SOURCE: AFI
Lt Gen Adosh Kumar, Director General of Artillery, has emphasized the Indian Army’s desire to procure a diverse range of 155mm guns and ammunition to ensure sustained combat readiness. The Army aims to achieve indigenous production of various types of 155mm ammunition to support its artillery systems.
India’s 155mm shell-making capacity is poised for a significant expansion, with the private sector alone expected to produce over 3 lakh shells annually by the financial year 2027. However, this output falls short of the Army’s requirements in the event of a full-scale war.
In such a scenario, the Army would need approximately 1.5 lakh 155mm shells per month, which equates to half of the current projected production capacity. If the war were to extend for a year or more, the demand would surge to over 15 lakh shells per year, four times the current annual production capacity.
To meet these substantial requirements, the Indian Army is actively exploring ways to further enhance domestic production capabilities and secure additional supplies from international sources. The expansion of the 155mm ammunition production base is a critical step towards ensuring the Army’s self-sufficiency and ability to sustain prolonged combat operations.