Delay by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in completing the development of the Dhanush artillery gun, which is based on the original Bofors gun, is resulting in continued deficiency of modern artillery guns in the Army, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in a report presented in Parliament on Tuesday.
Transfer of technology
In 2011, the OFB offered to produce the gun based on Transfer of Technology (ToT) of 1986 with mechanised upgrade up to 45 calibre integrated with modern electronic sus-system which gives it a capability of auto-alignment and fixation resulting in faster engagement of targets, the report said.
“Pending successful clearance in user trials and consequent finalisation of system configurations, Bulk Production Clearance (BPC) for the indent placed on the OFB in March 2013 was yet to be accorded by the Army. As a result, deficiency in holding of modern artillery gun continues and the Army is compelled to hold old guns with limited operation fire power,” the CAG stated.
Range of 38 km
Dhanush is a 155-mm, 45-calibre gun with a range of 36 km and has demonstrated a range of 38 km with specialised ammunition. It is also compatible with all North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) 155 mm ammunition system.
The first phase of trials were conducted between July and September 2016 at Pokhran and Babina ranges and the second phase was conducted between October and December 2016 at the Siachen base camp with three guns. The last round of user exploitation trials were completed in June and the Army is expected to issue BPC shortly.
The OFB already has an indent from the Army for 114 guns and will start supplying the guns on receipt of BPC. Dhanush is an upgraded version of the Swedish Bofors gun procured by India in the mid-1980s. As of now the gun has over 80% indigenous content.
