India Army Triumphantly Establishes High-Altitude Artillery Range in Arunachal Pradesh: A Powerful Leap for National Defense
Indian Army Establishes First High-Altitude Artillery Range in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang Sector
Itanagar: The Indian Army has inaugurated a new artillery firing range in the high-altitude Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh, marking a first for the Army’s Eastern Command. This range enables the Army to test and practice the firing of howitzers and other crucial weapon systems.
Director General of Artillery, Lt Gen Adosh Kumar, announced at a media briefing in New Delhi, "A new firing range has been set up in the Tawang sector where we can fire our howitzers and test their capabilities. This is the first high-altitude range and we are trying to find more ranges in other states." He emphasized that having an operational range in the northern border area offers the artillery a realistic operational environment.
In the past two years, the Army has identified two firing ranges in Arunachal Pradesh. While the Tawang range is operational, notification for the second range is underway. Given the ongoing standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), this new firing range holds strategic significance.
Lt Gen Kumar highlighted the Army’s alignment with the "Atmanirbharta" drive, focusing on modernizing through indigenization. The Army plans to increase the range of high explosive pre-fragmented (HEPF) shells by 15-20 percent, with contract agreements expected to finalize within the financial year.
Furthermore, the Army is procuring loiter munitions, swarm drones, and runway-independent remotely-piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). New 155 mm calibre howitzers, including the ultra-light Howitzer (ULH), K-9 Vajra, Dhanush, and Sharang, have been inducted into the Regiment of Artillery. Lt Gen Kumar noted that ULHs, ideal for transport via helicopters, have been stationed along the northern borders. He also mentioned upcoming inductions of more K-9 Vajra, Dhanush, and Sharang gun systems, as well as future acquisitions of Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) and Mounted Gun Systems (MGS).
Trials for both MGS and TGS are anticipated to start in 2025, and the Army is also looking into acquiring futuristic ammunition, signaling a continued commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities.
Original Story https://nenews.in/arunachal-pradesh/india-army-sets-up-high-altitude-artillery-firing-range-in-arunachal-pradesh/14382/
Category : Arunachal Pradesh,Artillery Firing Range,Indian Army
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