To ensure that there is no shortage of ammunition due to the ongoing wars in the world, the Army has increased its vendors.

New Delhi: Due to the wars going on on different fronts in the world, there was a difference in the supply of ammunition to the Indian Army, but now the Indian Army has increased its vendor base so that there is no shortage of ammunition at the time of need. This month, the Indian Army is also conducting trials of ammunition from different private and public sector companies. Work is also being done on nubless and sensor fused ammunition. DG (Director General) Artillery in the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Adosh Kumar said that the supply chain was affected due to the global conflict. To avoid any shortage of ammunition, we have increased our vendor base. Earlier we used to depend on only one agency for ammunition of 155 mm guns but now private sector has also been opened. This month we are conducting trials of different types of 155 mm ammunition, in which different private and public sector companies will be involved.

Efforts to make various types of weapons and ammunition

Work is being done at many levels to increase the accuracy and capacity of ammunition. The Army is working with different partners on developing different types of ammunition. Work is also being done on sensor fused ammunition and longer range ammunition so that they can operate from depth areas. Trials of ammunition made by private vendors will also be conducted.

An army officer said that nubless ammunition is slightly different in structure from normal ammunition. These remain stable inside the gun, which increases their accuracy and range. Besides this, lethality also increases. Sensor fused ammunition is smart ammunition. Normal ammunition is fired according to calculations. It is filled inside the gun and then when pushed, it goes in its trajectory.

Whatever influences the trajectory, including wind and weather, impacts the projectile and accordingly it falls near the target. Artillery (cannon) is an area weapon, that is, it destroys a large area and a normal shell can fall 100 meters ahead of the target. But sensor fused ammunition is equipped with a smart proximity fuse so that it identifies the target and attacks accurately. This not only increases accuracy but also increases lethality.

Same shells can be fired in all cannons

The army currently has 105 and 130 mm artillery guns. Now only 155 mm caliber artillery guns are being manufactured all over the world. The Indian Army is also modernizing its artillery. The target is that by the year 2040, all the guns will be of 155 mm caliber. Since all the cannons are 155 mm, the same shells can be used in all, which will make it easier to store and manage the ammunition. Also, if guns of the same caliber are used, the army will gain expertise in it.