Experts mull barrel technology

Barrel technology of an <g data-gr-id="36">ultra light</g> howitzer remained under a technology denial regime for long, and still remains a controlled item. Doubts are being expressed by certain sections of the scientific community that M-777 Ultra Light Howitzers (ULH) of the BAE Systems may not get transferred to the Indian private joint venture partner, unless the whole production line is shifted to the country.

In fact, a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) source say that they had been working on the titanium-based alloy barrel for some time and had sought seven years about a decade ago to develop it. But the army had said then they cannot wait for that long.

DRDO had been using titanium for their rocketry for <g data-gr-id="28">long,</g> because it is light-weight. The problem of working with titanium as it Oxidises too soon. That is the reason it requires to be an alloy.

The Dhanush howitzer, which Ordnance Factory Board has built and is working through trials has a steel barrel. <g data-gr-id="32">Its</g> heavy. The barrel has been built out of a DRDO technology.

The Rs 4,900-crore deal for 145 guns will include a towed system that can be carried underslung by a helicopter to be deployed in the mountain heights. 

If one recalls the Kargil War, the difference made at those heights was made by Bofors guns. They were the last major items procured for the Indian Army’s artillery wing.

The M-777 ULH will be the a force multiplier for the Indian Army, but security analysts doubts whether they can ever be used in a war that Indian armed forces will have to fight in the <g data-gr-id="35">nect</g> two decades.