This is a massive step forward in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
New Delhi: During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces decimated most of Pakistan’s military infrastructure. One of the crucial weapons was the BrahMos missile. Now, India is preparing to launch another highly potent weapon which is an indigenous 155mm artillery shell developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This homemade 155mm artillery shell will not only add more muscle to the might of the Indian Army but also serve as a warning to China as it could strengthen India’s battlefield edge from the mountains of Ladakh to the Line of Control (LoC).
Four variants of this next-gen artillery ammunition have been successfully developed and tested by the DRDO over the past two years. This is a massive step forward in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
For a long time, India had largely relied on Russia and Israel for artillery shells, but with its own advanced 155mm ammunition nearly ready, that dependency may soon end.
Nearly two feet long, these shells weigh approximately 45 kg each and their range is about 32 km. The user trials are scheduled for November this year. Upon clearance, mass production will begin for deployment across India’s armed forces.
Apart from enhancing India’s military infrastructure, this project is also a showcase of public-private partnership in defense. Under DRDO’s Development-cum-Production Partner (DCPP) model, two companies, Jai Ammunition Ltd (a Reliance Infrastructure subsidiary) and Yantra India Ltd, a state-owned firm, have been shortlisted to co-develop and mass-produce the shells.
Both the companies have worked closely with DRDO over the past two years, and will now produce prototypes for the Indian Army’s evaluation. If approved, it could generate large-scale orders and help reduce India’s massive import bill on defense supplies.
Over the next decade, India’s artillery ammunition market is projected to be worth over Rs 10,000 crore. Also, given their superior technology, the shells will be considered for exports.
India’s reputation as the developer and manufacturer of world-class weapons at reasonable price could make India a sought-after player in the global arms market.
