First batch of 6 Dhanush guns to be issued to Indian Army today
| Date :26-Mar-2019 |
Staff Reporter,
On February 18, 2019, OFB received the bulk production clearance of manufacturing of 114 guns. Now GCF is ready with six Dhanush guns for issuance to Indian Army
Director General Ordnance Factories (DGOF) and Chairman of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Saurabh Kumar will be flagging off issuance of first batch of 6 Dhanush guns from Gun Carriage Factory (GCF). Jabalpur to Indian Army (JOD) after BPC, on March 26. On February 18, 2019, OFB received the bulk production clearance of manufacturing of 114 guns. Now GCF is ready with six Dhanush guns for issuance to Indian Army. In a formal function to be organised in GCF on March 26, Saurabh Kumar, IOFS, DGOF & Chairman OFB, will be flagging of issuance of first batch of 6 Dhanush guns from GCF, Jabalpur to Indian Army (JOD). The occasion will be graced by senior dignitaries ADG Artillery, Controller CQA(W), Commandant JOD, WDET Programme Coordinator and his team. From OFB side, Hari Mohan, IOFS Member OFB, Alok Prasad, IOFS, DDG OFB, will be present. Senior GMs/GMs of sister OF’s will also be present on the occasion.
The 155mm x 45 Cal FH Gun ‘Dhanush’ is a new generation towed Artillery gun with major upgraded features over the existing 155/39 cal. FH 77 B02 Gun. Indigenisation to the extent of approximately 81%, has already been achieved. By end of 2019, the indigenisation level will go upto 91%. The Dhanush Gun has undoubtedly emerged as a reliable and robust Gun system at par with the latest in the world and will increase the firepower of the Indian Artillery manifold. It is truly ‘Make in India’ marvel and is being inducted in the Indian Army on 26.03.2019. It may be noted that, the indigenously developed ‘Dhanush 155’ gun was accorded green signal for bulk production of 144 guns by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). DAC cleared the way for development of an indigenous artillery gun system after a gap of over 30 years with involvement of all stakeholders. DAC categorised the procurement as ‘Buy Indian from OFB’ and Indent for quantity 114 guns was issued. However, production was to start after grant of Bulk Production Clearance. Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur, General Manager, Rajneesh Johri has dedicated the achievement to all the officers and employees of GCF and other units for successfully accomplishing the field gun trials. The project was a major challenge for OFB in terms of timelines, technical complexities, magnitude and importance. It was rightly called a national project, requiring synergy of various production units under OFB, Directorate of Artillery, 506 ABW, COD, DRDO, DGQA, Public and Private Sector.
The unique feature of this user-led project was the formation of Weapon Development and Execution Team (WDET) posted at GCF, Jabalpur for quick interaction and resolving issues, taking input from user side and monitoring the project. The 155mm x 45 Cal FH Gun ‘Dhanush’ is a new generation towed Artillery gun with major upgraded features over the existing 155/39 caliber FH 77 B02 Gun. Indigenisation to the extent of approximately 81 percent, has already been achieved. By end of 2019, the indigenisation level will go upto 91 percent.
Another unique feature of this project was the introduction of concept of User Exploitation. This was a novel concept, which was introduced for any gun system undergoing user trials (GSQR Trials) for the first time. Normally, acceptance of any gun system by Indian Army is based on GSQR trials, in which, approximately 200 rounds are fired from one prototype. However, in the case of 155mm/45 calibre Dhanush Gun, completion of User Exploitation in six Dhanush guns, in addition to completion of GSQR trials, was also laid down as a pre-requisite for GS evaluation/Grant of BPC. As part of User Exploitation, 6 guns were handed over to the user, i.e. Indian Army for extensive exploitation in high altitude area and deserts/plains from July 2016 to June 2018 and a total of 1,520 rounds were fired during the exercise. Starting from November 2012, till date, 12 prototypes have been manufactured at GCF and a total of 4599 rounds have been fired during various internal and user trials. This makes the Dhanush Gun system, ‘the most exploited artillery gun system in the country’. The Dhanush Gun has undoubtedly emerged as a reliable and robust gun system at par with the latest in the world and will increase the fire power of the Indian Artillery manifold. It is truly ‘Make in India’ marvel and is ready for induction in the Indian Army.
