Indian Army Issues RFI for Indigenous 155mm Precision-Guided Artillery Shells for Howitzers 39 45 52 caliber barrels)
In a significant step towards modernizing its artillery firepower and reinforcing the Make in India initiative, the Indian Army released a Request for Information (RFI) on 23 June 2025 for the procurement of 155mm Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs). These advanced shells are intended for use with all standard howitzer calibers in Indian service — including 39, 45, and 52 caliber barrels — and the RFI submission window remains open until 10 August 2025.
This move is not just a procurement exercise; it represents India's ongoing effort to break free from dependency on foreign high-precision artillery shells and replace them with robust, indigenously-developed alternatives that match global standards in range, accuracy, and lethality.
The Need for Precision in Modern Artillery
Conventional artillery has traditionally relied on area saturation fire. However, the evolution of battlefield tactics and the emphasis on reducing collateral damage have made precision-guided artillery shells essential. These shells offer pinpoint accuracy, often with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters, and are effective against hardened or high-value enemy positions, moving targets, and urban threats.
The Indian Army currently operates a wide variety of 155mm howitzers including the Dhanush, ATAGS, K9 Vajra-T, and M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer, and is now looking to arm these with high-accuracy PGMs developed under the Make in India framework.
RFI Objectives and Key Requirements
The RFI outlines the following goals:
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Indigenous development under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat guidelines
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Compatibility with 39, 45, and 52 caliber howitzers
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Ability to engage static and moving targets with high precision
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Enhanced range of at least 40–50 km for most variants
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Incorporation of guidance systems such as GPS, NavIC, INS, or semi-active laser homing
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Support for different fuse types (point-detonation, delay, airburst)
Indian Developers of 155mm Precision-Guided Munitions
The RFI has attracted the attention of both public and private sector firms, many of which are already developing or testing advanced guided artillery shells.
1. Munitions India Limited (MIL) + IIT Madras
A collaborative project between MIL and IIT Madras is developing precision-guided 155mm artillery shells with:
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CEP < 10m
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GPS/NavIC-based navigation
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Multi-mode fuzing (airburst, delayed, impact)
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Target range up to 48 km
This project aims to deliver India’s first fully indigenous smart artillery round optimized for Dhanush and ATAGS systems.
2. DRDO’s Guided Projectile
Revealed at Aero India 2025, DRDO showcased a fin-stabilized guided 155mm shell:
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Length: ~1 meter; Weight: ~50 kg
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Range: Up to 50 km
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Integrated GPS/INS guidance
The projectile is designed for compatibility with existing 155mm platforms and is undergoing internal evaluation trials.
3. Ramjet-Propelled Precision Shell
Another DRDO-IIT collaborative venture involves ramjet propulsion technology to push the guided shell’s range beyond 60 km, while maintaining a high hit probability. This is currently in the prototype phase and could eventually serve long-range artillery such as ATAGS and K9 Vajra-T.
4. Reliance Defence – Diehl Defence Partnership
In one of the most ambitious private-sector efforts, Reliance Defence, in collaboration with Diehl Defence (Germany), is setting up facilities to locally manufacture the Vulcano 155mm PGMs. These shells use:
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GPS and inertial navigation
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Precision glide fins for mid-course correction
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Range: Over 70 km
The licensed production is expected to start in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, with a long-term goal of delivering both guided and extended-range ammunition for Indian and export markets.
5. Kalyani Group (Bharat Forge)
While primarily focused on gun systems, Kalyani Strategic Systems is also investing in guided projectile development, with shell body manufacturing and integration of terminal guidance kits.
6. Other Notable Contributors
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Solar Industries (Nagpur): Known for its work in loitering munitions and missile boosters, Solar is well-placed to assist with payload and guidance tech integration.
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Goodluck India: Engaged in forging artillery shell bodies and components with claimed capacity to produce over 150,000 shells annually, potentially including PGMs.
Strategic Implications
The RFI is a strategic move that underscores India’s shift from traditional firepower to precision-based battlefield dominance. Guided munitions significantly reduce ammunition wastage and logistic burden while enhancing strike effectiveness against entrenched, fortified, or time-sensitive targets.
This initiative also reflects a clear policy direction from the Ministry of Defence to prioritize indigenous content, promote public-private partnership, and create a globally competitive defense manufacturing ecosystem.
With the successful execution of these projects, India can drastically reduce its reliance on foreign imports like the Krasnopol (Russia) and Excalibur (U.S.), while simultaneously paving the way for exports of locally manufactured PGMs to friendly foreign countries.
As the RFI deadline of 10 August 2025 approaches, Indian developers have a crucial window to demonstrate technical maturity, scalable production capabilities, and battlefield effectiveness. With trials, prototype demonstrations, and procurement evaluations set to follow, the road ahead looks promising for India’s artillery precision programs.
This RFI is not merely a procurement document — it is a signal of transformation. One that moves India from being an importer of precision firepower to becoming a creator and exporter of smart battlefield solutions.
