The Indian Army has made notable strides in modernising its artillery, with systems such as the Dhanush and the K-9 Vajra strengthening its firepower, The Week observed.

Despite these acquisitions, experts argue that significant gaps remain in the Army’s ability to deliver sustained, precise, and long-range artillery support. The Army’s ambition to expand its regiments from 226 to 270 underscores the scale of the challenge, but procurement delays and limited numbers of self-propelled guns continue to constrain operational readiness.

Colonel Ajai Shukla (Retd) has highlighted that while India fields multi-barrel rocket launchers, BrahMos cruise missiles, and advanced surveillance systems, the artillery arm still suffers from a shortfall in modern guns.

The induction of 100 K-9 Vajra units, though valuable, falls short of the requirement for mechanised strike corps, each of which needs four regiments of medium self-propelled artillery. This gap has prompted consideration of acquiring an additional 100–200 mobile self-propelled howitzers, alongside ongoing indigenous development efforts by DRDO and private industry.

To bridge these gaps, four key measures have been suggested. First, increasing the chamber size of artillery guns would allow for larger propellant charges, thereby extending the range of projectiles.

This technical adjustment could significantly enhance the reach of Indian artillery without altering barrel length. Second, improving precision is vital; more accurate guns reduce the number of rounds needed to neutralise targets, conserving ammunition and increasing battlefield efficiency.

Third, adding ramjet propulsion to shells could extend their range dramatically, and DRDO’s ongoing research in this area offers promising prospects. Finally, adopting advanced propellants such as bi-modular charge systems would boost lethality, with higher charge levels already being tested in advanced systems like the ATAGS.

These measures, taken together, would not only close the firepower gap but also transform Indian artillery into a networked, high-precision strike force capable of meeting modern battlefield demands. The challenge lies in accelerating procurement, fostering indigenous innovation, and ensuring that technological advances translate into operational capability at scale.

The Week