Indian Army flexes indigenous muscle at Maharashtra’s Devlali

Nashik, Jan 30: Indian Army on Sunday (Jan 29) flexed its indigenously manufactured firepower at the sprawling field firing range in Maharashtra’s Devlali, with a raft of indigenous artillery guns, rocket systems and ammunition. The display included weapons that are deployed along the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC) amidst the ongoing military face off.

 

 

 

 

According to the reports, the blockbuster demonstration of the army’s capabilities, code-named ‘Exercise Topchi-2023’, by the elite School of Artillery featured several big guns, including the latest 155mm/45-calibre Dhanush towed artillery gun, 155mm/52-calibre tracked self-propelled K9 Vajra-T guns, the M777 ultra-light howitzers, upgraded Sharang guns, the 105mm/37-caliber Indian field guns and the light field gun, and the Pinaka rocket systems (155mm denotes the diameter of the shell and calibre relates to barrel length).

 

 

The focus of the exercise was to showcase the indigenous capabilities and strides made in achieving self-reliance in the defence sector, said Lieutenant General S Harimohan Iyer, commandant of the Devlali-based School of Artillery. “Atmanirbharta in defence is scaling new heights. The army is ready for any challenge,” he said. The two-hour display also included the 155 mm FH 77 BO2 guns (better known as Bofors), the 155mm Soltam guns, the 130mm M46 guns, the Russian-origin Grad BM 21 multi-barrel rocket system, unmanned aerial vehicles, weapon locating radars, mortars, helicopters and several surveillance systems.

 

 

The drills came at a time when the army is pursuing a major firepower upgrade, and is set to induct more artillery guns, longer range rockets and loitering munition to bolster its capabilities along the China border. The artillery capability upgrade will involve induction of more K9 Vajra-T guns, additional Dhanush guns and the new 155mm/52-calibre advanced towed artillery gun system (ATAGS), Iyer said. Artillery regiments are also preparing to induct longer range Pinaka rocket systems, precision ammunition, loitering munition, unmanned aerial vehicles, and reconnaissance and observation systems to scale up their capabilities to meet battlefield challenges.

 

 

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