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Artillery epitomises firepower. It’s one of the most decisive weapons of war that plays a pivotal role irrespective of the type of operation an army fights. The School of Artillery, located in Deolali, is among the best professional institutions of the Indian Army. Here, primarily, artillery officers, JCOs and men are trained in Gunnery and employment of Artillery to degrade and destroy the enemy.
The Comdt, School of Artillery, Lt Gen NS Sarna and his team of officers briefed the BharatShakti team consisting of Brig SK Chatterji (Retd), Pavan and Aditya on the school’s functioning as a tour of the institution was undertaken.
One of the first places visited was Havildar Umrao Singh’s statue that stands tall at the crossroads. He is the only Victoria Cross the Indian Artillery has.
The emphasis in the school is on modernising its training to keep pace with a technology infused battlefield. The basics are not forgotten though, and irrespective of rank, all courses undergo gun drill training. With mediumisation of artillery progressing at a fair pace, training on 155mm guns is being emphasised more. Training on modern survey and surveillance equipment is also being undertaken.
Training on drones is integral to all courses and an attempt is being made to provide a basic degree of proficiency to all students.
The nearest firing ranges are the Deolali field firing ranges. The school conducts an annual field firing demonstration, Ex Topchi, at these ranges. The BharatShakti team was lucky to witness the entire fire power demonstration.
The School has facilities for a large variety of sports and games. The students, instructional staff, families and their families also participate in the various competitions the School runs. The Temple Hill Institute is the famed old club, and provides multiple facilities, including sports and games.
The officer was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery after graduating from the Indian Military Academy.
A graduate of the Defence Services Staff College and the Army War College, he commanded a medium artillery regiment in a high-altitude sector and later an artillery brigade in the desert.
He retired as Deputy Director General (Strategic Communication) at Army Headquarters.
A prolific defence commentator, he is the author of Vintage Guns of India' and has co-authored and edited several other books.
His articles on defence and strategic affairs have appeared in leading newspapers and military journals in India and overseas.
Following his retirement from the Army, he served at the apex level of an Indian multinational before becoming the founding editor of BharatShakti, a role he held for over a decade.
