In 2007, I wrote this article Blind men of Hindustan Army. To quote ” Artillery: After a lot of trials, Indian Army had selected best available option for artillery induction. Unlike Arjun Tank, which is made for Indian conditions, Indian Army had no foresight to develop this crucial component. There is another dimension to it. The current coalition government is headed by the same political party which has been accused of taking bribe during last purchase of artillery guns from Bofors. Since Indian Army had finalized guns from Bofors Defence (now owned by the BAE Systems) again, it’s unlikely the purchase is likely to happen. Another of the self propelled gun system from Denel, South Africa, which was under consideration, is now in cold storage because of a bribery case. The project is called “Bhim.”

In 2009, how this has come true even though if the situations have changed a bit.

Indian Army’s Rs 15,000+ crore artillery modernisation programme is in trouble again. Singapore Technologies which was competing for US $ 650 million 155 mm towed artillery guns for the Indian Army, has been black listed.

As per the Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) (a laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO)), website “In the wake of the 1962 Chinese aggression, for our hardpressed gunners defending our mountain borders, ARDE, jointly with the Ordnance Factories developed and produced 75/24 Pack Howitzer and a whole family of ammunition viz., HE, Smoke and Illuminating. This light weight howitzer could be broken down into smaller units for mule transportation in the mountains or could be carried underslung by helicopter. The weapon system saw action in the 1971 operations. This was the first artillery gun system developed indigenously.”

The same facility (ARDE), subsequently made 105 mm Indian Field Gun (IFG), Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher Systems and 120mm Main Armament and Ammunition system for the ARJUN MBT.

There have been mess ups with gun upgrade contracts with OFB (not DRDO), but, it takes continuous research and development to keep up with the technology.

Kargil War has not jolted Indian Army over the fiasco with the 155 mm gun ammunition. It has imported huge volumes. What if the war had escalated?

Indian Army till date does not has an indigenous 155mm gun program. It has not not even looked at Non Line of Sight (NLOS) weapons which the world is moving to.

DRDO did have a 155mm gun design is 1990′s, but, our Indian Army wouldn’t approve of it.

In near future, if a war erupts against China, will it be the Chinese artillery or lack of Indian artillery that will put India at a disadvantage? Even Indian Air Force, like Indian Navy has moved on indigenous path, when will Indian Army learn? lack of good leadership at Indian Army for past 3 decades is showing.