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To boost its long-range firepower, the Indian Army has begun raising a third regiment of the indigenously built Dhanush towed artillery guns. Sources in the defence and security establishment confirmed that the second regiment has already been established, and deliveries for the third have commenced. Each regiment consists of 18 howitzers, and the move marks steady progress in modernizing the Army’s artillery arm with home-grown systems.
Who has developed this gun?
Developed by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), the 155mm/45 calibre Dhanush is India’s first long-range towed artillery gun to be produced domestically. It features an extended range, automated targeting, and all-weather, all-terrain capability — a significant upgrade over the Bofors systems it traces its lineage to.
The original contract for 114 guns, valued at Rs 1,260 crore, was signed in 2019. However, meeting the March 2026 delivery deadline now appears uncertain, mainly due to global supply chain disruptions triggered by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Despite production delays, sources stressed that Dhanush is a “battle-proven and terrain-agnostic platform” capable of operating effectively in both high-altitude and desert sectors.
Its strike range of nearly 38 km, onboard computing systems, GPS-based navigation, and compatibility with NATO-standard ammunition make it a formidable asset.
Weighing roughly 14 tonnes and with over 80% indigenous components, Dhanush symbolizes a key milestone in India’s push for defence self-reliance.
Army officials remain confident that the system’s growing presence in artillery formations will enhance firepower flexibility and precision strike capabilities in the years ahead.
Team BharatShakti
