The Indian Army is preparing a proposal to procure an additional 300 units of the domestically produced Dhanush 155 mm towed howitzer, a move aimed at strengthening its long-range artillery capabilities and expanding the number of operational artillery regiments. According to reports, the plan represents the second major acquisition of the indigenous artillery platform. The army had previously ordered 114 Dhanush guns under the first procurement contract, and several of these systems are already deployed with frontline artillery units. If the new proposal receives approval, the additional 300 guns would significantly expand the artillery inventory and support the establishment of multiple new regiments while reinforcing existing formations. In the Indian Army’s structure, a typical artillery regiment consists of 18 guns, meaning that the proposed purchase could enable the creation of approximately 15 new regimental units. The Dhanush system is a 155 mm, 45-caliber towed artillery gun designed for long-range indirect fire missions. Developed and produced in India by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, the system represents an upgraded version of the Bofors FH-77B howitzer that entered Indian service in the 1980s. The Dhanush program was developed using technology originally transferred from the Swedish Bofors platform, followed by a series of engineering improvements introduced during the modernization process. Compared with the earlier FH-77B system, the Dhanush incorporates multiple upgrades including strengthened barrel materials, improved structural components, and refinements to the recoil mechanism. It also integrates modern digital fire-control and targeting systems that enhance accuracy and improve gun-laying procedures during combat operations. According to defense sources, the howitzer is capable of striking targets at distances of up to around 38 kilometers depending on the ammunition and propellant configuration used. This extended range surpasses the earlier 39-caliber Bofors guns, which typically had an effective firing range of roughly 27 kilometers. The system is designed to operate across diverse environments, including mountainous and high-altitude terrain where Indian artillery units frequently conduct operations.
