Indigenous ‘Sarang-155’ to go on trials by Dec end

Staff Reporter :

INDIGENOUSLY upgraded 155 mm gun system ‘Sarang-155’ at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) will be fielded for trials by December end. Test firing from modified gun system will be carried out at Long Proof Range, OFK. Once the test firing of barrels is completed then VFJ will kickstart assembling of six of the 12 Sarang Gun Systems. Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, Joint General Manager and Spokesman, A K Rai, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’, informed that they have completed assembling of upgraded gun system of Sarang-155. Test firing from two upgraded guns is scheduled in November last week. He informed that VFJ has been assigned for assembling 12 of 30 gun systems while rest will be assembled at Gun Carriage Factory.

The project is providing a new experience to officers and employees to diversify production line of the factory. Sarang Project will prove a milestone for VFJ to take-up other new projects to ensure its contribution to national security forces. Indigenous upgradation of Russian 130 mm gun named Soltam-155 has been carried out at Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur, and its other components are being produced at Ordnance Equipment Centre, Kanpur and Ordnance Factory Kanpur. Vehicle Factory Jabalpur started diversified project of assembling upgraded 130 mm Russian Gun System with assembling of 155 mm barrel.

VFJ has already started assembling of Sarang Gun system in a technical collaboration with Gun Carriage Factory. Initially, Ordnance Factories have been assigned for production of total 30 Sarang Guns. GCF will produce 18 guns and rest 12 will be made at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur. Upgradation of 130 mm Russian gun is a part of research and development being carried out at Gun Carriage Factory. The factory participated in technical bidding amongst two other private firms to exhibit its upgraded guns for procuring its production order from the Ministry of Defence.