DHANUSH – THE VERSATILE REINCARNATION

Bofors – End of a Glorious Innings?

Existence of Bofors in contemporary Indian military history is much like that of Karna in Mahabharata. While both irrefutably strengthened the side they were on, the ones who brought them forth were conspicuous through disassociation. The controversy that trailed the gun and doesn’t seem to abate even after decades of its existence and eventual extinction, resulted in two significant events. Firstly, the manufacturer of the howitzer was blacklisted, prohibiting Army from sourcing spares from it. Second, the priceless Transfer of Technology (TOT) accompanying the deal was left to languish denying India an opportunity to indigenously produce the state-of-the-art gun system.

It is the unbelievable robustness of the weapon and ingenuity of Indian Soldiers, that helped it continue booming in the wind-swept icy heights of Kargil, despite a chocked supply chain. Numerous instances of sublime individual valour apart, it is Bofors that tilted the Kargil War in India’s favour. Merits of the gun notwithstanding, Bofors will remain a political hot potato for times to come.

Dhanush – The Redeemer?

Heavy outflow of precious foreign exchange has often been attributed to Army's penchant for importing weapon systems. Justifying its stand, Army points out, quality inadequacies associated with Indian-made weapon systems. Approved induction of ‘Dhanush’ into the Indian Arsenal seems to change all that for now and open a new chapter for Indian Military Hardware Manufacturing Sector. Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) now leads the ‘Make in India’ story.

Force Multiplier

Dhanush, the contemporary Bofors reincarnate, retains the robust characteristics of its worthy predecessor. A combination of autonomous deployment capability, seamless day and night operability, longer range, better accuracy and varied payload deliverables, makes it more versatile and deadlier than Bofors. Dhanush is truly a, tactical battle field, force multiplier. Dhanush not only provides considerable battle field superiority and operational flexibility, it ensures strategic advantage integral to indigenous manufacturing capability of Military hardware.

Dhanush is equipped with ‘Artillery Gun Aiming and Positioning System’ (AGAPS), consisting of an inertial navigation system and encoders for positioning capability, muscle velocity reader for warhead departure feedback and firing data corrections, an on-board ballistic computer and communication equipment enabling advanced target acquisition and accurate fire support. It comes with upgraded hydraulic actuators and advanced day and night direct firing systems.  It retains the versatile self-propulsion unit, helping it to negotiate and deploy itself in mountainous areas with ease.

Capability

India has the wherewithal to produce world-class military hardware. OFB, through Project Dhanush, has proven that. Post extensive, rigorous multi-terrain, all-weather field trials, Dhanush has been accepted by Army. Consequently, Army is believed to have issued ‘Bulk Production Clearance’ and an order of 144 guns.  While OFB must be complemented for scripting the first credible, spectacular and mega ‘Make-in-India’ story, it must, safeguard itself against concerns, often voiced against it.

Concerns

Consistency is the hallmark of reliability and complacency its nemesis. Euphoria over the multi-million order book notwithstanding, given its past, OFB should prevent complacency creeping in. With a history of being afflicted with inconsistent quality and persistent timeline slippages, quality records of OFB may not be pleasing.

Army’s decision to phase out INSAS weapons is believed to have originated from quality concerns. OFB made anti-tank mines, declared defective and held far too long in a premier ammunition installation, awaiting disposal orders is believed to have caused a major fire resulting in tragic loss of lives. Front-line Armoured Fighting Vehicles and Infantry Combat Vehicles manufactured by OFB had their own share of quality problems.

Enjoying monopoly over most Indian Military Hardware, delivery against orders by Army on OFB is besieged by delay. OFB, being a Governmental organisation, remains insulated from pecuniary liabilities, that would have been automatically levied on defaulters. With ‘cold-start’ doctrine and ‘two-front’ engagements gaining traction, slippages in delivery has a direct impact on the war readiness of the country.

Caution

Howitzers, that reach well beyond the tactical battle field with a range of warheads, become the fulcrum elements in offensive and defensive land operations. Required to operate in extreme climatic conditions, these need to be backed by high quality metallurgy, hydraulics, ballistic and munitions. OFB must realise, that with each deployed howitzer, the moral weight of operation rests, as much on its shoulders, as on that of the individuals planning and executing the operation. Bofors had proved its mettle in real battle. 

This is the hour of reckoning for OFB and it must seize the opportunity with all its might.