India’s long-range artillery gun Dhanush last year successfully passed its final test at Pokhran, Rajasthan mid last year before passing through similar tests under severe cold conditions in Sikkim and Leh and in hot and humid weather in Balasore, Odisha, Babina in Jhansi. Now Dhanush is all set to be inducted in the Indian Army.
During the third and final phase of user exploitation firings conducted from May 31 to June 7, 2018 at Pokhran field firing range, six Dhanush guns were fired in battery formation with 301 rounds each. With this test, Dhanush artillery gun has been tested in all terrains. Indian Army has so far not inducted any new artillery guns since Bofors guns. It has placed an initial order for 114 Dhanush guns and is expected to order another 400 plus more.
“JABALPUR is the only city in the world which has the most advanced artillery expertise to develop world class weapons. Collaboration of efficiency and skills in Jabalpur based defence establishments, Gun Carriage Factory, Central Ordnance Depot, 506 Army Base Workshop, Controller Quality Assurance (Weapons) is unmatched in the world. Efficiency of state-of-art Dhanush gun can be imagined by the export order of its barrels placed by Bofors Company, Sweden, for its own research and development. Dhanush Gun system being manufactured in GCF Jabalpur is best gun in the world for its longest range and finest accuracy which has successfully accomplished Inspection Note to start its bulk production to strengthen national security,” said Hari Mohan, Member (Weapon, Vehicle and Electronics), Ordnance Factory Board, Kolkata.
He informed this while talking to the media persons after Inspection Note handing over ceremony at GCF on Friday. He informed that the Indian Army has requirement of total 414 guns and it has already placed order for production of 114 guns in next three years. GCF has successfully handed over six guns and six are ready for dispatch. Efforts are being made to provide 18 guns in next one year in the first phase. Handing over of Inspection Note as quality certification from Director General Quality Assurance (DGQA) will bring pace in bulk production of Dhanush. The 45-calibre/155-mm Dhanush Gun has longest firing range up to 38-kilometres with electronic control system to improve its response time of firing 6 rounds in a minute and ballistic computer system to enhance high level firing accuracy. GCF has acquired new machinery and developing new production units to ensure bulk production of Dhanush Gun in near future. Successful development of state-of-art gun system is a major achievement of Ordnance Factory Board and Ministry of Defence to strengthen artillery power the Indian Army for national security.
Dhanush The Gun
It has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata based on requirements of Indian Army and manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory (GCF). It is 155mm x 45mm calibre artillery gun.
Its armament system comprises a barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism and recoil mechanism to fire 155 mm calibre ammunition. It has strike range of 38 kilometres (11 km more than imported Bofors guns) with accuracy and precision. It provides greater fire power, depending on type of ammunition used. It also has night firing capability in direct fire mode. It also has night firing capability in direct fire mode. Its armament system comprises a barrel, muzzle brake, breech mechanism and recoil mechanism to fire 155 mm calibre ammunition. It has several significant advance features, including an all-electric drive, high mobility, quick deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system and automated command and control system. It has six round magazine, instead of a standard three round one. It weighs slightly more than normal due to the larger chamber.
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It has several significant advance features, including an all-electric drive, high mobility, quick deployability, auxiliary power mode, advanced communication system and automated command and control system. It has six round magazine, instead of standard three round. It weighs slightly more than normal due to the larger chamber. Its 81% components are indigenously sourced and it will be scaled up to 90% by 2019. Its imported systems include power pack, parts of the electronic suite, and some seals and bearings. Each of this gun costs about Rs 14.50 crore while each shell costs Rs. 1 lakh. Indian Army has ordered 114 guns that will be delivered within four years.
Dhanush Gun Gets Quality Certification From DGQA
INDIGENOUSLY developed Dhanush Gun system finally accorded quality certification from Director General Quality Assurance (DGQA) to kickstart its bulk production on Friday. DGQA handed over the Inspection Note to Gun Carriage Factory in a graceful ceremony at Dhanush Production Unit, GCF.
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Addressing the program, OFB member Hari Mohan termed the quality certification of Dhanush-155 has biggest milestone for GCF, Central Ordnance Depot, 506 Army Base Workshop and other agencies involved in successful development of Dhanush Gun system. He congratulated the Team Dhanush for 10 years’ rigorous research and development in developing most advanced gun system. He applauded work culture and collaborative efforts made by different defence establishments include GCF, DGQA, DDRT, 506 Army Base Workshop, COD Jabalpur, Proof Range as an ideal team-work to make the country proud on state-of-art gun.
The achievement has synergised the entire defence production mechanism to continue the production of most advanced defence products in future. Speaking on the occasion, GCF, General Manager, Rajnish Johri detailed about challenges faced by GCF and other concerned departments in indigenous production of Dhanush Gun system and expressed gratitude towards all the officers, employees and other defence establishments for achieving the complicated task.
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