Indian Army’s Push for Indigenous 105mm/37 Cal Mounted Gun System: A Strategic Leap in Artillery Modernization

The Indian Army has taken a significant step toward enhancing its artillery capabilities with the recent Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of a 105mm/37 Calibre Mounted Gun System (Paradroppable) along with ammunition vehicles. This initiative, approved under the Buy (Indian) category as per Chapter II of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing. With the Request for Proposal (RFP) expected by June 1, 2025, and interested vendors invited to express interest by May 6, 2025, the program aims to equip the Army with a lightweight, mobile, and paradroppable artillery system tailored for challenging terrains, particularly high-altitude regions. Among the potential contenders, Bharat Forge’s Garuda 105 V2 stands out as a promising indigenous solution. This article explores the procurement’s strategic importance, its technical requirements, and the available options, with a focus on the Garuda 105.

Strategic Context and Need

The Indian Army’s artillery modernization has been a priority, driven by the need to replace aging systems and enhance operational flexibility along sensitive borders, such as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. The 105mm/37 Cal Mounted Gun System is designed to address specific operational challenges in mountainous and high-altitude areas, where heavy artillery is often impractical due to logistical constraints. The paradroppable feature ensures rapid deployment in remote regions, making it a force multiplier for airborne and mountain warfare units. By mandating procurement under the Buy (Indian) category, the Army is aligning with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, prioritizing domestic innovation and manufacturing.

The system’s specifications reflect its intended role: a maximum combat weight of 8 tons (excluding ammunition, accessories, and crew), a service life of at least 20 years, and compatibility with in-service 105mm ammunition. The gun must achieve a maximum range of at least 17,000 meters and a minimum range of 2,500 meters, with a barrel life of no less than 4,500 Equivalent Full Charge (EFC). Additionally, its dimensions—length ≤ 6 meters, height ≤ 2.13 meters, and width ≤ 2.6 meters—ensure it can be airdropped from aircraft like the C-17 Globemaster, enhancing strategic deployability.

Bharat Forge’s Garuda 105: A Front-Runner

Among the potential options, Bharat Forge’s Garuda 105 V2, developed by its subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), is a strong contender. The Garuda 105 is an ultra-lightweight, mobile artillery system designed to meet the demands of high-altitude warfare. Weighing under 5.5 tons (well below the Army’s 8-ton limit), it incorporates advanced hybrid recoil technology, reducing the gun’s weight to approximately 900 kg compared to traditional 105mm systems, which often exceed 3 tons. Mounted on a 4x4 wheeled chassis, typically a TATA vehicle, it offers exceptional all-terrain maneuverability, including in mountainous regions.

The Garuda 105 V2 aligns closely with the AoN’s requirements:

• Calibre and Barrel Length: It is a 105mm/37 calibre system, matching the Army’s specifications.

• Range: The gun offers a maximum range of 19.5 km with rocket-assisted projectiles and 11.6 km with standard ammunition, exceeding the required 17 km.

• Weight and Paradrop Compatibility: At under 5.5 tons, it fits within the weight limit, and its compact design (though exact dimensions are not publicly specified) is optimized for airdrop operations, as demonstrated in recent tests with the Indian Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster.

• Ammunition Compatibility: It can fire in-service 105mm rounds, including high-explosive, illumination, rocket-assisted projectiles, and smoke cartridges, ensuring logistical simplicity.

• Barrel Life and Durability: While specific EFC data is unavailable, the system’s modern design suggests it meets or exceeds the 4,500 EFC requirement.

• Fire Control System: The Garuda 105 features a digital fire control system with an inertial navigation system, muzzle velocity radar, direct fire camera, GPS, and optical telescope, enabling rapid and precise targeting.

The Garuda 105’s “shoot and scoot” capability, enabled by its mobility and quick deployment time (1.5 minutes in daylight, 2 minutes at night), makes it ideal for evading counter-battery fire, a critical advantage in modern warfare where drones and artillery-locating radars are prevalent. Its successful trials in high-altitude regions like Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, along with an airdrop exercise in 2024, have bolstered confidence in its reliability and suitability for the Army’s needs.