DRDO, PSU and Private Defence Sector News

[Blood+]

We need about 7k of those 155mm guns and about 12 million rounds to sustain 100k shots per day for 4 months.

I don't think we can manage 7k, at least not without drastically increasing the defense budget. And as for munitions, check this out - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...shells-in-four-years/articleshow/91715181.cms
Makes for a really depressing read. I just don't get these Indian gernails.

 

[Blood+]

The ideal reqirement is of 120 medium regiment each with 20 guns ( includes 2 TRG/Replacement pieces) , so 2,400 medium guns is what we need. Right now we have some 90 medium regiments. Pakis too are holding some 60-65 medium regiments.

The actual requirement of 155mm guns of all types as set by the army under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan stands at 3200-3600 units. As of now, the plan that has been set is -
1. Upgrade/ replace the existing 410 pieces of FH-77Bs with OFB Dhanush L/45 guns based on the same.
2. Upgrade the existing 1400 or so M-46 field guns to 155mm L/45 Metamorphosis standards dubbed as Sahrang.
3. 145 M777 howitzers with possible additional orders.
4. 100 K9 Vajras with 200 additional units likely to be purchased for the LAC.
5. ATAGS (number not yet determined).
6. Yet undecided mounted gun system.

So the number is definitely gonna exceed 2400 and maybe even that 3600 figure.

 

[Blood+]

1. Artillery Shells
2. Tank Rounds
3. Small Arms Ammunition
4. Explosive
5. Propellants
6. Barrel for Artillery guns
7. Barrel for small arms
8. Naval vessels
9. Fuselage or sub-assemblies of fuselage for fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft
10. Avionics and Electronics
11. Chemicals
12. PPE and clothing
13. Contract R&D, know-how and Patents
14. Test Kits

You forgot to add body armor and ballistic helmets which constitute a huge portion of our defense exports.

 

[Angel of War]

The actual requirement of 155mm guns of all types as set by the army under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan stands at 3200-3600 units. As of now, the plan that has been set is -
1. Upgrade/ replace the existing 410 pieces of FH-77Bs with OFB Dhanush L/45 guns based on the same.
2. Upgrade the existing 1400 or so M-46 field guns to 155mm L/45 Metamorphosis standards dubbed as Sahrang.
3. 145 M777 howitzers with possible additional orders.
4. 100 K9 Vajras with 200 additional units likely to be purchased for the LAC.
5. ATAGS (number not yet determined).
6. Yet undecided mounted gun system.

So the number is definitely gonna exceed 2400 and maybe even that 3410 figure.

if you want to convert all 130mm guns to 155mm then the number will reach 3400. I did not assume that in my calculation because There are no further orders given to OFB yet other than the one for 300 guns which is already under delivery. 180 guns had been delivered by soltem somewhere in 2008. God knows what will happen to the other 1000 130mm guns, there is no indication of converting them to 155mm as of now.

 

[Love Charger]

if you want to convert all 130mm guns to 155mm then the number will reach 3400. I did not assume that in my calculation because There are no further orders given to OFB yet other than the one for 300 guns which is already under delivery. 180 guns had been delivered by soltem somewhere in 2008. God knows what will happen to the other 1000 130mm guns, there is no indication of converting them to 155mm as of now.

I now hate towed guns , extra trucks more fuel etc
I have a wicked plan,

Convert m46 to 155 mm standards. Slap it on a tank chassy,
And you get a respectable 155 mm artillery gun .
Which can move .

 

[Dark Sorrow]

You forgot to add body armor and ballistic helmets which constitute a huge portion of our defense exports.

I have mentioned PPE.

 

[ezsasa]

Baba Kalyani Interview - Sansad TV
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The Defenders - Bharat Forge: Making Arms for India | 09 July, 2022

 

[Photon]

HAL Patent

 

[Angel of War]

I now hate towed guns , extra trucks more fuel etc
I have a wicked plan, View attachment 163881
Convert m46 to 155 mm standards. Slap it on a tank chassy,
And you get a respectable 155 mm artillery gun .
Which can move .

We had these catapults for 130mm guns on vijayanta chasis . they were retired last year after induction of K9 was completed

 

[Blood+]

if you want to convert all 130mm guns to 155mm then the number will reach 3400. I did not assume that in my calculation because There are no further orders given to OFB yet other than the one for 300 guns which is already under delivery. 180 guns had been delivered by soltem somewhere in 2008. God knows what will happen to the other 1000 130mm guns, there is no indication of converting them to 155mm as of now.

They are upgrading them in batches, eventually the whole inventory will be up-gunned. And if that doesn't happen then the number will be made up by either ATAGS or Dhanush because the requirement for towed guns itself was pegged at more than 2000 pieces.

 

[Okabe Rintarou]

God knows what will happen to the other 1000 130mm guns, there is no indication of converting them to 155mm as of now.

Retired and replaced by new 155mm. Most likely Dhanush. ATAGS and (hopefully not) Athos.

I now hate towed guns , extra trucks more fuel etc
I have a wicked plan, View attachment 163881
Convert m46 to 155 mm standards. Slap it on a tank chassy,
And you get a respectable 155 mm artillery gun .
Which can move .

Tank Chassis adds FOL and maintenance. Better to go for ATAGS on a truck chassis. But for some reason (most likely Pakistan's weaker Artillery) Indian Army top brass is unperturbed about having lots of towed guns. Hopefully they didn't put 1500 towed howitzer requirement in the FARP due to budget considerations.

 

[Angel of War]

Retired and replaced by new 155mm. Most likely Dhanush. ATAGS and (hopefully not) Athos.

130mm M46 is nowhere close to retirement atleast till 2030. If they Upgrade it to 155mm then it could possibly serve till 2050

 

[Okabe Rintarou]

130mm M46 is nowhere close to retirement atleast till 2030. If they Upgrade it then it could possibly serve till 2050

The issue is also that 155mm M46 upgrade is a field gun, not a howitzer. That may be why they are dithering on upgrading the rest of them.

 

[Dark Sorrow]

130mm M46 is nowhere close to retirement atleast till 2030. If they Upgrade it to 155mm then it could possibly serve till 2050

OFB is upgunning M46 to 155mm. These guns are expected to be service till 2050s.

 

[Dark Sorrow]

The issue is also that 155mm M46 upgrade is a field gun, not a howitzer. That may be why they are dithering on upgrading the rest of them.

The reason is cost. Up-gunning and buying a new gun have similar cost.

 

[Super Flanker]

Good news : HAL has launched the metal cutting for titanium bulkhead of 5th generation AMCA.

 

[Angel of War]

Good news : HAL has launched the metal cutting for titanium bulkhead of 5th generation AMCA.

Mithai to banti hai

 

[Super Flanker]

Good news : HAL has launched the metal cutting for titanium bulkhead of 5th generation AMCA.

Incase you want to know what is a bulkhead :

"A bulkhead is a physical partition that divides a plane into different classes or sections. Typically, a bulkhead is a wall but can also be a curtain or screen. Bulkheads can be found throughout the plane, separating the seats from the galley and lavatory areas" -

 

[Super Flanker]

 

[Okabe Rintarou]

View attachment 163900View attachment 163901

As expected, the AMCA titanium bulkhead is not single-piece. We don't have a large enough hydraulic press forge.
See red circle:-