What is Dhanush artillery gun? Indigenous 155mm howitzer whose delay has drawn PAC’s criticism

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticised the Ministry of Defence over delays in procuring and inducting the Dhanush artillery gun, highlighting a nearly two-decade gap between the Army’s requirement for modern artillery systems and the deployment of upgraded platforms, as reported by TOI.

The committee’s report, tabled in Parliament, said the delay resulted in formations continuing to rely on ageing Bofors guns inducted in the 1980s, creating a significant capability gap.

PAC highlights delay in replacing ageing Bofors guns

The Indian Army inducted 155mm Bofors guns in 1986 under a transfer of technology agreement with Sweden’s AB Bofors. However, the original equipment manufacturer was banned in 1989 following the Bofors scandal.


According to the PAC report, the uncertainty following the ban created a capability vacuum, forcing the Army to operate older artillery systems for decades.

In 2013, the Ordnance Factory Board was assigned the task of developing electronically upgraded prototypes of the Bofors gun. However, the order was placed three years after the Ministry of Defence approved bulk procurement, and the Dhanush was eventually inducted in 2022.

Capabilities of Dhanush artillery gun system

The Dhanush artillery gun is manufactured by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India (AWEIL), Jabalpur, which was earlier part of the Ordnance Factory Board before its restructuring and corporatisation.

The indigenous 155mm, 45-calibre howitzer is an upgraded version of the Bofors artillery gun and uses standard 155mm NATO ammunition. It can also accommodate bi-modular charge systems (BMCS), allowing enhanced firing range.

The gun can engage targets at distances of up to 38 km, with specialised shells and charges extending the range up to 48 km.

Designed for diverse operational environments, Dhanush can engage positions above 4,000 metres in high-altitude regions and operate in extreme cold conditions of up to minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Digital upgrades improve accuracy and deployment

The artillery system is equipped with an inertial navigation system (INS) integrated with GPS-based positioning, enabling faster auto-laying and target alignment.

It features an onboard computerised ballistic calculation system and muzzle velocity recording capability to improve firing accuracy.

The gun also has an advanced day and night direct-firing system equipped with thermal imaging, laser rangefinders and automated cameras for improved target identification and engagement.

Dhanush designed for difficult terrains

The Dhanush weighs less than 13 tonnes, allowing easier transportation across challenging landscapes.

The gun is equipped with self-propulsion assist units that help it move through rugged mountain areas and deep desert terrain, improving operational flexibility during deployment.

Army plans order for 300 Dhanush howitzers

To strengthen its artillery capability, the Indian Army is preparing to place an order for 300 additional Dhanush howitzers, which will be used to raise 15 regiments of the indigenous artillery system.

A high-level Defence Ministry meeting is expected to clear the proposal soon, according to defence officials.

The upcoming order will be the second major procurement of Dhanush guns, which are manufactured by public sector companies using technology transferred from the Bofors guns acquired in the 1980s.

The Army has already inducted 114 Dhanush guns, with around four regiments operational and two more expected to be inducted soon.

PAC points to defence acquisition gaps

The committee observed that it took the Ministry of Defence almost 20 years to complete the procurement and induction process for the new artillery platform, leading to what it described as a "huge deficiency in stock".

The report also identified structural shortcomings in India’s defence acquisition system, including a lack of specialised expertise in areas such as ballistics, gun electronics and advanced sighting systems.

The PAC said such gaps should have been identified during the planning stage rather than after project execution. It recommended introducing specialised defence manufacturing courses in IITs and other technical institutions to strengthen expertise.

Panel calls for faster capability assessment and procurement

The PAC has recommended periodic reviews of defence capability gaps and timely acquisition of critical equipment to maintain operational readiness.

The committee also called for detailed assessments of domestic manufacturing capabilities before launching major defence projects to avoid delays, cost overruns and supply chain issues. It stressed the need for clear guidelines to ensure suppliers meet operational requirements.

The panel warned that given the current geopolitical environment, the Army cannot continue operating with obsolete artillery systems for extended periods. It noted that artillery remains a key element of land warfare, with shortcomings directly affecting the Army’s ability to deliver sustained firepower.

During the period, the Army has also inducted M777 ultra-light howitzers and K9 self-propelled artillery guns.

Dhanush completes trials at Pokhran

The 155mm, 45-calibre Dhanush howitzer is designed to fire 155mm ammunition and can be equipped with a bi-modular charge system (BMCS) to enhance its range.

The artillery gun successfully completed trials at Pokhran in June 2018 before entering service with the Army.