Gunners Shot

https://www.dailyo.in/variety/defence-equipment-armed-forces-cash-strapped-army-defence-forces-make-in-india/story/1/24811.html VARIETY  |  7-minute read  |    12-06-2018 LT-GEN PR SHANKAR (RETD)   Two recent incidents evoked emotions which I felt I should share with everyone. We recently lost a dynamic Air Commodore in a tragic crash flying a 30-year-old aircraft and numerous articles indicate that the US is trying to block the purchase of the S400 air defence system from Russia. These are umbilically linked. Most of our defence equipment is old and the numbers are fast dwindling. This is not a state secret. Replacements do not seem to be on the horizon. Our procurement whether indigenous or foreign is mired in riddles beyond Harry Potter. With each passing day, our strategic strength and independence are weakening. India is punching far below its potential. The man on ground does not have the best machines to defend the nation. It is clear that there is a price tag on the strategic p

https:// Watch out! India set to have world's most fearsome artillery Our surveillance, target acquisition and retaliatory capabilities are climbing a 'never before' path. POLITICS  |  5-minute read  |    23-05-2017 LT-GEN PR SHANKAR (RETD)   A few days ago, the arrival of the first two 155mm M777 ultra-light howitzers on Indian soil was hailed by the media. This was preceded by signing of a contract for the purchase of 100 self-propelled tracked 155 mm howitzers from L&T. On Republic Day, the indigenous 155mm Dhanush gun and the indigenous ATAGS (advanced towed artillery gun system) were paraded on Rajpath. These moments are a source of pride for old gunners like me. Clearly, the transformative path of Indian artillery is a visible and palpable reality. As things unfold we will have multiple capabilities across the tactical, operational and strategic spectrum. In future, artillery will be the mainstay of India’s combat capabilities, which will deter its adversaries. It

It's such a shame fake Chinese parts were used in India-made Dhanush guns A strong artillery is a prerequisite for the defence of the nation. VOICES  |  6-minute read  |    24-07-2017 LT-GEN PR SHANKAR (RETD) https://www.dailyo.in/voices/fake-chinese-parts-dhanush-guns-artillery-bofors/story/1/18561.html   Two recent news reports have given rise to a sense of dread and unease in me. The first was that of fake Chinese parts being used in the  Dhanush guns  manufactured by the Ordnance Factories Board (OFB). The second that one Dhanush gun had failed in the user exploitation phase when its  muzzle brake  was damaged. They are not isolated incidents. Both have serious implications and need to be viewed and analysed in conjunction with each other. They are symptoms of a chronic disorder and that need to be set right. The idea is that at the end of the day we should get good indigenous 155mm Dhanush guns in adequate numbers and in a required time-frame. Let me talk of the Chinese parts

Accidents during firing of guns have been a part and parcel of a gunner’s life since time immemorial. POLITICS  |  8-minute read  |    24-08-2017 LT-GEN PR SHANKAR (RETD) https://www.dailyo.in/politics/k-9-howitzer-south-korea-firing-accident-india/story/1/19136.html   Last week there was an accident during the firing of the 155mm  Gun K-9 Thunder  in South Korea in which two of their soldiers were killed. This was reported in  The Korea Herald  on August 21. As per the report, it appears to be an ammunition-related accident, which is under investigation. Some doubts have been raised in sections of our  media   over the reliability of the gun since private sector defence major Larsen & Toubro and South Korean firm Hanwha Techwin on April 21 have signed a $720-million contract for executing the artillery gun programme for the  Indian Army .   For the uninitiated, it is a genuine doubt. In the same vein, various facets of this issue need to be understood in its correct perspective so

https://www.dailyo.in/variety/kerala-flood-rescue-op-afspa-dilution-extra-judicial-killings-indian-army-saviours-or-killers/story/1/26294.html VARIETY  |  9-minute read  |   27-08-2018 Lt-Gen PR Shankar (retd)   Armymen too are human beings and please grant them some rights.