SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army has initiated the formation of its third regiment of the indigenously developed Dhanush towed gun system, marking a significant step in enhancing its artillery firepower capabilities. According to sources in the defence establishment, as reported by idrw.org, the Army has successfully raised its second regiment of Dhanush guns and has already received several systems for the third unit.
Each regiment consists of 18 gun systems, bringing the total number of Dhanush guns across the three regiments to 54 once the third unit is fully operational. This development underscores India’s commitment to modernizing its artillery and achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
The Dhanush, a 155mm/45-calibre towed artillery gun, is a product of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), and represents an upgraded derivative of the Swedish Bofors FH-77B howitzer. Designed to meet the Indian Army’s need for long-range, precision artillery, the Dhanush boasts a range of 38km with extended-range ammunition, advanced fire control systems, and a high rate of fire (up to five rounds per minute in burst mode). Its electronic sighting and ballistic computation systems enable rapid targeting, while its mobility across diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions like Ladakh, makes it a versatile asset for the Army.
The Dhanush program emerged from the transfer of technology (ToT) acquired during the controversial Bofors deal in the 1980s, with significant upgrades by DRDO and private industry partners. The gun’s indigenous content exceeds 70%, incorporating modernized components like a reinforced barrel, enhanced recoil system, and an auxiliary power mode for self-propelled movement up to 7km/h. Priced at approximately ?14 crore per unit, the Dhanush offers a cost-effective alternative to imported systems like the French CAESAR or Israeli ATMOS, aligning with India’s push for domestic production.
The Indian Army’s decision to raise a third Dhanush regiment follows the successful operational integration of the first two regiments, which were inducted between 2019 and 2024. The first regiment, deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC), proved its mettle during the 2020 India-China standoff in eastern Ladakh, providing precise fire support at high altitudes. The second regiment, recently completed, has bolstered the Army’s firepower in sensitive border regions, particularly against Pakistan and China.
Sources told idrw.org, “We have completed the process of raising the second regiment of Dhanush gun systems and also received a few systems for the third unit.” The third regiment, currently in the process of being raised, is expected to be fully operational by 2026, with AWEIL delivering the remaining guns to complete the 18-unit configuration. The Army has ordered 114 Dhanush guns, with 36 already delivered and the rest under production at AWEIL’s Gun Carriage Factory in Jabalpur. Plans for additional orders, potentially up to 300 units, are under consideration to equip nine regiments, aligning with the Army’s Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan (FARP) to standardize 155mm systems by 2040.
Despite its success, the Dhanush program has faced challenges, including production delays and initial quality concerns. Early trials in 2017 revealed issues with barrel bursts, which were addressed through design refinements. AWEIL’s production capacity, currently at 18–24 guns per year, must scale up to meet the Army’s ambitious FARP targets, which envision 1,800 towed guns by 2040.
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