpyLite demonstrated quick operational readiness supported by launch and recovery in high altitudes and harsh terrains. Its low visual and acoustic signature underlined its suitability for covert operations. Using high-end payloads, the system delivered high quality day and night videos, for an impressive control range and ensured a high level of safety with automatic return home and recovery in "no communication" situations.

The system also demonstrated "operation on the move" while the operator controlled the UAV from a moving vehicle until finally recovering it.

Commenting on the announcement, Ronen Nadir, CEO of BlueBird Aero Systems said: "When looking for the perfect UAV solution, experienced end-users, such as the Indian Army opt for a winning combination of field-proven UAV systems with high performance, diverse capabilities, high reliability, low lifecycle cost, and ease of use. That's what the SpyLite offers, and we are glad it was proven once again in the Indian Army's trials."

NJ Joseph, Managing Director & CEO, Cyient Solutions & Systems commented: "Defence and security forces around the world have come to rely on the SpyLite's exceptional performance. We are delighted that the Indian Army has selected the SpyLite for its operational requirements and feel privileged that these systems will complement the surveillance capabilities of our armed forces on the nation's borders."

About Cyient Solutions & Systems (CSS):Cyient Solutions & Systems (CSS) is a joint venture between Cyient and Israel-based BlueBird Aero Systems that provides UAS-based intelligence gathering, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities for defence, homeland security, and civilian applications. Our unmanned aerial systems operate through a unified, intuitive, and advanced ground control station and are designed to overcome modern security challenges.

About Cyient:Cyient (Estd: 1991, NSE: CYIENT) provides engineering, manufacturing, geospatial, networks, and operations management services to global industry leaders. Cyient leverages the power of digital technology and advanced analytics capabilities, along with domain knowledge and technical expertise, to solve complex business problems. As a Design, Build and Maintain partner, Cyient takes solution ownership across the value chain to help clients focus on their core, innovate, and stay ahead of the curve.

Relationships form the core of how Cyient works. With 15,000 employees in 21 countries, Cyient partners with clients to operate as part of their extended team, in ways that best suit their organization's culture and requirements. Cyient's industry focus includes aerospace and defence, medical, telecommunications, rail transportation, semiconductor, utilities, industrial, energy and natural resources.

About BlueBird Aero Systems:

BlueBird Aero Systems Ltd (founded 2002), is a dominant player in the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry. BlueBird specializes in design, development and production of micro, mini and tactical UAS and peripheral equipment and delivers exceptional, field-proven solutions to meet the challenges of the Military, HLS, and civilian markets.

With a wide spectrum of platforms all operating from a unified, intuitive and advanced ground control station, Bluebird's UAS can reliably perform all kinds of missions in severe weather conditions and without terrain limitations. Bluebird's advanced and mature systems are lightweight, highly manoeuvrable and can operate under rigorous demands with respect to range, endurance and payload requirements.

BlueBird's advanced UAV systems, operational in Israel and worldwide since 2006, have accumulated over 37,000 operational sorties and support open area as well as urban scenarios and Tactical Mapping on Demand (TMOD) for military, HLS, peace-keeping, low intensity conflict, security, disaster management, law enforcement, search & rescue and commercial applications.
 

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IA and ITBP successfully completed the first joint trekking expedition of the Brigade Sector, over Ghunsarang Pass (17,200 ft) and Larsaway Pass (17,400 ft), covering a distance of 155 km on the Zanskar ranges under the aegis of Tripeak Brigade.

Commander Tripeak Brigade flagged in the expedition at Pooh, Himachal Pradesh and commended the efforts and lauded the spirit of jointness and adventure of the men in uniform.

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https://www.news18.com/news/india/n...nvite-to-attend-bimstec-conclave-1874803.html

Nepal Snubs India Again as Army Chief Declines Indian Army's Invite to Attend BIMSTEC Conclave
The development comes in the backdrop of Nepal’s growing closeness to China for deeper economic and security cooperation.

Days after backing out from the first ever military exercise for BIMSTEC countries in India, Nepal has once again snubbed India.

The nation’s newly appointed Army Chief, Purna Chandra Thapa, has declined an invite by the Indian Army to attend a conclave of army chiefs on September 16, PTI reported.

The militaries of BIMSTEC member nations, barring Nepal and Thailand, had begun a week-long exercise at Aundh near Pune on Monday to enhance cooperation in dealing with the challenge of terrorism in the region.

All members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) sent its troops barring Nepal and Thailand, which sent only observers.

The BIMSTEC is a regional grouping comprising Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal. The grouping accounts for 22 per cent of the global population, and has a combined gross domestic product of USD 2.8 trillion.

Officials said that all other BIMSTEC member nations have agreed to participate in the September 16 conclave. They said Nepal's Gen. Thapa conveyed to the Indian Army his inability to attend the conclave as he has prior engagements, including ceremonial events to attend in his country, the sources said. Gen. Thapa was sworn in as Nepal's Army Chief on Sunday.

The development comes in the backdrop of Nepal’s growing closeness to China for deeper economic and security cooperation.

While Nepal did not participate in the BIMSTEC military drill, the nation will take part in a joint exercise with China from September 17-28 in Chengdu and its main focus would be counter-terror operations.

According to Hindustan Times, India has expressed its displeasure with Nepal over its decision to not join the BIMSTEC exercise and has told Kathmandu that its decision was not appropriate and its explanation of internal political pressure was "not convincing".

The Nepal government reportedly made the decision after strong criticism from different quarters, including influential leaders from the ruling Nepal Communist Party.

The two decisions come just after Nepal finalised the Transit and Transportation Agreement with China, which will end India’s monopoly on the country’s transit and allow Kathmandu vital access to Beijing's sea and land ports.

Kathmandu has sought access to Chinese ports to reduce dependence on India since a prolonged blockade of its border crossings with India in 2015 and 2016 left the country short of fuel and medicine for several months. This is not surprising considering Nepal's prime minister KP Sharma Oli is largely known for his 'pro-China' stance.
 

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https://freepresskashmir.com/2018/0...th-by-150000-to-enhance-effectiveness-report/

Indian Army ‘likely’ to cut troops’ strength by 1,50,000 to enhance effectiveness: Report



The Indian Army, in a cadre review, will possibly cut over 150,000 troops in the coming four to five years to enhance the cadres’ effectiveness and ability to prepare for future wars, two officers close with the move told Hindustan Times.

The review was ordered on June 21 and includes reducing the personal strength and merger of different verticals to optimise its functioning, HT reported as of August 13.

Military secretary Lt Gen J S Sandhu, heading an 11-member panel will make a preliminary presentation to Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat by this month’s end. The final report is to be submitted in November.

“Merging of some verticals and rationalising roles are likely to result in cutting 50,000 troops over the next two years. A reduction of 100,000 more personnel may be possible by 2022-23. But all this is in the study phase right now,” said one of the officials.

The troop reduction will come in terms of revamping different verticals including directorates at the army HQs, logistics units, communications establishments, repair facilities and other administrative and support areas, the second official said.

The review placed concerns about how multiple verticals of the army had expanded over the years, despite technology infusion into the system.

“The line between verticals has got blurred, resulting in duplication of charters and associated manning. There is a definite case for reviewing the number of verticals with the aim of restructuring within the vertical as also merging where necessary/possible so as to arrive at economies of scale,” said the order, quoted HT.

Former Northern commander Lieutenant General BS Jaswal (retd) brought attention to the obsolete equipment of the army and negative gaps in their capabilities and said, “Downsizing of combat forces has to be offset against induction of highly sophisticated technical equipment.”

“As far as overlapping duties in logistics departments is concerned, there has to be a structured analysis to see if duplication in functioning can be streamlined into lesser number of modules,” Jaswal said.

“Theoretically, a lot of things may seem possible but you have to get into the realm of practical applications,” he added.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/commanders-agree-on-changes-in-army/652072.html

Commanders agree on changes in Army




The Army top-brass that met in Delhi over restructuring the force has agreed by consensus for a transformation of the Army, even as some issues on which there was no consensus will be discussed again.
Another review on the matter is slated in three weeks from now – that is the first week of October. Sources said some issues relating to faster career progression of officers and the shape of future force structures have not yet been agreed upon.

There was a consensus on the need to transform the Army into lean and mean 21st century battle-ready fighting unit, however, this is not the final decision.
After the review in the first week of October, the matter would be discussed at the Army Commanders’ Conference in October-end, sources said.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had met Commanders of the seven commands of the Army. They have agreed on restructuring the Army headquarters and merger of units doing overlapping work. However, before a final decision is taken, the directorates that are to be merged have been asked for detailed comments.

As per the emerging consensus, the Army is looking to have operations, logistics and procurement under separate heads—each led by a Lieut General-rank official.

At present, the overlap causes delay like the Quarter Master General (QMG) and the Master General Ordnance (MGO) have over lapping roles—both look at procuring new items. The Weapons and Equipment Directorate and the Perspective Planning Cell have over lapping duties.

Sources said the merger could include merging Director General of Military Training (DGMT) with Shimla-based Army Training Command. This could also include moving office of the Director General Rashtriya Rifles (RR) from Delhi to be co-located with the Northern Command at Udhampur. The RR is tasked with fighting insurgency in J&K.

This is the biggest exercise after Independence to review personnel and organisational structure and to explore if the present practice is sustainable.

Eye on transformation
  • There was a consensus on the need to transform the Army into lean and mean 21st century battle-ready fighting unit
  • Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had met Commanders of the seven commands of the Army
  • They agreed on restructuring the Army headquarters and merger of units doing overlapping work
 

Jackd

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Damn, MILEX'18 has been organised at a very bad time. We just finished an exercise with Thailand, then we called them again and this exercise was constituted in a hurry. It would have been better if we had conducted it next year or instead of a Military exercise, if we could have organised a disaster management exercise, an issue which plagues all of the involved nations, then it would have seen a much better turnout.
 

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http://www.defencebarta.com/indigenous-howitzer-to-undergo-firing-trials-in-november/

Indigenous howitzer to undergo firing trials in November


An indigenously designed, developed and manufactured truck mounted howitzer is to undergo its maiden firing trials in November this year.

The Mounted Gun System (MGS) developed by the Gun Carriage Factory (GCF) Jabalpur was first unveiled at the Defexpo in Chennai this April.

Senior Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) officials told India Today that the internal firing trials at the Proof Establishment in Balasore would validate not just the gun but also its integration with the 8×8 Tatra vehicle on which it is mounted.

The test of a new gun system – the fifth type in a series of Army howitzer requirement projected nearly two decades ago – comes at a time when the Army has begun receiving its first guns in over 30 years.

This year the Army will start inducting M-777 Ultra Light Howitzers and K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers and has received a first batch of six Dhanush howitzers, India’s first indigenously developed long range howitzer, after they successfully completed firing trials in Leh and Pokhran.

No new artillery had been purchased since the bribery scandal that followed the March 1986 deal for 41 FH-77B Bofors howitzers.

MOUNTED GUN SYSTEM

Unlike towed artillery which have to be hauled into the battlefield by multi-wheeled trucks, MGS’ are guns mounted on a high-mobility truck. These guns can be brought into battle much faster, carry 18 artillery shells on board and are useful to support mobile infantry in the plains and deserts.

The MGS has a range of over 40 km and will be offered to the Army for user trails after several rounds of internal trials.

Apart from the fact that it is Indian designed, developed and manufactured, one of the biggest advantages of our gun is its commonality of spares, functionality and training with the Army’s existing Bofors and Dhanush howitzers.

– A senior OFB official told India Today
The gun has a modular design with shoot and scoot capability and can fire in all weather conditions and by day and night. It has a GPS aided Inertial Navigation System and a day and night firing capability.

It carries a backup emergency power pack and its all-wheel drive ensures maximum traction in cross-country operations. The specially modified truck has hydraulically operated rear stabilisers to steady the vehicle while firing. The cabin has been reinforced to withstand the shock waves during operations.

Designed by GCF Jabalpur, the MGS builds on the OFB’s successful Dhanush 155×45 mm howitzer. The Dhanush was built from blueprints supplied by the Swedish gun maker as part of the 1986 purchase. The Army has indicated a total requirement of 414 howitzers.

The MGS is being developed in anticipation of an order from the Army.

– An OFB official said
The Army’s requirement for 814 MGS howitzers worth Rs 8,547 crore was given an Acceptance of Necessity (AON) by the Defence Acquisition Council in September 2011.

The AON has since expired and it is still unclear whether the Army will want such a system in the near-term.

Over the next five years, the Army will get 100 Vajras, 145 ULH, 114 Dhanush and 300 130 mm howitzers upgunned to 155 /45 caliber. I don’t see a new howitzer programme on the horizon.

– Says Lt General P Ravi Shankar, former DG Artillery

BUY AND MAKE PROGRAMME

As many as 200 guns are to be bought off the shelf and the remainder to be built within the country through technology transfers to an Indian partner with all deliveries to be completed by the end of the 13th five-year defence plan ending in 2022.

OFB officials say they will pursue the MGS as an export case, in case the Army does not want the gun. The Dhanush, they say, has already received preliminary inquiries from prospective buyers in the Middle East.

FIELD ARTILLERY RATIONALISATION PLAN

The MGS is part of a massive purchase of over 2,800 howitzers as part of its Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP) launched after the Kargil War in 1999.

The FARP envisages standardising the artillery regiments into four types of howitzers-towed by trucks, mounted on a tank chassis, on a wheeled vehicle and ultra-light guns that can be airlifted into battle by helicopters.

Two of the Army’s biggest procurements in the past four years were for howitzers – 145 M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzers for $737 million from the US in November 2016 and an April 2017 deal worth Rs 4,600 crore for 100 K-9 ‘Vajra’ tracked howitzers from South Korea’s Hanwa-Tecwin.
 

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mpatgm first trial done yesterday waiting for official statement..... will post if I get details of the best ...bdw the first test was successful
 

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