Indian Field Gun Explained

Indian Field Gun
Origin:India
Type:Field gun
Is Ranged:yes
Is Explosive:yes
Is Artillery:yes
Used By:See Operators
Designer:ARDE
Design Date:1972
Manufacturer:Gun Carriage Factory Jabalpur
Production Date:1978–present[1]
Variants:Mk-1, Mk-2, Truck mounted variant, OFB 105 mm SPG
Weight:2380kg (5,250lb)
Length:5.94m (19.49feet)
Part Length:2.31m (07.58feet) L/22
Width:2.21m (07.25feet)
Height:1.73m (05.68feet)
Cartridge:105 x 372 mm R
HE, HESH, HEAT, illuminating, smoke
Caliber:105mm
Velocity:475m/s
Max Range:17200m (56,400feet) to 20000m (70,000feet)
Breech:Horizontal block
Recoil:Hydropneumatic, constant, 42inches
Carriage:split trail
Elevation:-5° to +73°
Traverse:30° left & right

The Indian Field Gun is a towed field gun developed in India and extensively used in the Indian Army.

Development

The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) began the design and development of the gun in 1972 to replace the older 25-pounder guns used by the Indian Army. It was produced in the Gun Carriage Factory (GCF), Jabalpur from 1978 onwards.[1] [2] [3] In addition to the GCF, the guns have been manufactured at Gun Carriage Factory Jabalpur.

The shells are manufactured at ordnance factories in Ambajhari and Chandrapur.[4] It shares many features with the British L118 light gun. It's suitable to operate in mountainous and other difficult terrains, because this gun has excellent portability.[5]

Variants

Towed

The Indian Field Gun (IFG) weighs 3450kg (7,610lb). It has a normal rate of fire of four rounds per minute over ranges from NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet). It can sustain an intense rate of fire of six rounds per minute for up to 10 minutes and a sustained rate of fire for up to one hour. It has a crew of six. The gun has a secondary anti-tank capability. It can operate in temperatures ranging from -27C60C. The recoil on firing is absorbed by two side-mounted hydraulic cylinders. A circular platform provided with the gun can be used for rapid 360° movement.[6] Manufacture of the Indian Field Gun began in 1978. There are three variants:

The Light Field Gun (LFG) variant weights 2380kg (5,250lb), but retains the same rate of fire and range as the IFG. The LFG can be broken down into two or three parts for easy transport and quickly re-assembled. The LFG can be heli-lifted and paradropped.[1] [6] The manufacture of the Light Field Gun began in 1984.[6] There are two variants:

Self propelled

Operators

See also

Notes and References

  1. . Indian 105mm Light Field Gun . International Defense Review. 12 . 8 . Geneva . Interavia . 1979 . 1427 . 5 June 2023. . (Needs login and borrowing to access the specific page).
  2. News: Shukla. Ajai. 155-mm gun contract: DRDO enters the fray. June 29, 2010. Business Standard. New Delhi, India. November 8, 2014.
  3. Web site: Indian Field Gun 105 mm Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 2021-10-03. www.drdo.gov.in.
  4. Web site: Army's in-service guns suffer two barrel bursts. . 2021-03-05. 2022-04-06.
  5. Web site: Military Balance India Vs China Part-3 Indian artillery systems. 2021-06-16. 2022-04-06.
  6. Web site: 105/37 mm Light Field Gun . 2022-04-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428021849/https://ofb.gov.in/unit/pages/GCF/details/105mm-light-field-gun-mk-ii-lfg-1 . 28 April 2021 . dead.
  7. Web site: 2022-05-10 . India Seeks 105mm Mounted Guns, 155mm ATAGS Clears Trials . 2023-07-27 . Overt Defense . en-CA.
  8. Web site: CATALOGUE INDIAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY. 2022-03-01. 2022-04-06. 7.
  9. Web site: Sharang 155mm 45 calibre gun . 2023-07-27 . www.globalsecurity.org.
  10. Web site: Watch: Why India used light artillery guns against Pakistan along the LoC - India News . 2023-07-27 . www.wionews.com.
  11. Web site: deshkeheroes . 2020-10-21 . Top 6 Indian Artillery Guns . 2023-07-27 . Desh Ke Heroes . en-US.
  12. Web site: SIPRI Trade Register. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.