The Indian Army has reportedly taken delivery of three indigenously developed 155mm Dhanush artillery guns from Gun Carriage Factory (GCF).

Developed by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the new artillery gun is a towed howitzer with a strike range of 38km.

The guns have been developed following the submission of design documents under the Phase I of Transfer of Technology (ToT) during the Bofors gun deal, The Press Trust of India reported, citing a GCF official.

The army had ordered six howitzers following a series of successful trials, in which the gun successfully fired nearly 2,000 rounds in different climatic conditions.

"Another consignment of three guns is being readied and these howitzers too will be delivered to the army shortly."

GCF joint general manager and PRO Sanjay Shrivastava were quoted by the PTI as saying: "Three 155mm howitzers (Dhanush) have been handed over to the army recently for user's trial.

"Another consignment of three guns is being readied and these howitzers too will be delivered to the army shortly.”

The army is seeking 114 Dhanush guns in total from GCF, in an effort to increase its firepower.

Also called Desi Bofors, the Dhanush gun features electronic gun-laying and sighting systems and has an enhanced 11km range, when compared to the 27km range of the imported Bofors.

Image: An Indian Army artillery gun. Photo: courtesy of Gopal1035.