Artillery constitutes a major war-winning component of the Indian Army and has performed brilliantly in every conflict fought by the Indian Army since independence. In an interview with SP’s Land Forces team comprising Editor-in-Chief Jayant Baranwal and Editor Lt General (Retd) V.K. Kapoor, the Director General, Artillery, Lt General Vinod Nayanar, spoke about Artillery’s future concepts and roles, modernisation plans, equipment profile and training.

SP’s Land Forces (SP’s): Conceptually within Artillery you now speak of degradation and destruction rather than neutralisation. What are the reasons for this change in concept?

Lt General Vinod Nayanar (DG): The shift in concept from neutralisation to degradation and destruction has come about with the enhanced capability of the Artillery in terms of delivery of larger calibre and more lethal munitions, enhanced precision systems as also greater battlefield transparency in depth. With the above enhancements, Artillery will be able to strike deep with precision and thus will be able to degrade and destroy the targets effectively. Our earlier weapon systems with lighter shells and lower terminal velocity could only neutralise and destroy the targets to a limited extent. The shift, thus, is due to the planned modernisation of Artillery.

SP’s: What are the other modernisation plans of Artillery which are likely to fructify in the near future or in the long run? What is likely to be the ratio of guns, rockets and missiles in the Artillery?

DG: The modernisation plans of Artillery envisages the following:

• Mediumisation of all guns to 155mm calibre.
• Enhanced battlefield transparency by introduction of cutting edge ground based, aerial and space based sensors.
• Integrated and synergised utilisation of firepower and surveillance and target acquisition resources through automated systems i.e. Artillery combat command and control system (ACCCS) and battlefield surveillance system (BSS).

SP’s: What is the new equipment being inducted in the field of surveillance and target acquisition (SATA)?

DG: In the field of SATA, in addition to the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), battlefield surveillance radar (BFSR) and long-range reconnaissance and observation system (LORROS), new equipment being inducted include the electronic theodolite, inertial navigation system, sound ranging system and indigenous weapon locating radar (WLR) system.

SP’s: What is the philosophy for induction of UAVs?

DG: The importance of UAVs in the world over is immense in terms of its potential for operational surveillance in conventional operations as also in counter-insurgency/ counter-terrorism operations. It is also of importance in disaster management roles. Our philosophy towards this is to have a credible capability of various UAV systems to ensure battlefield transparency across the frontage.

SP’s: Is the Army interested in inducting any unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAVs)?

DG: The standoff capability to carry out surgicalv strikes in depth has been demonstrated effectively in various conflicts across the globe. The induction of UCAVs will be carried out in the best interest of national security.

SP’s: What are the basic parameters for the modernisation of Artillery?

DG: The basic parameters for modernisation of Artillery are enhanced surveillance capability, increased range, precision, mobility and lethality of firepower assets. Modernisation, however, would depend on the pace of acquisition of guns and financial outlays provided for induction. Indigenous production capability is another important parameter for sustained modernisation.

SP’s: Artillery technology is undergoing transformation rapidly. What changes do you propose in the existing plans to conform to the latest trends in technology? Which are the new technologies in which the Artillery is interested?

DG: Development in technology is an ongoing process. Acquisition plans for the three Services ensure that they keep pace with the latest technologies available in the world market. Every acquisition plan has a built-in system to ensure any new additions based on emerging technologies. The latest technologies in precision such as sensor fuzed munitions, enhanced range such as the VLAP, sensors of the future including nano technology, and loitering missile system are the fields of interest of Artillery.

SP’s: What has been the result of fielding the ACCCS in the field formations?

DG: The ACCCS equipment is being fielded in the Artillery in three phases. The first phase has been completed and the second phase is going on. The fielding of ACCCS equipment has been quite satisfactory.

SP’s: As part of the battlefield management system (BMS), is every artillery weapon platform going to be a ‘situational awareness platform’ or is this going to be done at the battery level?

DG: For the present, the BMS is planned to be done at the battery level. This may, however, change with the induction of autonomous weapon systems.

SP’s: Based on the new technologies being inducted in the Artillery, how is the training being modified to enable the soldiery to grasp the new technologies?

DG: Keeping the rapid modernisation of Artillery involving large number of new generation equipment like missiles, rockets and surveillance and target acquisition systems, there is definitely a requirement to modify training to enable soldiers to grasp the new technologies. Keeping this in mind, specialist courses/cadres for soldiers are being planned based on new equipment being inducted. The expertise to train is being developed in the School of Artillery and Regiment Centres, for sustained training. For this, timelines for various courses based on equipment induction schedule have been identified and accordingly course structures are being modified. Similarly, emphasis is on enhancement of technical levels as well as personality development in recruits. We are laying focus on dual trade training to enable multi-tasking. We are also working on training the trainers. This is the essence of training in the Artillery. Artillery has to be dynamic and vibrant to meet enhanced future requirements. Therefore, we are incorporating modern methods of training including enhanced use of simulators that will go a long way in meeting our training requirements.

SP’s: Why has the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) not been able to design a new gun for the Artillery? Do we have the capability in our country to design and manufacture modern guns? Has the private sector shown any interest in this field?

DG: DRDO has been successful in developing the Pinaka Rocket System in collaboration with partners from the private sector. I do believe that the DRDO and the private sector have the ability to design and manufacture modern guns too and they are showing considerable interest.

SP’s: Has the concept of Artillery Divisions been successful? What are the advantages of grouping Artillery in a division level organisation?

DG: The concept of Artillery Divisions evolved essentially from the requirement of optimal utilisation of the plethora of weapon systems and upgraded surveillance systems that we have now and plan to have in our inventory. An organisation was needed for command and control, coordination, logistics and communication functions for these. It is a significant value addition in the ‘strike corps scenario’. The Artillery Division effectively coordinates the degradation battle and synergy of all available fire resources. The concept has been successful and it is visualised that in the future there may be a need to have Artillery Division in each theatre.

SP’s: How popular is the selection of Artillery officers for the General Cadre? Do all the officers selected, opt for this option without reservations or do they prefer to serve in their own corps? How many officers are selected for General Cadre in every course, and what is the policy in this regard?

DG: Ours being a command oriented Army, selection to the General Cadre is a matter of professional pride for any ‘other arms officer’, and as such is highly popular in the Artillery as well. Thus a large proportion of officers do opt for General Cadre, depending upon their personal choice and the stage of career at which this is offered to the officer. The process and policy for selection of other arms officers to General Cadre is well established and depends on merit and experience of the officer. Selection of officers for General Cadre is not vacancy based, though a reasonable percentage of officers are offered General Cadre every year.