New Delhi: In a significant step towards bolstering indigenously designed and developed defence systems, the Indian Army has issued a tender for the procurement of 400 howitzers from domestic firms. The move, announced on Friday, 16 August 2024, is part of a larger strategy to enhance the capabilities of the Army’s artillery regiment with homegrown 155 mm/52 calibre towed gun systems.
The tender, aimed exclusively at Indian firms under the ‘Indian-IDDM’ category (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured), seeks a lightweight and versatile gun system that can adapt to future technological needs. Among the firms invited to participate are India Forge, Larsen & Toubro, Adani, and the Ordnance Factory Board, reflecting the government’s continued focus on promoting self-reliance in the defence sector.
A senior military official, speaking to news agency ANI, highlighted the strategic importance of the procurement, noting that these towed gun systems will be crucial for deployment in challenging terrains, including high-altitude areas such as those along the borders with China and Pakistan. The Army’s preference for lighter artillery systems is driven by the need to improve mobility and rapid deployment, particularly in mountainous regions where older Bofors guns have been extensively used.
This tender comes alongside the Army’s ongoing procurement of 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS), which are also being sourced from Indian firms to meet the needs of the country’s border defences. The shift towards fully indigenous gun systems aligns with the Army’s mediumisation plan, aiming for a robust and self-sufficient artillery force by 2042.
Over the past decade, the Indian Army has secured four contracts for 155 mm howitzers, which have since been inducted into its ranks. The latest procurement drive is set to further equip artillery regiments with advanced gun systems, reinforcing the nation’s defence capabilities with domestically produced solutions.
The focus on indigenisation and modernisation underlines India’s commitment to reducing dependency on foreign arms while simultaneously strengthening its defence posture in key strategic regions.
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