When we think about cannons we get an image of an old large calibre gun which was used in protecting forts or even demolishing enemy forts. You might have seen them in some movies.
But did you know that the cannons are still protecting the Indian borders as they are used in Indian Defence.
They come under the classification of artillery in the Indian Defence.
When it comes to artillery India came at third position in the world only after Russia and South Korea.
What is artillery ?
Artillery is a class of heavy military ranged weapons that launch munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, and led to heavy, fairly immobile siege engines. As technology improved, lighter, more mobile field artillery cannons developed for battlefield use. According to the Global Firepower Index 2022, it is estimated that India has 3,311 artillery.
Indian Artillery regiment
The Regiment of Artillery is a combat/fighting arm of the Indian Army. It provides massive firepower during all ground operations of the Indian Army.
Today, it is the second-largest arm of the Indian Army. It constitutes almost one-sixth of its total strength. These include 1,580 towed gun systems (TGS), 814 mounted gun systems (MGS), 100 self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and 145 BAE Systems M777 155 mm/39 calibre.
A howitzer falls between a cannon and a mortar, which fires shells at flat trajectories and at high angles. The towed artillery guns are wheeled guns that can be air-transported to support light infantry and are towed behind their “prime movers” . They provide minimal protection for their crews. Firing the large shells at a rapid rate is heavy physical work.
Know about the battle tanks of India
Indian Army operates 7 kinds of Howitzers which are given below :-
| Name | Quantity | Firing Range |
| Dhanush Howitzers | 12 | 38 Km |
| BAE Systems M777 | 89 | 21 Km to 40 Km |
| Haubits FH77A/B | 410 | 24 Km to 60+ Km |
| M-46 Sharang | 1100 | 27.5 Km to 38 Km |
| OFB Indian Field Gun MK | 1700 | 30 Km |
| DRDO Advanced Towed Artillery Defence System (ATAGS) | 7 | 52 Km to 60+ Km |
References from :-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_equipment_of_the_Indian_Army#Artillery_systems
