India’s efforts to modernise its artillery capabilities have come under fresh scrutiny after a Parliamentary committee expressed concern over delays in the induction of the indigenous Dhanush artillery gun programme. The panel has urged the Ministry of Defence to streamline procurement procedures and ensure that critical military projects are completed within scheduled timelines.
In its observations, the committee noted that delays in defence acquisition not only increase project costs but also affect the operational readiness of the armed forces. It stressed that modern weapon systems must be inducted on time to address evolving security challenges and maintain combat preparedness.
The Dhanush artillery gun, an indigenously developed 155 mm/45 calibre system, is considered a significant milestone in India’s defence manufacturing journey. Developed with substantial indigenous content, the gun has demonstrated improved firing range, accuracy and automation compared to earlier systems. However, the committee observed that the programme has faced prolonged delays before reaching large-scale induction.
The panel recommended that the Ministry of Defence strengthen project monitoring mechanisms, improve coordination between stakeholders and remove procedural bottlenecks that slow the execution of major defence programmes. It also called for better planning to ensure indigenous projects move from development to production without unnecessary interruptions.
The report further highlighted that timely induction of indigenous weapon systems is essential for reducing dependence on foreign imports while supporting the government’s vision of achieving greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Defence analysts believe that lessons learned from the Dhanush programme could help improve the execution of future indigenous projects, including next-generation artillery systems, armoured platforms and advanced missile programmes. Faster decision-making and efficient production processes are expected to play a crucial role in meeting the Indian Armed Forces’ long-term modernisation goals.
While acknowledging the technological progress made through the Dhanush programme, the Parliamentary panel emphasised that future defence projects should adhere to stricter timelines to ensure that the armed forces receive modern equipment without avoidable delays. The recommendations are expected to contribute to ongoing reforms aimed at making India’s defence acquisition system more efficient and responsive.