Nagpur: The Ordnance Factory, which is undertaking proof fires of next batch of indigenous Dhanush 155mm gun made in lines of Bofors, plans to deliver three more pieces to the Army in a week.
During the proofing trial under way at Balasore, one of the Dhanush guns had suffered a snag in one of the components between the barrel and rest of the gun. Sources said the incident may not hamper further supply of guns. After an inspection, it was found that there was a snag in the particular spare, which will be replaced in over a week. As no design flaw has been found, the firing on rest of the guns will continue, said a source.
With three more guns sent this year apart from the six inducted for the first time in 2019, the Army is expected to have two batteries of the indigenous guns. Six guns make one battery. By end of the current financial year, the Ordnance Factory hopes to send 20 guns in all to the Army. Dhanush is being made at the Gun Carriage Factory (GCF), Jabalpur.
The proofing trials could have happened earlier but were delayed due to Covid, which ultimately hampered the supply. The GCF is targeting to make 40 Dhanush guns in the next financial year followed by 48 after that.
The project was initiated over nine years ago after which the first batch was inducted in 2019.
During the trial stage, the project had faced set back a due to snags at different stages. However, the weapon has finally cleared the Army’s evaluation and is now under the process of induction.