Since the Kargil conflict, India has pursued a sustained modernisation of its artillery under the Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan, standardising on 155mm/52-calibre guns and adding long-range rocket firepower. The result is a mix of towed, self-propelled and rocket systems, increasingly of indigenous origin.

Towed howitzers

  • Dhanush: an indigenous 155mm/45-calibre gun derived from the Bofors design.
  • ATAGS: the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System, a fully indigenous 155mm/52-calibre howitzer.
  • M777: the ultralight howitzer for rapid air-mobile deployment in the mountains, alongside upgraded Bofors and Sharang guns.

Self-propelled and rocket artillery

  • K9 Vajra-T: a 155mm tracked self-propelled howitzer built in India for mechanised formations.
  • Pinaka: the indigenous multi-barrel rocket launcher, fielded in Mk1, Mk2 and extended-range versions, complemented by the longer-range Smerch.

Toward indigenous firepower

With ATAGS, Pinaka and Dhanush entering service in growing numbers, Indian artillery is shifting decisively toward home-grown systems — improving range, mobility and the ability to sustain high volumes of precision fire.