The Indian Army is planning a new procurement program for 300 Dhanush 155 mm howitzer to expand its long-range artillery capability and equip additional artillery regiments, according to Defence.in.
If cleared, the purchase would mark the second major order for the Dhanush artillery system. Under the first contract, the Army procured 114 guns, several of which are already deployed with operational artillery formations.
Adding 300 more units would allow the Army to establish multiple new regiments while also strengthening existing artillery units. A standard Indian artillery regiment operates 18 guns, meaning the proposed acquisition could support the formation of about 15 new regiments.
The Dhanush is a 155 mm, 45-caliber towed artillery system developed for long-range indirect fire missions. It is designed to operate in diverse terrain conditions, including mountainous and high-altitude environments where Indian artillery units are frequently deployed.
The howitzer is manufactured domestically by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited and represents an upgraded version of the Bofors FH‑77B howitzer introduced into Indian service during the 1980s. Its development was based on technology transferred from the original Swedish platform and later enhanced through additional engineering improvements.
Compared with the earlier Bofors model, the Dhanush features reinforced materials for the barrel and structural elements, an improved recoil system, and digital fire-control and targeting systems that enhance accuracy and gun-laying operations.
According to Defence.in, the artillery system can engage targets at ranges of up to approximately 38 kilometers (23.6 miles), depending on ammunition type and propellant configuration. This represents a significant increase over the older 39-caliber Bofors guns, which typically had an effective range of around 27 kilometers (16.8 miles).
