Local Purchase Mandated But OEM JV a Possibility
The Indian Army aims to enhance its firepower in high-altitude areas with 105mm/37-calibre vehicle-mounted guns, according to a 29 April request for information (RFI), which states the service seeks a “shoot and scoot capability” for field artillery regiments operating in mountainous and high-altitude areas along the country’s northern borders.
The proposed systems should be capable of both direct and indirect fire missions by day or night, feature an INS-based sight system for orientation, and be compatible with ‘Project Shakti’: a computerised combat C2 system used by the army to integrate artillery operations. The weapons should also have a built-in test facility to identify faults and support repairs, be capable of operating on existing roads and tracks in mountainous areas, and of firing all in-service ammunition at the time of trials.
The service intends to procure the systems from Indian vendors, though the RFI does admit the possibility of a local vendor forming a JV with an OEM.
The Army fields several towed howitzer systems, such as the 105mm Indian Field Gun. By acquiring advanced, vehicle-mounted guns, the service aims to not only modernise its artillery units but also to enhance their accuracy, speed, and survivability.
