Indian Army Declines Upgraded Sharang Guns Citing Quality Concerns; 141 Units Suspended
India's artillery modernization efforts have encountered a significant challenge as the Indian Army has officially rejected a series of upgraded Sharang 155mm/45-calibre artillery guns. These were produced by the state-owned Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL). The rejection comes after the identification of crucial quality issues.
AWEIL delivered 159 of the 300 contracted guns before reports surfaced indicating problems such as inconsistent metallurgy, barrel performance issues, sub-par machining, and failures to meet accuracy and safety standards during trials. Subsequently, the Army has put a hold on the remaining 141 guns indefinitely, pending a technical audit that substantiated these deficiencies.
The Sharang project, introduced in 2018, aimed to upgrade the older Soviet-era 130mm M-46 guns to 155mm/45-calibre systems. This upgrade was designed to extend the range to 39 km and ensure compatibility with locally produced ammunition. It was a key component of India's artillery rationalization strategy, which aimed to streamline logistics and standardize calibers.
The rejection of these guns casts doubt on AWEIL's quality control processes and poses questions about the viability of defense modernization initiatives led by public sector enterprises.
The Army's decision to reject these guns delays the integration of upgraded medium artillery into vital formations, which could lead to capability gaps along sensitive border areas. This situation also places added pressure on concurrent programs, including the induction of the Dhanush 155mm/45-calibre howitzer and the development of the ATAGS 155mm/52-calibre system by private sectors.
Experts caution that these delays may impede India's efforts to standardize its medium artillery inventory by 2030.
The Ministry of Defence is anticipated to conduct a thorough review of AWEIL’s production processes. Potential outcomes of this review range from imposing penalties and renegotiating contracts to possibly blacklisting the company, depending on what the findings reveal.
The Army, in response, is expected to expedite the induction of the ATAGS and consider additional orders for the Dhanush system to bridge the gap. Concurrently, they may implement interim measures to ensure that frontline artillery regiments remain fully equipped.
