The Indian Army is considering a major expansion of its artillery forces through the planned acquisition of 300 additional Dhanush 155 mm towed howitzers. The proposed procurement would mark the second large-scale order for the domestically developed artillery system and is intended to strengthen the army’s long-range firepower capabilities. Earlier, the service placed an order for 114 Dhanush guns, several of which have already been inducted into operational artillery regiments. Expanding the fleet by another 300 systems would significantly increase the army’s artillery capacity and allow the formation of new regimental units while reinforcing existing ones. In the Indian Army’s organizational structure, an artillery regiment typically operates 18 guns. Based on this structure, the additional purchase could support the creation of about 15 new artillery regiments. The Dhanush howitzer is a 155 mm, 45-caliber artillery platform designed to deliver long-range indirect fire support on the battlefield. Manufactured domestically by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, the system represents a modernized derivative of the Bofors FH-77B howitzer that entered service with India during the 1980s. Development of the Dhanush began with technology transferred from the original Swedish Bofors platform and was followed by extensive engineering modifications carried out by Indian defense engineers. These upgrades include improved structural components, enhanced barrel strength, and modifications to the recoil system to increase durability and firing stability. The howitzer also incorporates modern digital fire-control and targeting technologies designed to improve accuracy, reduce response time, and streamline gun-laying procedures during operations. According to available reports, the Dhanush can strike targets at distances of up to 38 kilometers depending on the ammunition configuration used. This represents a significant improvement over the earlier 39-caliber Bofors guns, which generally achieved ranges of about 27 kilometers. The artillery system is also designed for deployment across varied operational conditions, including high-altitude and mountainous regions where the Indian Army frequently conducts missions.
