AWEIL has showcased Dhanush 155 mm/52 calibre towed howitzers (pictured) at Defexpo 2022 being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. (Janes/Kapil Kajal)
India's state-run Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) has upgraded the Dhanush towed howitzers.
AWEIL has showcased Dhanush 155 mm/52 calibre towed howitzers at Defence Expo 2022 being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from 18 to 22 October.
Rajeev Sharma, general manager of AWEIL, told Janes that the Dhanush 155 mm/52 calibre towed howitzers have a firing range of 42 km, as opposed to the 38 km range of Dhanush 155 mm/45 calibre towed howitzers.
“The Indian Army is looking to procure light weapons so that they can be deployed in any terrain. Considering this, the upgraded Dhanush is less than 14 tonne, which is the lightest in the 155 mm category weapon systems,” Rajeev added.
The upgraded Dhanush model has successfully completed the testing, Rajeev said.
According to the company, the Dhanush 155 mm/52 calibre towed howitzer is an all-terrain weapon system with upgraded manoeuvrability.
The howitzer is modified with a double baffle muzzle brake of higher efficiency and a retractable barrel for improved manoeuvrability on turns.
The Dhanush 155 mm/52 calibre towed howitzer is upgraded with a unified sighting system for day and night engagement of stationary and moving targets.
The length of the barrel is 8,060 mm and its (barrel's) weight is 2,790 kg. The howitzer operates from an elevation of -3° to +70°.
The speed of the towed gun is more than 40 km/h on metalled roads.
The howitzer has a burst rate of fire of three rounds in 30 seconds, an intense rate of 12 rounds in three minutes, and a sustained rate of 42 rounds for one hour.
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