The modern battlefield is characterised by devastation and destruction. Artillery, missiles and rockets are preferred weapons to inflict maximum casualties on the adversary. Artillery remains the king of the battlefield. However, these weapon systems are themselves vulnerable to counterstrikes. There is an increased presence of counter-artillery batteries, capable of responding to artillery and rocket fire in seconds, necessitating redeployment as part of survivability tactics.

UAVs track movement of large weapons and the presence of loitering drones circling the battlefield and seeking to strike artillery, rockets and tanks, either deployed or on the move. Thus, while these weapon systems inflict mass damage, they also need requisite countermeasures, either alongside them or as part of their method of employment. Both Russia and Ukraine were reported to be firing up to 10,000 artillery shells per day, highlighting the need for nations to possess such production capability in war. This implies that calibre of guns of the artillery must be common thereby simplifying production facilities.

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In Russia’s case, North Korea supplied it with ammunition while the West procured artillery ammunition from across the world, including Pakistan, for Ukraine. While India has allies, it must be ‘Aatmanirbhar,’ in its artillery. It is not just a question of supply of ammunition during operations but also stranglehold on spares. India has experienced it in the past and therefore prioritises indigenization. What is the state of the Indian artillery currently? Years of neglect during the UPA regime due to the ghost of Bofors floating through MoD corridors ensured almost no new procurements. India continued with a range of guns from 105mm to 130 to 155mm.

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This meant multiple supply chains, repair facilities, ammunition factories and the greatest........

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