Dhanush (howitzer)

2022-12-21T19:01:55Z

2600:1700:45F0:5710:81E5:AB1D:3FB9:8A0C: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

{{Infobox weapon
| name = Dhanush
| image = Dhanush howitzer during Republic Day Parade 2017.jpg
| image_size = 300
| caption = The Dhanush in public display.
| origin = India
| type = [[Howitzer]]
| is_ranged = yes
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive =
| is_artillery = yes
| is_vehicle =
| is_missile =
| is_UK = 
| service = [[India]]
| used_by = [[Indian Army]]
| wars = 
| designer = [[Ordnance Factory Board]]
| design_date = 2010
| manufacturer = [[Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited]] (previously [[Ordnance Factory Board]])
| unit_cost = US$ 2.11 million (₹ 14 crore)<ref>[http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india/indian-army-to-induct-indigenous-artillery-gun-dhanush-first-since-the-bofors-scandal-1087757.html Indian Army to induct indigenous artillery gun Dhanush, first since the Bofors scandal]</ref>
| production_date = 2015 onwards
| number = 18<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Rahul |title=Indian Army eyes major firepower upgrade to counter China |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-army-eyes-major-firepower-upgrade-to-counter-china-101664280649581.html |access-date=27 September 2022 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=27 September 2022}}</ref>
| variants = 
| spec_label =
| weight = 13000 kg
| length = * 45 Caliber 
* 52 Caliber (upgrade)
| part_length =
| width =
| height =
| traverse_diameter =
| crew = 6-8
| cartridge =
| cartridge_weight =
| caliber = [[155 mm]] (Compatible with all NATO 155mm ammunition system)
| barrels =
| action = Auto gun alignment and positioning
| rate = * '''Burst:''' 3 rounds in 15 sec 
* '''Intense:''' 15 rounds in 3 min 
* '''Sustained:''' 60 rounds in 60 min
| velocity =
| range =
| max_range = * 38 km <ref>[http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/indian-artillery-guns-make-a-splash-at-defexpo-114020800949_1.html Indian artillery guns make a splash at DefExpo]</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=N C Bipindra |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/%E2%80%98Dhanush%E2%80%99-Ready-after-Final-Trials-in-Pokhran/2014/06/21/article2291439.ece |title='Dhanush' Ready after Final Trials in Pokhran |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=2014-06-21 |access-date=2015-06-23}}</ref> 
* 42 km (upgraded version) 
* 60 km+ (using Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell, under development)<ref>{{cite news |last1=MP |first1=Sidharth |title=IIT-M working on next-gen Ramjet-powered 155mm artillery shells for Indian Army |url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iit-m-working-on-next-gen-ramjet-powered-155mm-artillery-shells-for-indian-army-282090 |access-date=22 August 2022 |publisher=WION |date=21 February 2022}}</ref>
| automation = Servo based elevation and traverse Electrically operated ammunition handling
| sights = Thermal sight Gunners display
| breech = Screw type
| recoil = Electro-rheological/Magneto-rheological
| mobility = With towing vehicle 40kmph, Self propelled 12kmph with 95kw APU
| elevation = -3°/+70°
| traverse = 30° left or right from centreline<ref name="jdw-9apr19">{{cite news |last1=Bedi |first1=Rahul |title=Indian Army receives first six of 114 Dhanush howitzers |url=https://www.janes.com/article/87786/indian-army-receives-first-six-of-114-dhanush-howitzers |work=Jane's Defence Weekly |publisher=Jane's Information Group |date=9 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410222539/https://www.janes.com/article/87786/indian-army-receives-first-six-of-114-dhanush-howitzers |archive-date=10 April 2022}}</ref>
}}

The '''Dhanush''' is a 155 mm towed [[howitzer]] manufactured by [[Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited]] previously a part of [[Ordnance Factory Board]]. The gun was approved for service in 2019.<ref name="Delivery">{{cite news |title=Indian Artillery Gun Dhanush Fails Trials Thirce In Three Months |url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/20268/Indian_Artillery_Gun_Dhanush_Fails_Trials_Thirce_In_Three_Months#.X4wq9sgzY2w |work=defenseworld.net |date=16 August 2022}}</ref>

==Development==
The Dhanush project was started by [[Ordnance Factories Board|OFB]] to replace the older [[Indian Field Gun|105 mm Indian Field Gun]], 105 mm [[OFB 105mm SPG|Light Field Gun]] and the Russian 122 mm guns with a modern 155 mm artillery gun. It is manufactured by OFB at its [[Gun Carriage Factory Jabalpur]].

The initial indigenous development of artillery guns in India started in the 1970s with the Artillery Gun Development Team under Brigadier Gurdyal Singh at Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newsbharati.com/Encyc/2019/4/8/Dhanush-artillery-gun.amp.html | title=An eye on fixed target 'Dhanush' is all set to serve nation: Artillery gun inducted in the Indian Army }}</ref> This resulted in the introduction of 105 mm artillery guns into the [[Indian Army]].

The purchase of [[Haubits FH77]] guns manufactured by [[Bofors]] in the 1980s included technology transfer to OFB. After many years being unable to acquire or import foreign artillery guns due to the corruption charges, OFB developed the Dhanush gun.

In trials it came out better by 20 to 25 percent than the Haubits FH77 in parameters like range, accuracy, consistency, low and high angle of fire and shoot-and-scoot ability.<ref>{{cite news|title=Desi Bofors howitzer undergoes final trials in major boost to indigenization|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Desi-Bofors-howitzer-undergoes-final-trials-in-major-boost-to-indigenization/articleshow/36922267.cms|access-date=18 July 2016|work= The Times of India}}</ref>

Three ''Dhanush'' guns were handed over to the [[Indian Army]] for user trials in July 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/gun-carriage-factory-hands-over-dhanush-guns-to-army/article8862254.ece|title=Gun Carriage Factory hands over 3 'Dhanush' guns to Army|date=2016-07-17|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-07-17}}</ref> Battery trials were expected to be completed by July 2017 with 18 guns entering service in 2017, 36 guns in 2018 and 60 guns in 2019, for an Indian Army order of 114 guns.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-to-induct-18-dhanush-artillery-guns-this-year/article18709318.ece|title= Army to Induct 18 Dhanush Artillery Guns This Year
|date=2017-06-02|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-04}}</ref>
However, the Ordinance factory board hasn't delivered the first regiment of this gun as of 12th Aug 2021. Each regiment has 18 guns and two are reserved. They have an initial order of 114 guns to be executed.<ref name="Delivery"/>

The Dhanush experienced a few problem during trials, failing on three occasions in a row in 2017.<ref name="artillery">{{cite news |title=Why L&T is offering the Indian army a homegrown artillery gun |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-l-t-is-offering-the-indian-army-a-homegrown-artillery-gun-1839576-2021-08-11 |work=indiatoday.in |date=12 August 2021}}</ref>

It was reported in July 2017 that the howitzer failed the last phase of testing, due to the shell hitting the [[muzzle brake]]. A redesign of the barrel by widening it was being considered to solve the issue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/desi-howitzer-fails-last-phase-of-tests/articleshow/59691394.cms|title=Desi howitzer fails last phase of tests | India News - Times of India|website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/desi-howitzer-fails-last-phase-of-tests/articleshow/59694586.cms|title = Made in India howitzer fails last phase of tests|newspaper = The Economic Times|last1 = Arya|first1 = Shishir}}</ref> Later an investigation revealed the incident happened due to a defective shell. Further trials were conducted by firing about 5000 shells in the desert regions and icy glaciers of the Himalayas without any incident. The gun is planned to enter service in four to five months.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/specials/2018/04/27/shots-on-target-finally.html|title=Shots on target, finally|work=The Week|access-date=2018-05-04|language=en}}</ref> In June 2018, Dhanush completed final development trials.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dhanush artillery gun clears final test, ready for induction: Official |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/dhanush-artillery-gun-clears-final-test-ready-for-induction-official/articleshow/64511167.cms |work=The Economic Times |agency=Press Trust of India |publisher=The Times Group |date=8 June 2022}}</ref> In February 2019, it was approved for series production.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bedi |first1=Rahul |title=Indian MoD approves local production of 114 Dhanush howitzers |url=https://www.janes.com/article/86615/indian-mod-approves-local-production-of-114-dhanush-howitzers |work=Jane's Defence Weekly |date=19 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220170216/https://www.janes.com/article/86615/indian-mod-approves-local-production-of-114-dhanush-howitzers |archive-date=20 February 2019 |url-status=live |location=New Delhi}}</ref>

The gun was officially inducted by the army on 8 April 2019. [[93 Field Regiment]] becoming one of the first units to be armed with this gun and had the honour to participate in the 71st [[Delhi Republic Day parade|Republic Day Parade]] and [[Army Day (India)|Army Day]] parade in 2020 with its new equipment.<ref>{{Cite news|last=ANI|date=2020-01-26|title=India's military strength, cultural diversity at display during 71st Republic Day Parade|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/india-s-military-strength-cultural-diversity-at-display-during-71st-republic-day-parade-120012600440_1.html|access-date=2021-04-06}}</ref>

=== Upgrade ===
[[Advanced Weapons and Equipment India]] upgraded 155 mm/45 calibre into 155 mm/52 calibre gun which can now fire upto 42 km. Dhanush weighs less than 14 tons, and is considered the lightest howitzer in the 155 mm category. The newly upgraded gun has double baffle muzzle brake and retractable barrel. The upgraded Dhanush successfully completed the testing phase.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kajal |first=Kapil |date=20 October 2022 |title=Defexpo 2022: India upgrades Dhanush towed guns |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/defexpo-2022-india-upgrades-dhanush-towed-guns |access-date=2022-10-20 |website=Janes |language=en}}</ref>

=== Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell ===
[[IIT Madras]] along with [[IIT Kanpur]], [[Armament Research and Development Establishment]] (ARDE) and [[Research Centre Imarat]] (RCI) are working on redesigning an existing 155 mm shell using [[ramjet]] propulsion with 60 km+ range that will be compatible with Dhanush. It will use precision guidance kit for trajectory correction. IIT Madras is ensuring that [[Munitions India]] can manufacture the shells.<ref>{{cite news |last1=MP |first1=Sidharth |title=IIT-M working on next-gen Ramjet-powered 155mm artillery shells for Indian Army |url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iit-m-working-on-next-gen-ramjet-powered-155mm-artillery-shells-for-indian-army-282090 |access-date=22 August 2022 |publisher=WION |date=21 February 2022}}</ref>

==Variant==
A vehicle mounted variant of the gun called Mounted Gun System was showcased by OFB at the Defexpo 2018 show. The gun is mounted on a 8x8 [[Tatra (company)|Tatra]] truck manufactured under license by [[Bharat Earth Movers Limited#Trucks|Bharat Earth Movers Limited]] (BEML) and has a 30 km/h cross country speed and 80 km/h road speed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/79422/defexpo-2018-ofb-showcases-155-mm-52-calibre-mounted-gun-system|title=Defexpo 2018: OFB showcases 155 mm/52 calibre Mounted Gun System {{!}} Jane's 360|website=www.janes.com|access-date=2018-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627145036/http://www.janes.com/article/79422/defexpo-2018-ofb-showcases-155-mm-52-calibre-mounted-gun-system|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Users==


*{{flag|India}}: [[Indian Army]] - 114 units ordered, 18 delivered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-l-t-is-offering-the-indian-army-a-homegrown-artillery-gun-1839576-2021-08-11|title=Why L&T is offering the Indian army a homegrown artillery gun|work=India Today}}</ref> First regiment is operational near [[Line of Actual Control]] (LAC). Second regiment of 18 guns will be raised by March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Rahul |date=2022-09-27 |title=Indian Army eyes major firepower upgrade to counter China |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-army-eyes-major-firepower-upgrade-to-counter-china-101664280649581.html |access-date=2022-09-27 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[DRDO Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System]]
*[[Haubits FH77]]
*[[Bharat-52]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}

{{commons category|Dhanush (howitzer)}}

[[Category:Field artillery]]
[[Category:Artillery of India]]
[[Category:155 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 2010s]]

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Dhanush (howitzer)