Indian Field Gun#Variants
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Indian Field Gun
| image = Indian Field Gun.jpg
| image_size = 300
| origin = India
| type = Field gun
| is_ranged = yes
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive = yes
| is_artillery = yes
| is_vehicle =
| is_UK =
| service = 1974 - present
| used_by = See Operators
| wars = Kargil War
| designer = Armament Research and Development Establishment
| design_date = 1972
| manufacturer = * Field Gun Factory, Kanpur (IFG)
| production_date = * 1978–? (IFG)
- 1984-2015 (LFG)
| number = 2400 LFGs (as of 2025)
| variants = See Variants
- Indian Field Gun (IFG)
- Light Field Gun (LFG)
| weight = * {{convert|3,450|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (IFG)
- {{convert|2,380|kg|lb|abbr=on}} (LFG)
| length = {{convert|5.94|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| part_length = * {{convert|2.31|m|ftin|abbr=on}} L/22 (IFG)
- {{convert|3.89|m|ftin|abbr=on}} L/37 (LFG)
| width = {{convert|2.21|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1.73|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| crew =
| cartridge = 105 × 372 mm R
(HE, HESH, Illuminating, BE Smoke)
| caliber = {{convert|105|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| action =
| rate = LFG
- 4 rpm (normal)
- 6 rpm for 10 mins (intense)
- 1 rpm for 2 hours (sustained)
| velocity = {{convert|475|m/s|ft/s|abbr=on}}
| range =
| max_range = * {{convert|17400|m|mi|abbr=on}} (IFG)
- {{convert|17200|m|mi|abbr=on}} to {{convert|20000|m|mi|abbr=on}} (LFG)
| feed =
| sights =
| breech = Horizontal block
| recoil = Hydropneumatic, constant
- {{convert|110|cm|in|abbr=on}} (IFG)
- {{convert|106|cm|in|abbr=on}} (LFG)
| carriage = split trail
| elevation = -5° to +73°
| traverse = 5° left & right from centreline
| ref = {{cite magazine |author= |title=Indian 105mm Light Field Gun |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_janes-international-defense-review-idr_1979_12_8/page/1427/mode/1up?q=LFG |magazine=International Defense Review|volume=12 |issue=8 |location=Geneva |publisher=Interavia |date=1979 |page=1427 |access-date=5 June 2023}}. (Needs login and borrowing to access the specific page).{{Cite web |title=Military Balance India Vs China Part-3 Indian artillery systems |url=https://fullafterburner.weebly.com/next-gen-weapons/military-balance-india-vs-china-part-3-indian-artillery-systems |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=Full Afterburner |language=en}}
}}
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.{{cite news|last=Shukla|first=Ajai|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/155-mm-gun-contract-drdo-enters-the-fray-110072900042_1.html|title=155-mm gun contract: DRDO enters the fray|date=June 29, 2010|newspaper=Business Standard|location=New Delhi, India|access-date=November 8, 2014}}{{Cite web|title=Indian Field Gun 105 mm {{!}} Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India|url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/indian-field-gun-105-mm|access-date=2021-10-03|website=www.drdo.gov.in}} In addition to the GCF, the guns have been manufactured at Gun Carriage Factory Jabalpur.
File:105mm HE and Smoke shell of IFG (Indian Field Gun). (49203821552).jpg
The shells are manufactured at ordnance factories in Ambajhari and Chandrapur.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/81343808.cms|title=Army's in-service guns suffer two barrel bursts|website=The Times of India |date=2021-03-05|access-date=2022-04-06}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://fullafterburner.weebly.com/next-gen-weapons/category/all|title=Military Balance India Vs China Part-3 Indian artillery systems|date=2021-06-16|access-date=2022-04-06}}
File:Ranjit Lal Jetley at the Pragati Maidan Defence exhibition.jpg
Variants
= Towed =
The Indian Field Gun (IFG) weighs {{convert|3,450|kg|abbr=on}}. It has a normal rate of fire of four rounds per minute over ranges from {{convert|2,000–17,400|m|abbr=on}}. 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 {{convert|-27|to|+60|C|abbr=on}}. 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.{{cite web |date= |title=105/37 mm Light Field Gun |url=https://ddpdoo.gov.in/unit/pages/GCF/details/105mm-light-field-gun-mk-ii-lfg- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428021849/https://ofb.gov.in/unit/pages/GCF/details/105mm-light-field-gun-mk-ii-lfg-1 |archive-date=28 April 2021 |access-date=2022-04-07}} Manufacture of the Indian Field Gun began in 1978. There are three variants:
- Indian Field Gun Mark 1
- Indian Field Gun Mark 2
- Indian Field Gun Mark 3
The Light Field Gun (LFG) variant weights {{convert|2,380|kg|abbr=on}}, 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. The manufacture of the Light Field Gun began in 1984. There are two variants:
- Light Field Gun Mark 1
- Light Field Gun Mark 2
= Self propelled =
- OFB 105 mm SPG – consists of a BMP Sarath hull mounted with a light field gun. It was developed by ordnance development centre, Ordnance Factory Medak, but has not been inducted into the Indian Army.
- Garuda 105 (Version 2) – a 105 mm/37 calibre LFG gun is mounted on an all terrain 4×4 wheeled chassis.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-10 |title=India Seeks 105mm Mounted Guns, 155mm ATAGS Clears Trials |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2022/05/10/india-seeks-105mm-mounted-guns-155mm-atags-clears-trials/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Overt Defense |language=en-CA}} This gun has all-terrain maneuverability (including high altitude). Based on the LFG,{{better source needed|date=February 2025}} this gun has been developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems, a subsidiary of Bharat Forge.{{cite web|url=https://www.ddpmod.gov.in/sites/default/files/Second_book.pdf|title=CATALOGUE INDIAN DEFENCE INDUSTRY|date=2022-03-01|access-date=2022-04-06|page=7}}
Operators
- {{flag|India}} : 2,400 FGs in service with the Indian army.{{Cite web |title=Sharang 155mm 45 calibre gun |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/sharang.htm |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.globalsecurity.org}}{{Cite web |title=Watch: Why India used light artillery guns against Pakistan along the LoC - India News |url=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-why-india-used-light-artillery-guns-against-pakistan-along-the-loc-34427/amp |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.wionews.com}} 1,700 are IFGs and 700 are LFGs.{{Cite web |last=deshkeheroes |date=2020-10-21 |title=Top 6 Indian Artillery Guns |url=https://www.deshkeheroesin.com/top-6-indian-artillery-guns/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Desh Ke Heroes |language=en-US}}
- {{flag|Myanmar}} : 10 in service, provided by India.{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|title=SIPRI Trade Register|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|access-date=2020-11-05|archive-date=2010-04-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php|url-status=dead}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{commons category|Indian Field Gun}}