Dhanush gun delay: Public Accounts Committee of Parliament i.e. Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed concern on delays in the production of Indian Army’s indigenous bow 155 mm/45 caliber cannon. Many of the most important things that are related to are revealed. This report doesn’t just matter the delay in the delivery of bow cannon, but also tells what technical difficulties, lack of infrastructure and skill gaps were encountered while developing this system in India.
As per PAC report Bow Project Started in 2011. The motive was to prepare an electronic and mechanically upgraded cannon of 155 mm/45 caliber for the Indian Army. The first Ordnance Factory Board in this work i.e. OFB’s major role. After the corporateization of OFB, the company associated with ARMAMENTS is associated with AIWEIL i.e. Advanced Vapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) production.
Dhanush gun production delay: Why need the bow project?
Indian Army Has Long 155 Mm/39 Caliber Boforce Sops existed. The contract of the purchase of these cannons took place in 1986 with Sweden’s company AB Boforce. The agreement also included technology transfer, creating some assemblies and sub-assemblies in India.
But the new artillery gun may not be included for a long time. The reduction of 39 caliber cannons was significantly increased by 2009. Following this, India chose to develop new cannon based on its existing potential. The Defence Acquisition Council i.e. DAC approved the ‘Bi Indian’ category for the purchase of 155 mm/39 and 45 caliber guns in October 2011. Then the bow project began.
Technical Challenges in the beginning
The Ministry of Defence in the report pointed out that before India Artillery Gun was not designed and manufactured. Prepared within 12 months close to the approval of the first two prototype DAC. After this, the detailed investigation and trial of these began. Further prototypes were prepared based on the results of the trial.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the problem was that many important parts of the Gun as well as it had to be designed and developed for the first time in India. So the method of testing and evaluation as well as the production gradually evolved. Dhanush Gun delay production
Damage to barrels and mascara brakes during test in 2012
Validation firing was carried out in May 2012 at the earliest stage of bow development. Damage to the barrel and mascara brake of the gun during this time.
Thereafter new approval for further process in September 2012 based on 45 caliber barrels and electronic subsystem checks. Indent of creating guns to OFB in March 2013.
Some technical problems were revealed even in subsequent tests. Majal Break during User Exploitation Firing in July 2017 and all-systems associated with him were spoiled. It was then examined.
Ministry of Defence No one reason in the subsequent investigation was found responsible for the event. During the investigation into the Balasore-based Proof and Experitial Establishment i.e. PXE, pressure oscillation was observed due to the burning of propelent. In the Board of Officers’ Investigation Report in July 2018, the failure of the mascara break was not linked to the wastage system. Dhanush Gun delay production
User trials were longer than normal guns
Testing of bows also remained longer than normal process. The ministry told the PAC that the bow was also tested in three guns’ True Formation and six guns’ battery formation.
In general, a new gun can also be checked as a single gun during a user trial. But the bow was laid in different formulations as per the need for the army.
Bulk Production Clearance (BPC) for bow as per report found in February 2019. Earlier, it took a long development, trial and event phase. Dhanush Gun delay production
BPC milled in 2019, yet production stuck
A few bow guns were released to the army in March 2019 after receiving the BPC. After that the factory started preparing for mass production.
The factory had prepared several sub-assemblies at its level. But the final integration of the gun was connected to electronic suits and electrical systems. As per report BEL These systems meet in January 2020.
Following this, some guns were sent PXE Balasore by 20 March 2020 for the final proof test. During this, the national lockdown began in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021 Technical Review
In addition to the Department of Defence Production for reviewing all the parties connected to the bow project, the Secretary meeting on July 29, 2021. The technical issues taken in this meeting as per the Ministry were resolved after the joint effort of the concerned parties.
Then the gun was passed proof and the successful confidence firing occurred in the Pokhran Field firing range on March 8, 2022. The process of incorporating the gun into the army was followed. Dhanush Gun delay production
Indigenous Power Pack also added
An important change in the bow project took over the power pack. At the beginning this power pack was imported from the Foreign Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers.
Later it was replaced with Indigenous Power Pack. The new power-packed bow guns are given to the Army Units as per the report. This reduces the dependence on imports and increases the share of indigenous content. Dhanush Gun delay production
What was the major cause of delay in production?
Several reasons have been shown in the Pac report. The biggest problem was that India hadn’t had the first experience of creating this level of artillery gun.
Indigenous 155mm barrel design during the project, new mascara brakes, ballistics expertise, gun electronics, navigation systems, and advanced sightseeing systems came out with ballistic computers like integrations.
Also, important parts such as auto-lewing technology, micro-alloy steel, casting, forging and electronic relay were also challenged to make indigenous. Dhanush Gun delay production
Infrastructure and Supply Chains also became the challenge
The ministry told the committee that the production infrastructure available at the time of starting a large project like a bow was not enough as per its need. The infrastructure was gradually strengthened.
Also in the beginning there were no such supply chains that could prepare this level of complex artillery component. Several new suppliers and technical capabilities developed during bow project. Dhanush Gun delay production
Created for Project Monitoring Technical Oversite Group
Old to monitor bow project OFB Regular monitoring was carried out at the level. In addition, the Artillery Directorate of the Indian Army created the Technical Oversite Group i.e. TOG.
This group consisted of different parties connected to the project. It was aimed at reviewing technical issues and advancing project progress.
Despite the PAC found that the project was behind several timeframes. The Committee has described the need for much active monitoring on production, supply chain and technical problems. Dhanush Gun delay production
Delayed impact on Army Artillery Preparation
The Ministry of Defence himself told Pac that the delay in the production of bows was influenced by the Operational Preparedness of the Indian Army, especially on Artillery.
The Army took several other measures to reduce the difference of this capacity. These included upgrading 130mm guns to 155mm/45 caliber sarang and sultem guns, including U.S. M-777A2 155mm/39 caliber guns, indigenous development of 155mm/52 caliber ATAGS and inclusion of K-9 vazra-t guns. Life extensions of old guns were also done. Dhanush Gun delay production
New time-frame of production March 2027
The target of production and delivery was placed within 36 months after the indent given in March 2013 as per the basic plan.
After the corporateization of the OFB, the decomited contract was carried out on 28 September 2021, which was modified on 10 October 2023. As per the existing scheme, AIWEIL has set a goal to complete the delivery of all ordered bow guns by March 2027. Dhanush Gun delay production
What did PAC say on delay?
Pac said in its report that the delay in the bow case was not just a production problem. The committee described the preparation of domestic technical capacity, infrastructure, skill and supply chains need to be adequately examined before the project began.
The Committee also said that it is necessary to identify the need for technical expertise and trained HR for difficult indigenous projects of the Defence Sector. The report has been recommended to introduce specialized Skill Development Courses through technical institutions such as IITs and regularly upskill employees of companies from Defence PSU Sector.
23-liter chamber barrel of 155MM in the process of bow project, indigenous ballistics, gun electronics, navigation, advanced sightseeing, auto-lewing, micro-alloy steel and many important sub-system devloped. These capabilities in the PAC report have been reported as the key technical learning from this project. Dhanush Gun delay production
















