India’s Homegrown Artillery Ammo Enters Final Trials, Aims to Cut Imports

Image Source: The Hitavada

India is making significant strides toward self-reliance in artillery ammunition, with its first indigenously designed and developed rounds nearing completion. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted multiple firing trials, and the final development-cum-user trials are scheduled for November 2025.

Key Highlights of India’s Indigenous Artillery Ammunition Development:

Successful Testing – Four variants of 155mm artillery ammunition have undergone rigorous testing over the past two years, meeting or exceeding Indian Army performance benchmarks.
Types of Ammunition – The tested rounds include high-explosive shells, smoke rounds, and dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) rounds, which can engage broader target areas.
Industry Collaboration – The ammunition is being developed under the Development Cum Production Partner (DCPP) framework, involving SAI Ammunition India Limited and Economic Explosives, a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure.
Export Potential – India’s projected artillery ammunition demand over the next 15 years is substantial, with significant export opportunities estimated in the thousands of rounds.

Outlook on India’s Defence Self-Reliance

The indigenous artillery ammunition program marks a major milestone in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reducing dependence on foreign imports while strengthening domestic defence manufacturing. With successful trials and mass production on the horizon, India is poised to become a key global supplier of advanced artillery ammunition.

Sources: Moneycontrol, Economic Times.