Kalyani Group's MArG 155 - BR: Autoloader Upgrade Brings Artillery Innovation

India's Kalyani Group is making significant strides in artillery development with its groundbreaking Multi-terrain Artillery Gun (MArG) 155 - BR.

A recent video from the Bharat Shakti defence website highlights a major new development – an autoloader system integrated into the MArG.

This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the system's firing efficiency and crew safety, aligning with global trends in artillery automation.

The Significance of the Autoloader​

Artillery systems have traditionally relied on manual loading. This process, although improved over time, still introduces some inherent limitations. An autoloader eliminates the need for human intervention in loading shells and charges, offering several benefits:

• Increased Rate of Fire: The autoloader enables a faster and more consistent firing rate, potentially boosting the gun's overall firepower.
• Reduced Crew Fatigue: Manual loading is physically demanding. An autoloader lessens crew fatigue, improving their performance over extended periods.
• Enhanced Crew Safety: Handling heavy shells and charges carries risks. An autoloader mitigates accidental detonations and injuries.

Armenian Contract and Beyond​

The video also indicates that newly manufactured MArG 155 - BR guns are being delivered to Armenia via Iran as part of a 2023 contract. While it's unknown if these specific units have the autoloader, this export deal underscores the MArG's emerging appeal on the international market.

Moreover, the Indian Army is conducting trials of the MArG 155 – BR. The inclusion of an autoloader could be a major factor influencing the Army's decision, as the feature aligns with India's modernization goals for its artillery capabilities.

MArG 155 - BR: A Unique and Powerful Platform​

Beyond the autoloader, the MArG 155 - BR stands out for several key reasons:

• 4x4 High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Base: Its mounting on a 4x4 HMV is unique in this gun class, offering unparalleled mobility and deployability in challenging terrains.
• Exceptional Maneuverability: The "go-anywhere gun" moniker comes from its 30-degree gradient negotiation capability, allowing it to operate where traditional towed or larger truck-mounted artillery may struggle.
• Shoot and Scoot: The system's fast deployment (less than 2 minutes) and shoot and scoot capability reduces its counter-battery fire vulnerability.

Conclusion​

Kalyani Group's relentless innovation with the MArG 155 - BR is turning heads. The potential addition of an autoloader puts it on the cutting edge of modern artillery technology.

Whether destined for the Indian Army or further export successes, the MArG 155 - BR is clearly making an impact in the defense world. Its unique features and evolving capabilities make it a system worth watching closely in the years to come.

 

[Pink Panther]

It doesn’t matter if Kalyani shows or not, IA will eventually buy from Israel.

 

[NSR]

If Kalyani really developed it by itself in India, then India should order them in large numbers as they can move swiftly in mountainous areas and defend areas from surprise attacks.

If it is a screwdriver job for Israel, then India should say a BIG NO.

Buy only Indian Maal Howitzers, except for K-9 Vajra if they transfer Gun technology.

 

[kumar]

If Kalyani really developed it by itself in India, then India should order them in large numbers as they can move swiftly in mountainous areas and defend areas from surprise attacks.

It is designed by Kalyani and it is inhouse product. But IA procurement is a mess.

 

[NSR]

It is designed by Kalyani and it is inhouse product. But IA procurement is a mess.

Thank you.
In that case, we must order them in large numbers.

 

[AK S]

It doesn’t matter if Kalyani shows or not, IA will eventually buy from Israel.

Specs are already rigged.

 

[Satya Dev]

I think this 30km range MArG-BR 155mmx39cal MGS with autoloader is for Armenia. For IA Kalyanis will offer 48km range MArG-ER 155mmx52cal MGS.

 

[beencensured]

Autoloaders are most necessary to make platform CBRN proof. It is great step forward for India and put less risk for crew. In fact, having this capability should make Kalyani systems the top choice. In fact, they should develop such systems for all gun systems atags ,mgs, and so on.

Kalyani seems to be leading in development of artillery.

 

[Vf Feb]

Kalyani , u do anything , even if you offer it for 1 Cr Price ... We the IA will buy from israel ONLY or BAE only ..IA needs Titatnuim , Gold , Copper , Nickel , Diamond Plated only

 

[Sandeep]

India is no longer going to buy any foreign guns or even foreign made in India guns. We have a really diverse range of 100% indigenously designed and developed guns which are more ideal and better than some foreign expensive imports. We need to order more shoot and scoot capable guns as they are more ideal and safer to use.

 

[Akshat]

Specs are already rigged.

Which specs are rugged, can you please elaborate?

 

[Akshat]

Kalyani , u do anything , even if you offer it for 1 Cr Price ... We the IA will buy from israel ONLY or BAE only ..IA needs Titatnuim , Gold , Copper , Nickel , Diamond Plated only

Yeah yeah…that’s why IA is spending a much higher amount on towed guns made by DRDO. So much extra money that army is forced to buy only 300 instead of its original requirement of 400. But we won’t appreciate their patriotism and blame them only.

 

[Puneet]

Good gun. IA would definitely go for it after the trials

 

[Vf Feb]

Yeah yeah…that’s why IA is spending a much higher amount on towed guns made by DRDO. So much extra money that army is forced to buy only 300 instead of its original requirement of 400. But we won’t appreciate their patriotism and blame them only.

Pls provide facts abt pricing which u r quoting without even before price declarion between private , public , foreign vendors

 

[PRASANTh]

Yeah yeah…that’s why IA is spending a much higher amount on towed guns made by DRDO. So much extra money that army is forced to buy only 300 instead of its original requirement of 400. But we won’t appreciate their patriotism and blame them only.

Hi,
I always found it a little wrong that we need all our systems to operate everywhere perfectly - high and low altitude, hot and cold, dry and wet, plains and mountains.

Just like Apache that can only be used in the western front, Atags is super suited for Western border where range plays an important role.

Maybe we should look at different standards for different fronts....

 

[Akshat]

Hi,
I always found it a little wrong that we need all our systems to operate everywhere perfectly - high and low altitude, hot and cold, dry and wet, plains and mountains.

Just like Apache that can only be used in the western front, Atags is super suited for Western border where range plays an important role.

Maybe we should look at different standards for different fronts....

It’s not about different fronts or different standards or range or anything else.

Fact is, all our GCVs that tow these guns have a limit of 16 tons. So if we buy anything above that, we will need new GCVs, which means a much higher cost.

Point is, even if we assume that the extra range is worth it, DRDO should have talked to the army and convinced them. If they were convinced, they should have gone ahead else not. Now we are forced to buy a lower number of guns which itself is a huge issue.

Also, Apache is not just to be used in the western front. It has been used in Ladakh as well. So it is suitable for all Indian terrains.

 

[Akshat]

Pls provide facts abt pricing which u r quoting without even before price declarion between private , public , foreign vendors

IA has to buy new GCVs. That automatically means extra cost. Plus the cost of Athos is already present with us. 16 crores. ATAGS was quoted at 21 crores. Then add the cost of GCVs etc.

That is why our army reduced the order from 400 earlier to 300 now.

 

[Sandeep]

For artillery guns we have a diverse range of indigenous guns and they meet the requirements that the army have asked for. Priority goes to indigenous guns rather than a foreign designed but made in India gun. Also there’s a complete ban and embargo in place which bans importing them as well. So they only have the option of selecting an indigenously designed and manufactured gun.