Delays in the Indian Army's acquisition of electronically upgraded Dhanush artillery guns have raised concerns from a parliamentary committee about the impact on operational preparedness, prompting calls for a more proactive defence ministry and streamlined procurement processes amidst geopolitical considerations.

Delays in the Indian Army's acquisition of electronically upgraded Dhanush artillery guns have raised concerns from a parliamentary committee about the impact on operational preparedness, prompting calls for a more proactive defence ministry and streamlined procurement processes amidst geopolitical considerations.

Delays in the Indian Army's acquisition of electronically upgraded Dhanush artillery guns have raised concerns from a parliamentary committee about the impact on operational preparedness, prompting calls for a more proactive defence ministry and streamlined procurement processes amidst geopolitical considerations.

The Indian Army’s wait for electronically upgraded Dhanush artillery guns has come under scrutiny from a parliamentary committee, which has expressed concern that delays in the programme have affected the force’s operational preparedness, particularly its artillery units.

In a report presented in Parliament on Thursday, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, called on the defence ministry to be more proactive in ensuring that the armed forces have access to critical weapons and technologies, reports news agency PTI.

The committee said that in the “present geopolitical scenario, the ministry must be proactive to assess the stockpiles and efficacy of such critical guns to ensure that the armed forces are not deprived of credible equipment and technology”.

It also recommended “concrete steps towards structural transformation of the decision-making process” so that matters concerning national security are not affected by “unrealistic delays”.

What caused the delays?

The PAC report, titled ‘Delay in Production of Electronically Upgraded 155mm/45 Calibre Gun System Dhanush’, traces the problems surrounding the programme to its development and trials.

The Dhanush development programme was undertaken by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) in 2011. However, according to the observations of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) cited by the committee, the electronically upgraded 155mm/45 calibre gun system had not completely cleared user trials.

The delay in clearing these trials also held up the finalisation of the gun’s configuration. Consequently, bulk production clearance for the guns, for which an indent had been placed on OFB in March 2013, could not be accorded by the Army.

This, according to the report, further prolonged the Army’s wait for modern artillery guns.

The programme had also encountered problems during its development. During validation firing of the electronically upgraded gun in May 2012, the “barrel and muzzle brake of gun was damaged”.

Following system validation checks of the 45-calibre barrel and electronic subsystem, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted a fresh Acceptance of Necessity in September 2012 for another specified number of 45-calibre guns, subject to successful completion of user trials. An indent was subsequently placed on OFB in March 2013.

Why Dhanush was developed

The Army has 155mm/39 calibre towed guns procured under a contract signed with Swedish manufacturer AB Bofors in 1986. The agreement also provided for transfer of technology for the upkeep and overhaul of the guns.

According to the audit, OFB had been manufacturing certain assemblies and sub-assemblies after obtaining the technology between 1986 and 1989.

However, with no new artillery guns being inducted and the shortage of 39-calibre guns becoming sizeable by 2009, OFB stated that it was capable of manufacturing guns based on the technology transferred in 1986.

The DAC subsequently approved procurement of 155mm 39/45 calibre guns from OFB under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category in October 2011, with electronic and mechanical upgrades to 45 calibre. This led to the launch of Project Dhanush.

Delay affected Army's operational preparedness

The defence ministry told the PAC that Dhanush is a project of national importance involving several government agencies and Indian companies. It described the weapon as involving “intricate and critical technologies” and said the project was being continuously monitored.

The ministry also said OFB and other stakeholders had worked together to develop a “world-class and contemporary weapon system”. Dhanush, it said, was the first such gun developed in India and had paved the way for other projects.

The ministry further told the committee that the Dhanush programme had helped sustain the Army's original Bofors guns because of the commonality and indigenisation of almost all their parts.

However, the PAC highlighted the ministry's admission that delays in production had affected the operational preparedness of the Army, particularly the Artillery Division.

The committee said the Army could not be expected to operate obsolete artillery for such a long period, particularly considering the current geopolitical situation.

It recommended regular identification of capability gaps based on emerging threats and timely acquisition of critical equipment and technology. The PAC also asked the ministry to strengthen supply-chain management and formulate guidelines or standard operating procedures to ensure suppliers meet the armed forces' operational requirements and adhere to contractual timelines.

—With PTI inputs

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