India's artillery evolution marks new era of indigenous firepower

Indian Army's recent induction of the domestically manufactured Dhanush artillery gun highlights a paradigmatic shift from the Bofors scandal years to a new era of indigenisation, rewriting India's mastery on the battlefield in high-altitude and border warfare.

- SIMONTINI BHATTACHARJEE

KARGIL, LADAKH:

Beginning with the Bofors FH77B howitzer, purchased in the 1980s, transformed India's artillery capabilities with its 39-calibre barrel and 27 km reach. Its key contribution during the 1999 Kargil War—providing precision firepower in hostile mountainous terrain—solidified its image as a game-changer. Nonetheless, the spectre of corruption charges over the deal scuttled artillery modernisation for decades, laying bare India's defence imports vulnerabilities.