The Indian Army has formally rejected a large batch of upgraded Sharang 155mm/45-calibre artillery guns manufactured by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), citing serious quality-related deficiencies.

Out of the contracted 300 guns, only 159 units were delivered to the Army before complaints surfaced regarding inconsistent metallurgy, barrel performance issues, sub-standard machining, and failure to meet accuracy and safety benchmarks during trials. The remaining 141 guns scheduled for delivery have been placed on indefinite hold after a detailed technical audit confirmed the shortcomings.

The Sharang upgrade program, launched in 2018, was intended to extend the life and lethality of legacy 130mm M-46 Soviet-era guns, converting them to the standard 155mm/45-calibre system with improved range up to 39 km and compatibility with indigenous ammunition.

This effort was a key part of India’s artillery rationalisation plan aimed at easing logistical burdens and achieving standardisation. However, the rejection of AWEIL’s batch casts doubt on the company’s quality controls and raises broader concerns over the reliability of public-sector defence modernisation projects.

For the Army, the setback delays the induction of modernised medium artillery in critical formations and adds pressure on parallel projects such as the induction of Dhanush 155mm/45-calibre howitzers and the private sector’s ATAGS 155mm/52-calibre system.

Strategically, these delays stall the Army’s plan of achieving a diversified yet standardised inventory by 2030, while operationally it creates gaps in preparedness along sensitive borders.

The Ministry of Defence is expected to initiate a detailed review of AWEIL’s production line, with the possibility of penalties, contract renegotiation, or even blacklisting depending on findings.

The Army, meanwhile, is likely to redirect focus towards accelerated ATAGS induction and additional Dhanush orders to offset the capability gap, while exploring stopgap measures to ensure that frontline artillery regiments are not left under-equipped in the medium term.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)