Regiment of Artillery – the Second-Largest Arm of the Indian Army

vThe history of the Regiment of Artillery dates almost 200 years back to September 28, 1827, when Bombay Artillery, later renamed 5 Bombay Mountain Battery, was raised. This day is celebrated every year by the Regiment of Artillery as Gunners Day.

By Neeraj Mahajan

Admin Opinion

Every year the 28th of September is celebrated as Gunners Day.  Almost 200 years back on September 28, 1827 the foundation of the 8th Company of the Golandaz Battalion, also called Bombay Foot Artillery was laid. It was later renamed 5 Bombay Mountain Battery.

 

The Regiment of Artillery is the second-largest arm of the Indian Army and traces its origin to the Royal Indian Artillery (RIA) of the British Indian Army and the Bombay Artillery. It constitutes almost one-sixth of the total strength of the Indian Army.

At the time of independence, eighteen and a half regiments of the Royal Indian Artillery were allotted to India while the remaining nine and a half units went to Pakistan.

 

Lt. Gen. Prem Singh Gyani – was the first Indian artillery officer to command the 2 Indian Field Regiment — an Indian field regiment. Likewise, Brig F. S. B. Mehta was – the first Indian Artillery officer to wear the wings of the Air Observation Post (Air OP), now known as the Army Aviation Corps. He was also said to be the only Indian officer to have flown with a British Air Observation Post Squadron during the Second World War

The Regiment of Artillery’s motto is ‘Sarvatra Izzat-O-Iqbal’, which means ‘everywhere with honour and glory.

 
The Regiment of Artillery has shown its prowess in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, Sino-Indian War of 1962, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the Kargil War. The regiment has also produced five Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army

The Regiment of Artillery showed its prowess in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, the Sino-Indian War of 1962, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and the Kargil War.

The regiment has produced five Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army namely Gen P.P. Kumaramangalam, Gen O. P. Malhotra, Gen S. F. Rodrigues, Gen S. Padmanabhan and Gen Deepak Kapoor.

The gunners and gun take pride, literally worship their cannons, missiles, mortars, guns, rocket launchers, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Artillery has four main roles to perform on any battlefield. That is:

  • Provide fire support to friendly forces
  • Suppress the enemy fire
  • Force the enemy to keep its head down and to save themselves from a near and certain death
  • Break up the enemy force concentration
The introduction of artificial intelligence, satellite communication, UAVs, networked electronic systems, self-propelled and automated artillery weapon systems, in all types of terrains have increased the effectiveness of artillery and highlighted its role as a decisive arm on the battlefield

Artillery is today extensively being deployed in counter-insurgency (CI) operations in Jammu and Kashmir and north-east India.

The introduction of artificial intelligence, satellite communication, UAVs, networked electronic systems, self-propelled and automated artillery weapon systems, in all types of terrains have increased the effectiveness of artillery and focused the spotlight on its role as a decisive arm on the battlefield.

Since independence, the Regiment of Artillery has been divided into the Field Artillery (Regiment of Artillery), Air Defence Artillery (now Army Air Defence) and Army Aviation Corps.

Firepower

The firepower of artillery during various stages of battles is as follows:

Counterbattery fire: delivered for the purpose of destroying or neutralizing the enemy’s fire support system.

  • Pre-Arranged Fire: Planned beforehand to cause maximum destruction of enemy targets
  • Counter-preparation fire: Engaging and silencing enemy guns to make them think twice before attacking.
  • Opportunity Fire: To take advantage of an operational situation.
  • Observed Fire: Observing the damage done and correcting the angle or trajectory of fire to cause maximum damage.
  • Degradation Fire: Destroy the enemy’s operational capabilities before the operation begins.
  • Interdiction Fire: Cut off the enemy’s movements, logistics and vital communication links
  • Covering Fire: Provide fire support to own forces before or during an attack or retreat
  • Defensive Fire. Inflict heavy casualties on enemy forces to divert their attention
  • Harassing Fire- Instil the fear of God in the mind of the enemy and break their resolve to fight
  • Preparatory Fire: Combined arms fire to weaken the enemy before the start of an attack.

Artillery Armaments

The standard artillery weapons of the Indian Army include:

Light: 120mm Mortar

Field: 105mm Field Gun, 122 mm D-30 Howitzer

Medium: 155mm M-777

Self-propelled Artillery: 105 mm self-propelled gun, 155 mm K9 Vajra

Howitzers: 155m Dhanush, 130 mm M46

Mortars: 120mm, range of about 5 to 9 km

Rocket Launchers: BM-21 and Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher

Missiles:  Bramhos, Prithvi, Agni, Prahaar, Pralay and Shaurya

Surveillance & Target Acquisition: UAV Drones (Heron) System, LORROS (Long Range Reconnaissance and Observation Systems), MBFSR (Medium Range Battlefield Surveillance Radar) System and Short Range Battle Field Surveillance Radar System

The regiment of Artillery has over the ages made its presence felt and changed the outcome of many battles. It is a vital organ of the army even today and will remain so in future as well.

-The writer is a seasoned media professional with over three decades of experience in print, electronic, and web media. He is presently Editor of Taazakhabar News