India Expands Self-Propelled Gun Arsenal Amidst Ukraine Conflict
India is planning to bolster its arsenal with an additional 400 self-propelled long-range artillery guns, which would constitute about a sixth of its artillery inventory. This decision follows a study that demonstrated the effectiveness of such artillery in shaping the outcome of conflicts, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine. The study highlighted the advantage of mobility, as static positions are more vulnerable to enemy counterstrikes.
Most of India’s existing 100 self-propelled guns are stationed along the disputed border with China, which spans 3,488 kilometers. This move comes after years of tense patrolling by soldiers from both countries along this border.
India is currently modernizing its artillery units, incorporating US-made light field guns that can be transported by helicopters. The study emphasizes the need to reduce the time required to locate and engage a target from several minutes to just around a minute.
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Furthermore, support units responsible for target acquisition are being restructured and equipped with remotely piloted aircraft, loiter ammunitions, and swarm drones. India is also enhancing its long-range rocket and missile capabilities to strengthen its reach, firepower, and reaction capacity along its northern border. General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Indian Army, revealed these developments without specifying the exact number of reinforcements.
