Indian Army Deploys Third Regiment of Indigenous Dhanush Artillery Guns: Major Boost for 2025 Firepower

With over 114 Dhanush artillery guns scheduled for induction by 2026, the Indian Army is making significant strides in modernising its frontline firepower to meet emerging security challenges. On June 21, 2025, the Army took a vital step by officially commissioning its third regiment of indigenous Dhanush artillery guns. This achievement not only underscores India’s dedication to the “Make in India” initiative but also supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision for defence self-reliance.

The latest deployment of the Dhanush artillery guns enhances indigenous firepower, marking a strategic advancement in India’s defence capabilities. Positioned as a critical asset for ensuring border security, the Dhanush artillery is poised to reinforce the Army’s operational strength and technological edge on the frontline. As India continues to bolster its defence infrastructure, the commissioning of the Dhanush artillery gun in 2025 symbolises a new era of self-reliance and enhanced military readiness.

Key Details of the Third Regiment

India’s Dhanush artillery gun marks a significant achievement in indigenous defence manufacturing, showcasing years of dedicated technological advancement under the “Make in India” initiative. Designed and developed by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), the Dhanush is the first long-range 155mm/45-calibre towed howitzer produced entirely in India, representing a major improvement over the earlier Bofors FH 77 guns. Its commissioning not only enhances the operational strength of the Indian Army but also highlights the country’s growing self-reliance in critical defence technologies.

Key Indigenous Features of Dhanush

Why This Matters for You

• For Defence Aspirants & Students: Dhanush stands out as a captivating highlight in current affairs, especially for NDA and defence exams. This impressive artillery system showcases India’s remarkable advancements in indigenous technology and its commitment to achieving strategic self-reliance.
• For Citizens & Enthusiasts: The commissioning of the third Dhanush regiment demonstrates India’s engineering capabilities and supports the Army’s modernisation efforts, enhancing border security and operational readiness.
• For Policy & Industry Watchers: Dhanush’s success story highlights the effectiveness of the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision in the defence sector, involving Indian research and development, public sector undertakings, and private industry partners.

Understanding the indigenous development and features of the Dhanush artillery gun provides valuable insights into how India is bolstering its frontline capabilities with homegrown technology. This marks a proud milestone for the nation and is an important update for anyone following advancements in Indian defence.

Indigenous Technology & Features

The Dhanush is India’s first indigenously developed 155mm/45-calibre towed artillery gun, marking a significant technological advancement over the legacy Bofors system. It boasts a strike range of up to 38 km with standard ammunition and up to 48 km with specialised rounds, greatly exceeding the range of the older Bofors FH-77, which had a range of 27–30 km. This improvement is achieved through a longer barrel, enhanced fire control systems, and advanced targeting capabilities. Notably, over 80% of Dhanush’s components are sourced domestically, making maintenance and upgrades more accessible and cost-effective. Key enhancements include an auto-laying system, inertial navigation, onboard ballistic computation, and compatibility with NATO-standard ammunition, showcasing India’s growing self-reliance and engineering expertise in artillery manufacturing.

Dhanush vs Bofors: Key Indigenous Advancements

These indigenous developments ensure that the Dhanush not only strengthens the Indian Army’s frontline firepower but also sets a benchmark for future “Make in India” defence projects. This helps aspirants, students, and enthusiasts understand the nation’s growing capabilities in advanced artillery systems.

Operational Significance

The operational significance of the Dhanush artillery gun lies in its ability to significantly enhance the Indian Army’s firepower and flexibility along sensitive borders, particularly the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. With a strike range of nearly 38 km and advanced onboard computing and GPS-based navigation, the Dhanush enables precise, all-weather targeting in high-altitude and rugged terrain environments where operational adaptability is crucial. With over 80% indigenous content, the Dhanush ensures reliable logistics and rapid maintenance, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and enhancing long-term readiness.

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Its deployment in Ladakh and other frontier regions strengthens India’s deterrence posture, allowing the Army to respond swiftly to emerging threats. Additionally, it supports the nation’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing. This makes the Dhanush a cornerstone in modernising artillery regiments and securing India’s borders with advanced, homegrown technology.

Quick Facts: What You Need to Know About Dhanush Artillery Gun Deployment

• Date of Induction: The Third regiment raising began on June 21, 2025; the first Dhanush gun was inducted in April 2019.
• Number of Regiments & Guns: 3 regiments operational/raising; each regiment has 18 guns; total plan for 114 guns across six regiments by 2026.
• Key Features: 155mm/45-calibre, range up to 36 km (6 km more than Bofors), advanced targeting, all-weather and rugged terrain capability.
• Indigenous Production Status: Over 80% indigenous content (targeting 90%), produced by Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL).
• Strategic Significance: Enhances the Indian Army’s firepower along sensitive borders like the LAC, boosts self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat, and streamlines logistics and maintenance.

Dhanush represents a key element in India’s artillery modernisation, providing a clear, exam-ready summary of its operational and strategic significance for aspiring readers.

Author’s Word on Indian Army’s Dhanush Artillery Gun Deployment 2025

The induction of the third regiment of India’s indigenous Dhanush artillery guns marks a significant milestone in the country’s defence modernisation efforts. This achievement not only reflects technological self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative but also enhances India’s frontline firepower, particularly along sensitive borders such as the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The Dhanush artillery system’s advanced features, including its extended range and sophisticated targeting systems, highlight India’s growing expertise in artillery manufacturing. For defence aspirants and enthusiasts, this development emphasises the importance of indigenous innovation in strengthening national security and serves as a crucial current affairs milestone in 2025.