Kalyani Strategic Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge, is advancing toward proof testing of two indigenous naval artillery platforms—a 30mm close-in naval gun and a 76mm medium-calibre shipborne cannon—with trials scheduled to commence in 2026 as part of India’s broader naval modernisation and indigenisation drive. The programme represents a significant step in strengthening domestic capabilities in shipboard weapon systems that have traditionally relied on foreign suppliers, with the 30mm gun expected to reach proof-testing readiness by August 2026, indicating steady progress toward operational validation. Both systems are designed specifically for maritime deployment rather than being adapted from land-based artillery, incorporating features such as ship motion stabilisation, enhanced recoil absorption, corrosion-resistant materials, and seamless integration with naval combat management and fire control systems. Bharat Forge’s entry into naval artillery is underpinned by its established experience in medium- and heavy-calibre artillery, particularly in the 105mm and 155mm segments, which recently received international validation through a Letter of Intent signed with U.S. defence firm AM General at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi, marking the first export of Indian-manufactured artillery systems to the United States. Company leadership has characterised the agreement as a milestone achievement, reflecting growing global confidence in Kalyani Strategic Systems’ engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The 30mm naval gun employs the NATO-standard 30×173mm calibre and builds on modular turret technologies previously demonstrated during infantry combat vehicle trials, offering an effective engagement range exceeding 2,000 metres and supporting multiple ammunition types including armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot rounds and high-explosive incendiary munitions for asymmetric surface threats and low-altitude aerial targets. Naval-specific enhancements differentiate the system from land-based versions tested at the Balasore range, enabling reliable performance under dynamic sea-state conditions. The 76mm naval gun is intended to serve as a multi-role weapon capable of engaging surface vessels, aircraft, and incoming missile threats, drawing design inspiration from compact, high-rate-of-fire legacy naval guns while remaining fully indigenised to align with Indian Navy operational requirements. Expected to achieve firing rates of up to 120 rounds per minute, the system could extend engagement ranges to approximately 40 km with guided munitions, providing a significant enhancement to medium-calibre shipboard firepower. Proof testing in 2026 will evaluate recoil forces, structural durability, firing accuracy, barrel life, and integration with electro-optical sensors and fire control systems critical for naval combat effectiveness. The naval gun programme complements Bharat Forge’s expanding defence portfolio, which includes a ₹2,770 crore carbine contract and a ₹250 crore underwater systems order awarded by the Ministry of Defence under fast-track procedures, both slated for completion by late 2026. To support this growth, manufacturing infrastructure at Jejuri near Pune is being expanded, leveraging advanced metallurgy and precision engineering expertise to scale production capacity to 50,000–60,000 units annually, while recent GRSE trials of indigenous 30mm naval surface guns further demonstrate the increasing maturity and readiness of India’s domestic naval weapons ecosystem.
