1st batch of 6 ‘Dhanush’ guns handed over to Army
| Date :09-Apr-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
On February 18, 2019, OFB has received the bulk production clearance of manufacturing of 114 guns
“India is shining brightly and proudly in the international circuit of defence production with the induction of indigenously developed world’s biggest 155-mm/45-calibre gun system ‘Dhanush’ in the Indian Army. It is the world’s best artillery gun system with longest and accurate firing efficiency. This indigenous production of new generation towed artillery gun at Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur, is a giant leap towards self-reliance in defence production. Now the country is eyeing to become a big destination for defence and aerospace production in the world,” stated Dr Ajay Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production), Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Secretary (Defence Production), Dr Ajay Kumar was addressing at the handing over ceremony of six indigenously developed ‘Dhanush’ guns to the Indian Army at Gun Carriage Factory (GCF), Jabalpur, on Monday. On the pious occasion of ongoing Chaitra Navratri festival, the festival of Goddess of Power, Director General Ordnance Factories and Chairman of Ordnance Factory Board, Saurabh Kumar handed over six Dhanush guns to Director General (Artillery), P K Shrivastava, PVSM, AVSM, VSM. Secretary (DP), Dr Ajay Kumar further said that it is a matter of pride that Dhanush is the first gun which has been indigenously designed and developed in the country. “India is no longer dependent on other countries for artillery guns as ordnance factories, defence PSUs and private industries are indigenously producing big weapons like fighter jets, warships and artillery guns to strengthen security of the country.”
He termed the event as a historic movement for 115-year-old GCF. officers and employees of GCF and other sister factories, DGQA, Indian Army are credited for indigenous development of Dhanush gun. Dr Kumar informed that India has 90,000 crore ($15 billion) defence acquisition which contributes Rs 15,000 crores of OFB. There is world defence procurement market of $ 300 billion. India has emerged a major export power in the international defence market. China was the biggest defence importer but now amongst big defence exporters and India is also efficiently going ahead on the same way.
The Ministry of Defence started ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’ in collaboration with Ordnance Factories and defence PSUs. Collaborative efforts lead to file above 350 patents for intellections properties during 2018-19 which include more than 100 patents by Ordnance Factories. OFB also started a programme to send its employees for post-graduate courses like M.Tech and Ph.D. which would register more technological innovations in near future. He encouraged the officers and employees to augment technological upgradations and assured for providing all necessary assistance for research and development. DGOF & Chairman, OFB, Saurabh Kumar flagged off of first Batch of 6 Dhanush Guns from GCF Jabalpur to Indian Army (JOD) after BPC. It may be noted that, on February 18, 2019, OFB has received the bulk production clearance of manufacturing of 114 guns.
The occasion was graced by senior dignitaries from the armed forces Lt Gen P K Shrivastava, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, DG Artillery, Lt Gen R S Salaria, Commandant SOA, Major General Manmeet Singh, HQ western command, Brig Ravi Bhardwaj, Controller CQA(W), Brig S Bhargava, WDET Programme coordinator and his team. From OFB side Saurabh Kumar, IOFS , DGOF & Chairman OFB, Hari Mohan, IOFS Member OFB, DDG/W, Secretary OFB, OFK, Senior General Manager (GM), A K Agarwal, GCF, GM, Rajneesh Johri and VFJ, GM, Govind Mohan were present.