These barrels, which were previously imported and made under license from an Italian defense company, are now being produced for the first time at the Field Gun Factory in Kanpur.
By introducing the first-ever locally produced anti-aircraft gun barrels for its frontline Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) systems, the Indian Navy has reached a significant milestone in its pursuit of independence. These barrels, which are now made at the Field Gun Factory in Kanpur, are a big change from the previous practice of importing them or making them at BHEL Haridwar under license from the Italian defense company OTO Melara.
Over the course of three years, a group of twelve Indian engineers created the new barrels, which should save costs and remove the Navy’s reliance on outside vendors. The Navy has already received two of these barrels, and all upcoming and existing vessels will be outfitted with these domestically produced models. Following the Navy’s active deployments, such those during Operation Sindoor, and its involvement in significant maritime exercises with foreign partners, this development is in line with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) strategy.
With a barrel length of 4,588 mm and the capacity to fire 120 rounds per minute, the SRGM is a medium-calibre, high-speed naval gun system that can fire 76mm shells at targets up to 15 kilometers away. It is very effective against fast-moving threats, like as planes and missiles, and in multi-target situations that are common in contemporary naval warfare because of its quick rate of fire and accuracy.
Through the signature of a ₹2,956.89 crore deal with BHEL Haridwar for the procurement of 16 improved SRGM systems and related components, the Ministry of Defense has significantly strengthened the Navy’s operating capabilities. In addition to lowering maintenance costs and guaranteeing a dependable supply chain, the indigenization of these vital components improves India’s capacity to maintain protracted naval operations without depending on imported components.
India’s defence manufacturing industry has advanced significantly with the domestic production of SRGM barrels, which will increase the Navy’s firepower and the country’s strategic independence.
