Bharat Forge Rolls Out MArG 155mm/45 Wheeled Self-Propelled Howitzer with Rapid Deployment, Extended Range and Precision Fire Capabilities

Pune-based Bharat Forge, a leading Indian manufacturer in the defence sector, has unveiled its latest artillery innovation: the MArG 155mm/45 calibre wheeled self-propelled howitzer. This new system represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the MArG 155mm/39 calibre, which was integrated with the TC-20 ultra-lightweight truck.

The MArG 155mm/45 calibre howitzer boasts enhanced mobility and operational capabilities. Mounted on a 4x4 chassis, it can navigate challenging terrains and gradients up to 30 degrees. A key feature of this howitzer is its rapid deployment capability. It can be ready to fire in just 1.5 minutes during the day and 2 minutes at night, a crucial advantage in dynamic combat situations.

This advanced artillery system is designed to fire both NATO standard and in-service ammunition, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of projectiles and facilitating interoperability with allied forces. With an on-board ammunition capacity of 18 rounds, the MArG 155mm/45 calibre is well-suited for sustained engagements.

The upgrade from the 39 calibre to the 45 calibre barrel brings several advantages. It extends the howitzer's range and enhances the precision of artillery strikes, aligning with the demands of modern warfare where speed and accuracy are paramount. This development likely builds upon the Bharat 45 155mm/45 Calibre towed gun system, showcasing Bharat Forge's commitment to developing advanced artillery solutions.

Technical Specifications

• Caliber: 155mm/45
• Mobility: 4x4 chassis for superior maneuverability
• Ammunition: Compatible with NATO standards, 18 rounds capacity
• Operational Speed: Ready to fire in 1.5 to 2 minutes

This new howitzer system strengthens India's defence capabilities by providing the army with a highly mobile, versatile, and powerful artillery solution. It underscores Bharat Forge's role as a key player in the indigenous development of advanced defence technologies.

 

[Hari Sud]

Appears to be a very good gun…rest when the army tests it for two years.

 

[INDIAN]

The Indian Army and Indian government are so slow in the actual induction process that it took ages for any new weapons to get inducted. Don't know what they do, test for eternity and all the official negotiations... Ah, probably my son may see this weapon in his lifetime.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

If Bharath Forge need return on their investment for this product, first try to find any foreign country for export. Do not expect any order from our Army in any near future.

 

[Kira]

I believe they should develop the larger 155mm/52 calibre gun as they will lead to standardized gun size for upcoming IA artillery.

 

[rocky]

The Indian Army and Indian government are so slow in the actual induction process that it took ages for any new weapons to get inducted. Don't know what they do, test for eternity and all the official negotiations... Ah, probably my son may see this weapon in his lifetime.

What is the urgency that I don't understand? Are you under a war or something?

 

[Karan Gogoi]

What is the urgency that I don't understand? Are you under a war or something?

Been sleeping long? By the time you manage to wash your face and freshen up... you'll find the current news to be: 5th gen have already been deployed at our doorsteps (with production capacity to be 200 airframes per year), sixth gen are now flown, HAL hasn't managed to deliver 30 Tejas in 10 years, light tanks, advanced artillery, advanced strike drones and a plethora of cutting edge weapons have already been deployed at our borders and next gen are being tested (and by next gen I don't mean something like MARG...far from it), next gen tankers, AWACS etc have all been inducted recently as well.

While India is still mid-way in its 2-3 decade trial period after which it'll just place orders with a foreign company. "Dilli abhi door hai"...eh?

Not to worry, brochures and CGI renders told me AMCA, Tejas Mk2, TEDBF, WHAP, locally designed/manufactured combat rifles/SMG and MARG are all better than anything else in the world.

 

[Sandeep]

Been sleeping long? By the time you manage to wash your face and freshen up... you'll find the current news to be: 5th gen have already been deployed at our doorsteps (with production capacity to be 200 airframes per year), sixth gen are now flown, HAL hasn't managed to deliver 30 Tejas in 10 years, light tanks, advanced artillery, advanced strike drones and a plethora of cutting edge weapons have already been deployed at our borders and next gen are being tested (and by next gen I don't mean something like MARG...far from it), next gen tankers, AWACS etc have all been inducted recently as well.

While India is still mid-way in its 2-3 decade trial period after which it'll just place orders with a foreign company. "Dilli abhi door hai"...eh?

Not to worry, brochures and CGI renders told me AMCA, Tejas Mk2, TEDBF, WHAP, locally designed/manufactured combat rifles/SMG and MARG are all better than anything else in the world.

You forget that India has a nuclear shield that can be used against any type of conventional military. True India is moving slow on developing indigenous weapons and technology but progress is being made.

Also I think he’s asking why is there such a very urgent need while we have many similar guns in service already and more are being added.

 

[Sandeep]

We are making a lot of progress in designing, developing and manufacturing new type of artillery guns. Now that it’s ready our army must complete all of the tests quickly so that orders can be placed.

So far we have developed every type of gun that’s possible except for a tracked self propelled howitzer. This should be the next project so that we don’t have to order more K9 Vajra vehicles and we can own that technology and strengthen our fire power by manufacturing more indigenous guns.

 

[Karan Gogoi]

You forget that India has a nuclear shield that can be used against any type of conventional military. True India is moving slow on developing indigenous weapons and technology but progress is being made.

Also I think he’s asking why is there such a very urgent need while we have many similar guns in service already and more are being added.

Did Galwan escalate into nuclear conflict?! Or did any of the other insurgency or Indo-Pak wars??? Be realistic.

A nuclear shield is a token argument that won't be effective against an adversary that has a similar nuclear shield (if not more in number - China) and is rarely used (if at all). It just collects dust in silos. Not to mention, Chinese progress and deployment is anything but "conventional". You're suggesting to use nukes on infantry or combined arms movements??? Or drones??? Or jets and tanks??? Seriously?

"Progress being made" and "keeping pace and parity" are two separate things. We are behind, and by the attitude, it doesn't even look like we are willing to speed up to keep pace.

We made one tunnel and bridge at the border today - that's progress.

They did it 20 years ago and approximately 50 in number, along with state-of-the-art towns and cities with vast logistical supply lines and train stations - that's not having parity or enough developmental pace.

 

[kumar]

Feel pity for these private companies who are investing their money in hope of orders from IA. And there are companies like L&T, who are importing weapons platforms and putting their label and selling it to IA, all in the name of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

 

[Sandeep]

Did Galwan escalate into nuclear conflict?! Or did any of the other insurgency or Indo-Pak wars??? Be realistic.

A nuclear shield is a token argument that won't be effective against an adversary that has a similar nuclear shield (if not more in number - China) and is rarely used (if at all). It just collects dust in silos. Not to mention, Chinese progress and deployment is anything but "conventional". You're suggesting to use nukes on infantry or combined arms movements??? Or drones??? Or jets and tanks??? Seriously?

"Progress being made" and "keeping pace and parity" are two separate things. We are behind, and by the attitude, it doesn't even look like we are willing to speed up to keep pace.

We made one tunnel and bridge at the border today - that's progress.

They did it 20 years ago and approximately 50 in number, along with state-of-the-art towns and cities with vast logistical supply lines and train stations - that's not having parity or enough developmental pace.

So our military responded to galwan. They attacked and ended up losing more than 45 troops against only 20 of ours, their army was stuck in the open for years doing nothing and then had to retreat to their side in humiliation. None of their alleged technological superiority was of any use as they couldn’t use them and their technology is very unreliable, faulty and never does what they claim it can do.

The whole point of having nuclear weapons is so that major wars can be avoided. As both have nuclear weapons that can destroy each other and ensure mutual destruction then this avoids potential wars. You will get very limited incursion or skirmishes. Even if a conventional war would break out then China will struggle and wouldn’t be able to achieve anything because of our strong defence, experience, well trained, well armed forces. Even in a worst case scenario if India would think it’s losing the war and the country then as a last resort do you think India will hesitate to use their nuclear weapons? Never

In the last few years we have made major improvements to our villages and cities along the entire border in it’s infrastructure, more military and police bases, weapon storage, heavy artillery, more SAM, tanks, IFV, new air bases or improvements to existing one, more radar stations, communication lines, internet fibre optic cables, more funding for those places, schools, healthcare care, education, businesses, investments etc.