Artillery

The SA-8 was the first mobile air defense missile system incorporating its own engagement radars on a single vehicle. All versions of the 9K33 feature all-in-one 9A33 transporter erector launcher and radar (TELAR) vehicles which can detect, track and engage aircraft independently or with the aid of regimental surveillance radars. The six-wheeled transport vehicles BAZ-5937 are fully amphibious and air transportable. The road range is about 500 km. The 1S51M3-2 radar system on the SA-8 TELAR received the NATO codename Land Roll. It was derived from the naval `Pop Group ' radar system but is smaller since it does not require the elaborate stabilisation system. An improved system designated the SA-8B `Gecko' Mod 1, was first seen in Germany in 1980. It had improvements added to the launcher configuration, carrying six missiles in ribbed containers. The system is reported to be of the frequency-agile monopulse type. It consists of an elliptical rotating surveillance antenna ...

The SPYDER  is an Israeli short and medium range mobile air defence system. India has recently purchased Israel’s SPYDER air defense system following a recent trend of using advanced air-air missiles designed for targeting enemies fighter jets as ground-launched surface-to-air missiles (SAM). This truck-mounted system mixes radar and optical tracking with any combination of short to medium-range Derby 4 external link and ultra-agile short-range 5th generation Python 5 external link air to air missiles, in order to create a versatile system adapted for a wider range of threats. Spyder is a static low level, quick reaction missile (LLQRM) to neutralize hostile targets up to 15 km away, and at heights between 20 to 9000 meters. The Indian Air Force will also acquire the indigenous Akash Surface to Air Missile which has a little longer effective range of 25 km as part of a layered approach to defend its assets.   Both the Spyder and Akash are all weather missiles, 24 x...

  The BM-21 Grad is a Soviet truck-mounted 122-mm multiple rocket launcher , developed in the early 1960s. The development of the 122 mm BM-21 Grad divisional-level RSZO took place in the mid-1950s under the guidance of the Splav Scientific Production Concern at Tula. The BM-21 122 mm multiple rocket launcher ( MRL ) system entered service with the Soviet Army in 1963 to replace the aging 140 mm BM-14 system. The main role of the BM-21 Grad system is to support the division with suppressive fire to counter anti-tank missile , artillery and mortar positions, destroy strong points and eliminate enemy nodes of resistance on the immediate battlefield . BM-21 GRAD Variants: - BM-21 "Grad" : Original 40-round launcher, mounted on a Ural-375D truck. - BM-21-1 : Some systems use the Ural-43201 5t truck chassis with KamAZ-740 diesel engine of 210 hp.  2B17 or also BM-21-1 : This upgrade was presented for the first time in 2003 and was developed by Motovilikha Plants from Perm. T...

The BM-30 Smerch , 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a Soviet heavy multiple rocket launcher . The system is intended to defeat personnel, armored , and soft targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was designed in the early 1980s and entered service in the Soviet Army in 1989. When first observed by the West in 1983, it received the code MRL 280mm M1983. It continued in use by Russia, a program to replace it by the 9A52-4 Tornado was launched in 2018 The first confirmed combat uses of the Smerch were in two war zones in 2014. Syrian military forces used the system against rebel forces during the Syrian civil war, including in fighting in Jobar. It was also used by Russia-backed militants to deliver explosive and cluster munitions to Ukrainian military positions and by the Ukrainian Army against populated areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the War in Donbass. Several have been seen in use by pro-Russian rebels. The Russian...

The K9 Thunder is a South Korean self-propelled 155 mm howitzer designed and developed by the Agency for Defense Development and Samsung Aerospace Industries for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces , and is now manufactured by Hanwha Defense . K9 howitzers operate in groups with the K10 automatic ammunition resupply vehicle variant. The entire K9 fleet operated by the ROK Armed Forces is now undergoing upgrades to K9A1 standard, and a further development of a K9A2 variant is in process. The K9 Thunder saw its first combat during the bombardment of Yeonpyeong on 23 November 2010. Six ROKMC howitzers engaged against the surprise attack from the North Korean artillery . Prior to the battle, the howitzers returned from a scheduled firing exercise, using most of the shells stored within the howitzer. In addition, one howitzer experienced a problem during the exercise when a shell became stuck in the barrel, disabling it. Two units received slight damage to their firing control systems d...

The 122-mm howitzer D-30 (GRAU index 2A18) is a Soviet howitzer that first entered service in 1960. It is a robust piece that focuses on the essential features of a towed field gun suitable for all conditions. The D-30 has a maximum range of 15.4 kilometers, or over 21 km using RAP ammunition. With its striking three-leg mounting, the D-30 can be rapidly traversed through 360 degrees. Although no longer manufactured in the nations of the former Soviet Union, the D-30 is still manufactured internationally and is in service in more than 60 countries' armed forces . The barrel assembly of the 2A18 gun is used by the 2S1 self-propelled howitzer. There are also Egyptian, Chinese, Serbian and Syrian self-propelled variants and conversions. The Syrian conversion utilizes the hull of a T-34 tank. The 122 mm (originally 48 lines) calibre was adopted by Russia in the early 20th century, becoming very important to Soviet artillery during the Second World War. Development of the D-30 began...

The Ordnance Factory Board ( OFB ) has handed over Sharang , the first 130mm M-46 artillery gun upgraded to 155mm to the Indian Army . About Sharang Sharang is the 130mm artillery gun ‘up-gunned’ to 155mm, 45 calibre up-gunning based on the Army ’s tender. The gun’s range has now gone from 27km to over 36km with the upgrade. It also has more explosive capability and hence and more damage potential . This step will reduce the logistic trail of the Army as it does away with the need to carry 130mm shells and support equipment as the mainstay of the Army ’s long range artillery is 155mm guns. Other artilleries of Indian Army After close to three decades, the Army inducted its first modern artillery guns system in November 2018. These include M-777 Ultra Light Howitzers ( ULH ) from the U.S. and K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery guns from South Korea. The Army has the older, battle-proven Bofors 155mm guns in service. The 155mm Dhanush towed gun system, developed based on the B...

Haubits 77 (Swedish "Field Howitzer 77") or FH77 is a Swedish 155 mm howitzer. It was developed and manufactured by Bofors . It was available in two versions, the original (sometimes referred to as Haubits 77 A) with a sliding block mechanism, and the later FH77 B export version with an interrupted screw breech. India is currently developing an upgraded (155mm/45 calibre) version of the FH-77 called FH-77 B02. Design and Development In the 1960s Sweden started to look for a replacement for the French Haubits F (Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50). The American M109 howitzer was offered and tested. Though the price was low the Swedish Arms Administration found the high maintenance costs, the low rate of fire and the not so good mobility of the M109 made it worth the effort to develop a domestic howitzer. The FH77 was the first field howitzer featuring an APU to make it self-propelled for tactical movement. The rate of fire was, at the time, exceptionally high for a 155 mm howitz...

The M777 howitzer is a towed 155 mm artillery piece. It succeeded the M198 howitzer in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army in 2005. The M777 is also used by the ground forces of Australia, Canada, India and Saudi Arabia. It made its combat debut in the War in Afghanistan. The M777 is manufactured by BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems division. Prime contract management is based in Barrow-in-Furness in the United Kingdom as well as manufacture and assembly of the titanium structures and associated recoil components. Final integration and testing of the weapon is undertaken at BAE's facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The M777 began as the Ultralight Field Howitzer (UFH), developed by Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering's (VSEL) Armaments Division in Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom. VSEL was bought by BAE Systems after the UFH prototypes had been manufactured and demonstrated, consequently BAE became responsible for future design refinements and re-...

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is a towed 155 mm/52 calibre howitzer that is being developed for the Indian Army by Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ) and manufactured by Bharat Forge. ATAGS has greater than 95% indigenous content. During user trials in September 2020 the gun suffered a barrel burst injuring four personnel. The malfunction is expected to setback the program with DRDO going back to the drawing board. The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System ( ATAGS ) project was started in 2013 by DRDO to replace older guns in service in the Indian Army with a modern 155mm artillery gun. DRDO laboratory Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) partnered with private players Bharat Forge Limited, Mahindra Defence Naval System, Tata Power Strategic Engineering Division and public sector unit Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for this purpose. The development of the gun took about 4 years and is expected to be complete by March 2017....