What is 155 mm/52 calibre barrel DRDO is offering to private players as transfer of technology

DRDO is extending the technology to private industry, which has the capacity to mass produce the weapons systems required by armed forces.

Representational photo of the Indian Army’s Regiment of Artillery | ANI

New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has come out with an expression of interest document offering transfer of technology (ToT) for the 155 mm/52 calibre gun barrel to private players.

The barrel has been developed by the DRDO for its mounted gun system (MGS) and is now being offered to the industry as ToT.

The barrel is smaller to the one developed for the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and hence lighter.

The ATAGS has a 155 mm/52 calibre gun barrel with a chamber volume of 25 litres as against the newer one with chamber volume of 23 litres.

“This makes the barrel lighter and can be used by an industry for developing any kind of gun system,” a source in the defence establishment said, explaining the significance.

Incidentally, the Army is looking at a lighter Towed Gun System (TGS) which will be the mainstay of the force in future. The gun is meant to be around 15 tonnes–much lighter than ATAGS but with similar firepower.

Sources said the new barrel was developed for the Mounted Gun System (MGS) that will begin Army trials this year along with other companies, including state-run Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Ltd and TATA.

The DRDO has tied up with private firm Kalyani Group for the MGS.

The DRDO, being a research and development (R&D) agency, extends the technology to private industry, which has the capacity to mass produce the weapons systems required by the armed forces. It is only after an understanding is reached between the two sides will they sign the licensing agreement for transfer of technology.

In the expression of interest, the DRDO stated that during the design and development of the weapons system (barrel, breech mechanism, muzzle brake and recoil system), the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) designed and developed a 155 mm/52 calibre barrel with 23-litres chamber capacity.

It added the gun is suitable for firing up to zone-6 charge and achieving corresponding range requirements, with an in-service 155 mm ammunition. This means the capacity of the chamber determines the firing range of the artillery gun system. The charge capacity of the gun depends on the rounds and ammunition that go into the barrel. The capacity of the chamber determines how much ammunition can go into it. The more the ammo, the longer the range to shoot. The 155mm/52 calibre, 23-litre chamber capacity barrel is well proven and exploited sufficiently to check its design ruggedness, the DRDO stated in its expression of interest letter.

(Edited by Tikli Basu)